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Caterpillar

Senior UX Manager - Machine In Cab Displays

Posted 2 Days Ago
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Hybrid
Chicago, IL, USA
173K-259K Annually
Senior level
Hybrid
Chicago, IL, USA
173K-259K Annually
Senior level
Lead the UX strategy for embedded, operator-facing software in connected machines, ensuring safety, usability, and compliance while mentoring designers.
The summary above was generated by AI
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.
Senior UX Manager - Machine In‑Cab Displays
Your Work Shapes the World at Caterpillar Inc.
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:
Drive the strategic vision and hands‑on execution of in‑cab user experiences for connected machines across Retail Equipment, Construction, Mining, and Energy and Power platforms. This role champions operator‑centered, safety‑critical, and environment‑aware design, delivering intuitive embedded interfaces that perform reliably in demanding real‑world conditions.
As Senior UX Manager, you will lead cross‑product UX strategy for in‑cab displays and HMI systems, guide teams through complex hardware and embedded software constraints, and collaborate closely with engineering, product, industrial design, and safety partners to ensure experiences are usable, accessible, compliant, and aligned with core business objectives.
What You Will Do:
  • Define and lead the UX strategy for in‑cab displays and HMI systems across multiple machine categories and product lines
  • Own end‑to‑end experience design for embedded, operator‑facing software, from discovery and field research through prototyping, validation, and production release
  • Translate complex machine data, alerts, and controls into clear, glanceable, and actionable interfaces that support safe operation
  • Partner with product management, embedded engineering, industrial design, and safety teams to align UX with system capabilities, regulatory requirements, and operator workflows
  • Establish and evolve UX standards, design systems, and interaction patterns for embedded and in‑cab environments
  • Champion human‑centered and operator‑centered design, incorporating physical, environmental, and contextual constraints such as vibration, motion, lighting, noise, PPE, and gloves
  • Advocate for accessibility, usability, and safety‑first design, including validation through testing with operators and field stakeholders
  • Ensure UX practices align with safety‑critical and compliance expectations, including applicable ISO standards and internal governance
  • Lead and mentor UX designers, fostering a culture of craftsmanship, inclusion, and continuous improvement
  • Monitor and evaluate UX effectiveness using field feedback, usability findings, and operational data
  • Guide platform‑level UX decisions to ensure consistency across machine types while allowing flexibility for specific use cases

What You Will Have:
Creativity
Expertise in applying creative thinking to complex, real‑world, and safety‑constrained problems.
Extensive Experience:
  • Balances innovation with reliability, safety, and operational practicality
  • Challenges legacy industrial and embedded interface patterns
  • Encourages experimentation within production and compliance constraints
  • Learns from field insights and iterative validation
  • Finds new ways to simplify complex machine interactions

Organizational Leadership
Ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and align UX vision across platforms and products.
Extensive Experience:
  • Manages and mentors UX designers supporting embedded and in‑cab experiences
  • Applies situational leadership based on system maturity and risk profile
  • Coaches teams to deliver production‑ready, safety‑aware designs
  • Translates UX vision into clear roadmaps and execution plans
  • Uses emotional intelligence to influence cross‑functional partners
  • Establishes clear roles, expectations, standards, and accountability

Human‑Centered & Operator‑Centered Design
Deep expertise in designing for people operating physical machines in demanding environments.
Extensive Experience:
  • Leads human‑centered design practices tailored to industrial and safety‑critical contexts
  • Defines objectives, scope, timelines, and success metrics for operator experience initiatives
  • Guides agile and iterative workflows to gather operator feedback early and often
  • Oversees prototyping, simulation, and pilot testing in realistic usage scenarios
  • Applies HCD insights to influence product, platform, and system‑level decisions
  • Advises on complex usability, adoption, and safety challenges

User Experience Design - Embedded & In‑Cab
Expert in designing intuitive, resilient UX for embedded systems and HMI.
Expert Level:
  • Designs for glanceability, cognitive load, task efficiency, and error prevention
  • Evaluates trade‑offs between usability, safety, performance, and technical constraints
  • Leads UX strategy for fixed‑function displays and configurable operator interfaces
  • Guides information architecture, navigation, alerts, warnings, and system feedback
  • Integrates UX into embedded software development lifecycles
  • Balances operator needs with business, regulatory, and engineering requirements

User Interface Design - Industrial Systems
Expertise in crafting durable, readable, and effective interfaces for harsh environments.
Expert Level:
  • Develops UI standards for contrast, typography, iconography, hierarchy, and color usage in safety‑critical contexts
  • Collaborates closely with embedded software, hardware, and industrial design teams
  • Assesses operational and safety impact of UI design decisions
  • Architects scalable design systems across multiple machine platforms
  • Translates emerging HMI and interaction trends into production‑ready specifications

Considerations For Top Candidates:
Required
  • Proven experience leading UX for embedded software, HMI, or system‑level digital products
  • Experience designing for accessibility (A11Y), including consideration of WCAG principles as applied to non‑traditional interfaces
  • Familiarity with safety‑critical systems, regulatory considerations, and ISO‑aligned design expectations
  • Experience collaborating with embedded engineering, hardware, and system architecture teams

Preferred
  • Experience designing for physical machines, automotive systems, or embedded in‑cab displays
  • Background in construction, mining, power generation, transportation, or other industrial domains
  • Exposure to ISO standards, safety analysis, or regulated product environments

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 to 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.
Benefits:
This position is eligible for stock or other equity grants pursuant to Caterpillar's long-term incentive plan.
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
Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position.
Posting Dates:
March 24, 2026 - April 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.
Not ready to apply? Join our Talent Community.

Top Skills

Accessibility Design
Embedded Software
Hmi Systems
Iso Standards
Ui Standards
Ux Design

Caterpillar Chicago, Illinois, USA Office

In the heart of Chicago's lively West Loop area, we have easy access to public transport, great bars and restaurants, and an awesome office roof deck.

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