Principal Program Manager

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:
Drive software project and program delivery for Caterpillar's equipment management portfolio, leading foundational platform capabilities that power dealer and customer-facing applications. Partner cross-functionally with engineering, business, and application stakeholders to deliver scalable, high-quality solutions that improve fleet visibility, operational efficiency, and overall user experience.
What You Will Do:
The Principal Program Manager is accountable for ensuring successful completion of complex programs, on-time, within budget, and error-free. The principal responsibility of the Program Manager is to manage the planning and execution of project team members. The incumbent will be responsible for managing the project charter, communications, metrics, reporting, and the overall project plan and budget.

• Incumbent will support various project teams and obtain/provide a variety of information starting at concept stage and continuing through prototype, pilot, implementation and follow-up stages of various projects
• Develop and produce project management schedules.
• Use professional project management tools and techniques to manage reporting, tracking charts, checklist, and project scheduling software and to delegate appropriately.
• Manage change and take active leadership in timely decision making.
• Manage schedules that reflect detailed information related to the changes, including effected components and functions, timelines for various stages of project completion, cost, etc.
• Will work with the individual team members from multiple functional disciplines and customers to establish completion dates.
• Monitor progress of projects, discusses problems with affected areas, assures appropriate personnel are informed of problem and steps are in place to meet schedules.
• Depending on nature of problems, expected to recommend possible solutions and alternatives.

What You Will Have:

• 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.
• Software Program Management: Knowledge of policies and techniques to manage a set of related projects within a program; ability to plan, organize, monitor, and control the set of projects, ensuring efficient utilization of technical and administrative resources to achieve program objectives.
• Software Development Life Cycle: Knowledge of software development life cycle; ability to use a structured methodology for delivering and managing new or enhanced software products to the marketplace.
• Effective Communications: Understanding of effective communication concepts, tools and techniques; ability to effectively transmit, receive, and accurately interpret ideas, information, and needs through the application of appropriate communication behaviors.

Consideration For Top Candidates:

• Typical candidates will have 10+ years of direct project management experience working with software engineering teams in an agile environment
• PMP certification desired
• Certified Scrum Master (CSM) desired
• Working knowledge Azure DevOps (formerly VSTS)
• Knowledge of Confluence desired
• Knowledge of Power BI is desired

Additional Details:

• This position requires the candidate to be based in Chicago, IL
• Relocation assistance is NOT available for this position
• Visa sponsorship is NOT available with this position.

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
Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position.
Posting Dates:
September 1, 2026 - September 7, 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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