Systems Engineer 3 (Autonomy Systems)

Role: Systems Engineer 3 – Autonomy Systems
Duration: 12 months
Location: Mossville, IL – Tech Center Building A / Peoria, IL – Proving Ground AA
Interview Process: Two rounds — first round virtual; second round technical interview, either in person or virtual
Experience: 5–7 years
Rate: $40-$43

Job Summary

Systems Engineer 3 – Autonomy Systems to support the Surface Loading Autonomy team in developing next-generation autonomous construction machines, including articulated trucks, hydraulic excavators, and wheel loaders.

The engineer will focus on integrating autonomy hardware and software with base machines, defining system requirements and architecture, conducting system integration and validation, and troubleshooting issues in laboratory and on-machine environments. This role requires hands-on experience with autonomous systems, onboard electronics, machine communication protocols, and system commissioning.

Key Responsibilities

• Integrate autonomous systems and hardware with base machines, including articulated trucks, excavators, and wheel loaders.
• Install, configure, and test autonomy hardware and systems on machines.
• Flash software onto machines and validate proper system functionality.
• Perform on-machine commissioning of autonomy hardware and support prototype machine builds, updates, and testing.
• Monitor and validate CAN and Ethernet traffic to ensure proper communication and data flow.
• Troubleshoot connectivity and data issues involving wiring, harnesses, sensors, positioning systems, and time synchronization.
• Collaborate with machine development, autonomy engineering, systems integration, and validation teams to resolve technical issues.
• Decompose customer requirements into achievable system-level technical requirements.
• Support system architecture definition, integration, functional testing, and validation activities.
• Document system requirements, architecture, design decisions, success criteria, and traceability.
• Evaluate technical risks and communicate system readiness, design trade-offs, and progress to stakeholders.
• Coordinate activities across autonomy development, machine systems, and validation teams.
• Support the development, implementation, rollout, and ongoing support of production autonomous systems.

Required Qualifications

• 5–7 years of relevant professional experience in systems engineering, product development, or autonomous systems integration.
• Bachelor’s degree in an accredited Engineering, Computer Science, or related field.
• Demonstrated experience supporting product development teams through hardware and software integration.
• Experience collaborating with systems integration and validation teams to test and validate products in laboratory and on-machine environments.
• Knowledge of autonomous systems hardware, including cameras, LiDAR, radar, GNSS, and IMUs.
• Experience with on-machine electrical systems, wiring, harnessing, and troubleshooting practices.
• Knowledge of communication protocols and autonomy software integration, including CAN, Ethernet, and ROS 2.
• Ability to translate complex customer requirements into system-level technical requirements.
• Strong technical documentation, problem-solving, communication, and collaboration skills.
• Ability to work independently and effectively with cross-functional and global teams.

Top 3 Required Skills

1. Autonomy Systems Integration: Experience integrating autonomous hardware and software into machines or other complex products.
2. Systems Validation and Troubleshooting: Experience with system integration, functional testing, validation, and troubleshooting in lab and on-machine environments.
3. Construction Equipment Knowledge: Familiarity with articulated dump trucks, hydraulic excavators, wheel loaders, or comparable heavy equipment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in the construction equipment, mining, or heavy machinery industry.
• Familiarity with Caterpillar Command or comparable centralized machine control and autonomy architectures.
• Experience supporting production products from design and implementation through customer rollout and support.
• Knowledge of C and autonomous software development.
• Master’s degree in an autonomy-related field.
• Experience working with cross-functional engineering teams on complex machine systems.

Key Competencies

• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and decision-making skills.
• Ability to communicate complex technical concepts and design trade-offs clearly.
• Strong documentation and requirements traceability practices.
• Ability to influence technical decisions through data, evidence, and engineering expertise.
• Effective stakeholder management and cross-functional collaboration.
• Ability to balance time, resources, technical risks, and product quality.

Work Environment

The engineer will work within a team of approximately 6–10 people supporting a larger autonomy development program across multiple locations. The role involves working on or near machines at the proving ground, as well as performing engineering activities in an office or laboratory environment. Required personal protective equipment, including safety glasses, safety shoes, and reflective vests, will be provided.