Lead UX/UI Designer

Career Area:
Technology, Digital and Data
Job Description:
Your Work Shapes the World at Caterpillar Inc.
When you join Caterpillar, you're joining a global team who cares not just about the work we do - but also about each other. We are the makers, problem solvers, and future world builders who are creating stronger, more sustainable communities. We don't just talk about progress and innovation here - we make it happen, with our customers, where we work and live. Together, we are building a better world, so we can all enjoy living in it.
Cat Digital is the digital and technology arm of Caterpillar Inc., leveraging the latest technologies to build industry leading digital solutions for our customers and dealers. With over 1.5 million connected assets worldwide, our teams use data, technology, advanced analytics, telematics, and AI capabilities to help our customers build a better, more sustainable world.
Job Summary:
At Caterpillar, User Experience extends far beyond the display. We design how people interact with machines, embedded systems, software, automation, and connected ecosystems to create experiences that are intuitive, integrated, and trusted.
We're seeking a Lead UX Designer who enjoys tackling complex problems and turning them into experiences that feel simple and intuitive. This role focuses on shaping the digital experiences within Caterpillar's operator environments, helping create workflows that span machine displays, controls, embedded systems, and connected technologies.
As a design leader, you'll partner closely with Product Management, Engineering, and software teams to help define solutions that balance customer needs, technical realities, and business objectives. You'll contribute to the evolution of operator experiences, help teams navigate ambiguity, and ensure Human-Centered Design remains central throughout the product lifecycle.
Success in this role requires strong systems thinking, curiosity, and collaboration. You'll be equally comfortable discussing interaction details with engineers, facilitating discussions with stakeholders, and learning directly from customers in the field.
If you're energized by complex systems, fascinated by how people interact with technology, and enjoy solving problems that extend beyond a single screen, we'd love to talk.
What You'll Do:

• Lead Human-Centered Design activities from discovery through implementation across complex product initiatives.
• Help shape how operators interact with Caterpillar machines by designing workflows, interactions, and digital experiences that span displays, controls, software, and connected technologies.
• Design experiences that connect what happens inside the cab with what happens outside of it across machine displays, mobile applications, embedded systems, and connected services.
• Partner with Product Managers to identify customer needs, frame opportunities, and influence product direction.
• Facilitate workshops and collaborative working sessions that align teams around customer problems and opportunities.
• Collaborate closely with Engineering teams to ensure designs are feasible, effective, and successfully implemented.
• Conduct customer interviews, contextual inquiry, and observational research to better understand operator needs, workflows, and environments.
• Participate in occasional travel to customer locations, jobsites, dealerships, and test environments to conduct field studies and gather firsthand customer insights.
• Mentor designers and contribute to a collaborative, growth-oriented design culture.
• Advocate for Human-Centered Design throughout the product development lifecycle.
• Contribute to design systems, interaction patterns, and UX best practices.
• Create prototypes, simulations, and experience concepts that help teams evaluate ideas, validate assumptions, and align around future-state solutions.

What You Will Have:
Creativity: Knowledge of the approaches, tools, and techniques for promoting creative, original thinking and ability to apply it to a variety of business situations.
Decision Making and Critical Thinking: Knowledge of the decision-making process and associated tools and techniques; ability to accurately analyze situations and reach productive decisions based on informed judgment.
Computer Software Industry: Knowledge of computer software industry; ability to understand future products, vendors, technologies, issues, and trends and directions.
Human-Centered Design (HCD): Knowledge of Human-Centered Design model, principle, and concepts; ability to understand the perspective of people who experience a problem, their needs, and provide them with a solution which truly meets their needs effectively.
User Experience Design: Knowledge of user experience design tools, techniques and approaches; ability to design applications that are valued, positively perceived and used by clients.
User Interface Design: Knowledge of user-centered design principles and human-computer interaction; ability to design and develop intuitive, visually appealing, and user-friendly interfaces that meet business goals and user needs.
Considerations for Top Candidates:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.
• 10+ years of experience in User Experience Design, Product Design, Human-Centered Design, or a related field.
• Strong portfolio demonstrating systems thinking and solving complex workflow or interaction challenges.
• Experience designing enterprise, industrial, embedded, connected, or highly technical products.
• Experience partnering closely with Product Management and Engineering teams.
• Demonstrated ability to lead initiatives and influence decisions across cross-functional teams.
• Strong communication, facilitation, and storytelling skills.
• Experience mentoring designers and contributing to a strong design culture.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience designing products that combine hardware and software experiences.
• Familiarity with Human Machine Interface (HMI) design principles.
• Experience designing embedded user interfaces and operator workflows.
• Experience within industrial equipment, construction, mining, agriculture, manufacturing, robotics, automotive, aviation, medical devices, or similar domains.
• Experience designing connected products and digital ecosystems.
• Experience creating interactive prototypes using tools such as ProtoPie, Figma, or similar platforms.
• Ability to prototype interactions involving physical controls, displays, machine states, and connected systems.
• Experience using customer research, telemetry, and analytics to inform design decisions.
• Familiarity with accessibility and inclusive design principles.

We're looking for someone who sees beyond individual screens and understands how complete systems work together.
The ideal candidate is naturally curious, energized by complex challenges, and comfortable navigating ambiguity. They know how to connect customer needs, technical realities, and business goals to create experiences that feel intuitive and trustworthy.
They're equally comfortable discussing interaction details with engineers, facilitating workshops with stakeholders, and observing customers in the field to uncover new opportunities.
Most importantly, they understand that great UX isn't about adding more functionality. It's about helping sophisticated technology feel understandable, predictable, and useful for the people who depend on it every day.
Additional Information
Sponsorship is NOT available for this role.
Relocation is NOT offered for this position.
Join us.
A Final Thought
Most UX designers spend their careers helping people buy things, stream things, or click things.
Here, you'll help people move tons of material, build infrastructure, and get real work done.
If that sounds like your kind of challenge, apply today!
What You Will Get
Working with a Fortune 100 leader, you can build your career on a global scale and take advantage of development opportunities with emerging technologies. We've created an inclusive environment for you to explore your passions, make an impact, and do work that really matters.
About Caterpillar:
Caterpillar Inc. is the world's leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, off-highway diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines and diesel-electric locomotives. For nearly 100 years, we've been helping customers build a better, more sustainable world and are committed and contributing to a reduced-carbon future. Our innovative products and services, backed by our global dealer network, provide exceptional value that helps customers succeed.
Summary Pay Range:
$128,470.00 - $208,770.00
Compensation and benefits offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, job level, market location, job-related knowledge, skills, individual performance and experience. Please note that salary is only one component of total compensation at Caterpillar.
Benefits:
Subject to plan eligibility, terms, and guidelines. This is a summary list of benefits.

• Medical, dental, and vision benefits*
• Paid time off plan (Vacation, Holidays, Volunteer, etc.)*
• 401(k) savings plans*
• Health Savings Account (HSA)*
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)*
• Health Lifestyle Programs*
• Employee Assistance Program*
• Voluntary Benefits and Employee Discounts*
• Career Development*
• Incentive bonus*
• Disability benefits
• Life Insurance
• Parental leave
• Adoption benefits
• Tuition Reimbursement

* These benefits also apply to part-time employees
Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position.
Posting Dates:
July 22, 2026 - July 29, 2026
Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the successful completion of a drug screen.
Caterpillar is an Equal Opportunity Employer, Including Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities. Qualified applicants of any age are encouraged to apply.
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