Lead Software Engineer

Lead Software Engineer – eCommerce Search

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.

Job Summary:

eCommerce is a key digital enabler to Caterpillar’s aftermarket parts and services growth strategy. Delivering on the Caterpillar brand promise of premium, high-quality solutions is an important element in accelerating the development and deployment of Caterpillar’s expanded capabilities in eCommerce. The Lead Software Engineer – Ecommerce Search is responsible for setting the technical direction and overseeing the execution of advanced search solutions.

This role combines strategic vision, hands‑on technical expertise, and leadership to build scalable, high‑performance search platforms that deliver exceptional user experiences.

• Technical Strategy:
  Define and implement a long‑term technical vision for the search platform to ensure scalability and adaptability to growing data volumes and query complexity.
• Team Leadership:
  Mentor and guide a team of search engineers through technical reviews, best practices, and collaborative problem‑solving.
• Feature Development:
  Introduce advanced capabilities such as NLP, vector search, and personalization to enhance relevance and accuracy.
• Data Analysis & Optimization:
  Build search capabilities with measurable KPIs (CTR, Query Distribution, Zero Search) and leverage analytics to continuously improve search performance.
• Cross‑Functional
  
  Collaboration:
  
  Partner with product managers, data scientists, and engineering teams to align search initiatives with business objectives.

• Decision Making and Critical Thinking:
  Knowledge of decision‑making processes, tools, and techniques; ability to analyze situations and reach productive decisions.
• Software Development:
  Ability to produce software products or systems in line with product requirements.
• Software Development Life Cycle:
  Use of structured methodologies for delivering and managing new or enhanced software.
• Software Integration Engineering:
  Design, develop, and maintain interfaces and linkage to alternative platforms.
• Software Product Design/Architecture:
  Convert market requirements into software product design.
• Software Product Technical Knowledge:
  Design, configure, and integrate technical aspects of software products.

• Progressively complex professional experience.
• Experience as a lead software engineer, architect, engineering manager.
• Experience leading technical teams and managing multiple projects simultaneously.
• Experience working within ITSM processes (incident, change, problem).
• Strong communication, organization, and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to handle sensitive, complex, or high‑visibility issues.
• Excellent written and verbal communication abilities.
• Technical expertise: eCommerce Search deployments, Open Search, Elastic Search, SOLR, Lucene, Coveo, Lucid Works Fusion, head‑less frameworks, distributed systems.
• Programming proficiency in Java, Python, or Scala with source control practices.
• Proficiency in debugging, problem‑solving, AI code‑generation tools, Dev Ops, API consumption.
• Familiarity with event streaming, cloud platforms, ML relevance improvement.
• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in computer science or related field, or equivalent experience.
• 7+ years in search engineering, 3+ years in technical leadership.
• Experience building low‑latency APIs in AWS with memory‑storage solutions.
• Experience with A/B testing frameworks and cloud technologies (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud).
• Advanced version control (Git Hub).
• Agile, global team environment.
• Strong initiative, interpersonal skills, and communication.

Sponsorship is NOT available for this position. Relocation is not available for this position.

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.

$ – $

• Medical, dental, and vision benefits
• Paid time off (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

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