Principal Digital Program Manager - Applied AI & Strategic Partnerships

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.
Job Summary:
The AI Accelerator is a key enabler of Caterpillar's next chapter - designed to enable and scale AI adoption and progress across the enterprise. Its mission is to identify opportunities, run experiments, accelerate adoption, ensure AI value realization, support strategic partner engagement, and help develop the frameworks to scale AI solutions globally.
The Portfolio Manager for the AI Accelerator will be responsible for orchestrating the end-to-end lifecycle of AI initiatives across Caterpillar's enterprise functions. This role ensures strategic alignment, prioritization, and execution of AI projects that drive measurable business impact. You will serve as the connective tissue between business segments, technical teams, and executive stakeholders-enabling velocity, visibility, and value realization across the AI portfolio.
What You Will Do:

• Initiate and manage a portfolio of relationships across multiple internal and external teams. Operate in ambiguous and evolving environments and set up foundational processes for new initiatives.
• Establish project management infrastructure, including teams, SharePoint, Confluence, and Azure DevOps, and works to standardize best practices and reporting.
• Managing the day-to-day activities of projects, including overseeing project responsibilities and schedules. Developing contingency plans for potential risks.
• Directing and motivating project teams.
• Evaluating and managing deliverables to ensure that service expectations are achievable, developed, and met.
• Monitoring project results for significant deviations. Ensuring adherence to quality standards and processes.
• Prepare weekly and monthly updates for senior leadership, including the CEO, and manage expectations around reporting demands.

What You Will Have:

• Planning: Tactical, Strategic: Extensive knowledge of effective planning and facilitation techniques and ability to contribute to operational (short term), tactical (1-2 years) and strategic (3-5 years) planning in support of the overall business plan. Ability to communicate clearly with senior leadership and technical teams, and comfortable advocating for the team.
• Project Administration: Extensive knowledge of project administration best practices and ability to use organizational strategies, practices and tools for administering projects. Ability to work autonomously, Push back on excessive oversight requests, advocate for realistic deadlines, and ensures team recognition and well-being.
• Decision Making and Critical Thinking: Extensive knowledge of the decision-making process and associated tools and techniques; ability to accurately analyze situations and reach productive decisions based on informed judgment.
• Data Gathering and Reporting: Extensive knowledge of tools, techniques and processes for gathering and reporting data; ability to practice them in a particular department or division of a company.
• Implementation: Working knowledge of how to run applications for organizations; ability to implement application software within an organization and help end-users perform specific tasks (ex: accounting or graphic design).IT Project Management: Extensive knowledge of project management; ability to plan, organize, monitor and control IT projects using appropriate technical resources.
• IT Standards, Procedures & Policies: Working knowledge of Information Technology (IT) standards and policies; ability to utilize a variety of administrative skill sets and technical knowledge to manage organizational IT policies, standards, and procedures.

Considerations for Top Candidates:

• Extensive program management leadership experience working with Software Engineering teams in an agile environment (typically 8+ years)
• Proven experience with Project Management concepts including Project Charters, Scheduling and Planning Projects and successful completion
• Extensive previous technical and Project Management experience in applications development with a broad background in systems hardware, system software, support and development methodologies, business planning, project management, and customer application needs. (typically 5+ years)
• Working knowledge of JIRA and Azure DevOps (formerly VSTS), Confluence
• Advance knowledge of Excel, MS PowerPoint, and MS Project
• Excellent interpersonal skills are required in order to deal with sensitive issues, develop others, or influence others inside and outside the department to take specific actions.
• Strong communication and presentation skills
• Change Management Certification preferred
• Six Sigma Black Belt Certification desirable
• Knowledge of Power BI is highly desirable
• PMP certification preferred
• Certified Scrum Master (CSM) preferred
• Previous agile training (spring planning, daily scrums, sprint, retrospective)

Additional Information:
This position will have the option to be based out of our Chicago, IL; Peoria, IL; Denver, CO or Irving, TX offices.
#LI
#BI (used to post on Built In Chicago)
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 the work that really matters. Join Us.
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:
$147,760.00 - $221,640.00
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
This position requires working onsite five days a week.
Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position.
Posting Dates:
March 23, 2026 - April 5, 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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