Senior Principal Architect, Applied AI Enterprise

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:
Join the AI Acceleration team and help shape how Caterpillar builds and deploys AI-powered solutions across the enterprise. As a Senior AI Architect/Engineer, you'll serve as a technical leader and trusted advisor on the AI solution design - with a focus on agentic systems that can reason, plan and take action. You'll partner with IT, business functions and product teams to ensure we're building AI solutions that are architecturally sound, scalable and aligned with where the industry is heading. This is a high-visibility role with direct impact on Caterpillar's AI strategy and the opportunity to get hands-on with emerging technologies
What You Will Do:

• Developing detailed architecture deliverables to solve business problems through agentic AI systems and patterns.
• Designing an AI application's technical infrastructure, including orchestration layers, tool integrations, data retrieval patterns, and testing approaches.
• Leading the evaluation and deployment of emerging AI technologies and frameworks to enhance Caterpillar's agentic capabilities.
• Participating in translating business requirements into AI solution designs and collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver results.

What You Will Have:

• Effective Communications: Expert 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.
• AI/ML Architecture: Deep understanding of modern AI/ML architectures including transformer models, retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), agent frameworks, and model orchestration patterns
• Analytical Thinking: Expert knowledge of techniques and tools that promote effective analysis; ability to determine the root cause of organizational problems and create alternative solutions that resolve these problems.
• Cloud AI Platforms: Hands-on experience with major cloud AI platforms (Azure OpenAI Service, AWS Bedrock, Google Vertex AI) and ability to architect multi-cloud or hybrid solutions
• Requirements Analysis: Expert knowledge of tools, methods, and techniques of requirement analysis; ability to elicit, analyze and record required business functionality and non-functionality requirements to ensure the success of a system or software development project.
• Data Architecture: Expert knowledge of processes, techniques and factors that affect data architecture; ability to design blueprints on how to integrate data resources for business processes and functional support.
• Target Architecture: Expert knowledge of target architecture; ability to develop the IT blueprint and roadmap while aligning the architecture and processes with business strategies and objectives.
• MLOps: Strong knowledge of MLOps practices including model versioning, deployment pipelines, monitoring, and governance frameworks

Considerations for Top Candidates:

• Deep experience designing and building agentic AI systems, including multi-agent architectures, tool use and orchestration patterns
• Experience designing and implementing production AI agent systems using frameworks like LangChain, LangGraph, Semantic Kernel, or similar orchestration tools
• Strong understanding of LLM capabilities, limitations and deployment patterns (prompt engineering, RAG, function calling, context engineering)
• Experience evaluating and integrating AI/ML infrastructure components (vector databases, embedding models, orchestration layers, observability tools)
• Broad software engineering background including API design, authentication/authorization patterns, and enterprise integration
• Ability to translate complex technical concepts for non-technical stakeholders and influence architecture decisions across teams.
• Track record of staying current with rapidly evolving AI landscape and brining practical recommendations to the table
• Experience with MLOps/LLMOps practices, model monitoring, or production AI systems as scale ml

Additional Information:
This position will have the option to be based out of our Chicago, IL; Mossville, 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:
$172,630.00 - $258,950.00
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.
Relocation is available for this position.
Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position. This employer is not currently hiring foreign national applicants that require or will require sponsorship tied to a specific employer, such as, H, L, TN, F, J, E, O. As a global company, Caterpillar offers many job opportunities outside of the U.S which can be found through our employment website at www.caterpillar.com/careers.
Posting Dates:
March 11, 2026 - March 22, 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.
Not ready to apply? Join our Talent Community.