Product Lead, Machine Systems

Career Area

Technology, Digital and Data

As the Product Lead for the Machine Systems group within CTCT, you will be a key member of an empowered and accountable Product Team that owns sellable, installable, and supportable positioning and controls solutions. Your responsibilities include positioning, control, commissioning, and integration of software for the heavy and compact construction, paving, and mining industries.

• Translate CTCT strategy to product team strategy and set a theme‑based roadmap (Now/Next/Later) for Positioning and Controls.
• Engage with internal and external customers, suppliers, stakeholders, and engineering teams to deliver high‑quality, innovative systems throughout the product lifecycle.
• Conduct Voice of the Customer activities, validate problems with operators, site managers, and dealers, and define customer‑centric requirements.
• Serve as the product backlog steward, ensuring a ready pipeline of 2–3 sprints of prioritized work.
• Collaborate with UX/Design to validate solutions via prototypes and mockups before development; require 90% validation of features entering development.
• Translate high‑level themes into detailed User Stories and Acceptance Criteria.
• Own backlog prioritization and refinement; maintain a “ready” pipeline of 2–3 sprints.
• Serve as the primary contact for external queries to minimize mid‑sprint scope changes.
• Partner with Engineering leadership for capacity planning, technical debt, and infrastructure allocation.
• Define and enforce the Definition of Done, approving completed features that meet user‑centric intent.
• Identify cross‑team dependencies and secure commitments from systems engineering, installation solutions, hardware, and V&V groups.

• Maintain 2 sprints of “ready” backlog work, eliminating excessive WIP.
• Keep development team interruption below 10% of sprint capacity.
• Ensure released features have minimal P0/P1 defects from requirements gaps.
• Achieve a 90% validation rate for features entering development.
• Identify, secure, and communicate all external dependencies at least one month before development starts.

• Product Manager – collaborate on scope and market alignment.
• Development Teams – support technical discovery and sprint management.
• UX / Design – partner on user research and prototype validation.
• Program & Project Leads – coordinate delivery and dependencies.
• Engineering Leadership – align on technical architecture and capacity.

• Professional experience in product management, engineering, or a closely related role.
• Full product development cycle experience.
• Experience working with external suppliers and partners on a global team.
• Highly self‑motivated, curious, and proactive.
• Strong written, verbal, visual, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to influence and achieve product outcomes.
• Attuned to internal and external customer needs.
• Capability to think as the end user and translate needs into aligned requirements.
• Demonstrated ability to make timely product decisions.
• Desirable: experience with grade control, construction business, machine operation, automotive component development, or related fields.

• Position is onsite, five days per week.
• Relocation is available.
• Travel: 10–15%.
• Visa sponsorship is NOT available for this position.

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

* These benefits also apply to part‑time employees.

Caterpillar is an Equal Opportunity Employer, Including Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities. Qualified applicants of any age are encouraged to apply.

$ – $ (Total compensation varies by individual factors).