Lead Software Test Engineer

Caterpillar

Lead Software Test Engineer

Posted An Hour Ago

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Chicago IL USA

Hybrid

128K-209K Annually

Senior level

Artificial Intelligence • Cloud • Internet of Things • Software • Cybersecurity • Industrial

Cat Digital uses digital technologies to help Caterpillar Inc. customers build a better more sustainable world.

The Role

Lead software testing for Caterpillar's eCommerce platform ensuring quality through automation and performance strategies across development phases.

Summary Generated by Built In

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.
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:
Provides advanced technical leadership in the design development and execution of application quality engineering and performance testing strategies for Parts.cat.com Caterpillar's global eCommerce platform.
Responsible for ensuring that complex distributed software systems meet defined functional requirements performance expectations and production readiness standards. Operates at a system level to influence software design validate application behavior and ensure performance integrity across the full software development lifecycle.
This role requires deep hands-on expertise in functional test automation and performance engineering tools combined with the ability to guide engineering teams and shape practices that improve application stability scalability and customer experience.
What You Will Do:
Quality Engineering & System Validation:

Designs and leads execution of functional testing strategies across UI API and integration layers using modern automation tools (e.g. Playwright).
Validates behavior of complex multi-tier distributed applications ensuring correct transaction flow across frontend services and backend systems.
Defines and enforces test strategies coverage models and release readiness criteria.
Leads end-to-end validation across testing phases including in-sprint regression system integration (SIT) and E2E.
Ensures software products meet defined functional requirements customer journeys and business workflows.

Performance Engineering:

Leads design and execution of performance testing strategies using tools such as k6 JMeter and Artillery.
Designs and executes load stress endurance and scalability testing aligned to production conditions.
Defines and enforces non-functional requirements (NFRs) and performance service level objectives.
Conducts performance diagnostics using logs metrics API traces and observability data to identify system bottlenecks.
Drives root-cause analysis and resolution of performance issues across application and infrastructure layers.
Ensures performance validation reflects real customer usage patterns and end-to-end system behavior.

Software Development & Engineering Collaboration:

Partners with development teams to improve application design performance and testability.
Reviews and influences technical solutions and architecture decisions to ensure alignment with quality and performance standards.
Provides technical guidance on automation frameworks testing tools and performance engineering approaches.
Supports definition of technical requirements and acceptance criteria including functional and non-functional considerations.

Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) Leadership:

Applies structured methodologies to support delivery and validation across the SDLC.
Drives adoption of shift-left testing practices enabling earlier identification of defects and performance risks.
Collaborates with Product Development and SRE to align on release scope quality expectations and delivery timelines.
Ensures consistent execution of processes across development testing and release phases.

Automation & CI/CD Integration:

Defines and leads implementation of automated testing strategies across:
- Functional testing (Playwright)
- Performance testing (k6 JMeter Artillery)
Integrates testing into CI/CD pipelines to enable:
- Automated regression validation
- Performance gating at build and release levels
Promotes scalable automation practices across engineering teams.

Decision Making & Technical Leadership:

Applies advanced decision-making and critical thinking to evaluate technical trade-offs and guide engineering direction.
Advises teams on risk mitigation testing strategies and performance optimization.
Reviews technical solutions for alignment with quality scalability and maintainability expectations.
Mentors engineers and supports adoption of strong engineering and testing practices across teams.

What You Will Have:
Decision Making and Critical Thinking - Extensive Experience

Evaluates complex technical scenarios and determines solutions based on risk impact and system behavior.
Applies structured approaches to analyze issues and guide decision-making.
Advises stakeholders on trade-offs affecting quality performance and delivery outcomes.

Effective Communications - Extensive Experience

Communicates technical information clearly across engineering product and leadership audiences.
Adapts messaging based on stakeholder needs and technical depth.
Provides feedback and coaching on technical approaches and testing strategies.

Software Development - Extensive Experience

Demonstrates strong knowledge of modern software development tools frameworks and practices.
Evaluates development approaches to ensure alignment with quality and performance requirements.
Provides consulting on tool selection and engineering practices.

Software Development Life Cycle - Working Knowledge / Advanced Application

Applies structured methodology across development testing and release phases.
Identifies and resolves issues across the lifecycle to improve delivery quality.
Aligns testing and performance validation with release lifecycle milestones.

Software Product Technical Knowledge - Extensive Experience

Applies understanding of system architecture and application environments to validate behavior and performance.
Supports development of technical requirements and configuration strategies.
Ensures applications meet both functional specifications and non-functional expectations.

System Testing - Extensive Experience

Designs and leads testing for complex distributed multi-platform applications.
Validates interoperability and data flow across systems and environments.
Ensures proper transaction behavior across input output and integration layers.

Software Product Testing - Extensive Experience

Designs plans and executes comprehensive functional and performance testing strategies.
Validates system behavior across both functional and performance dimensions.
Establishes processes for documenting test results defects and validation outcomes.

Considerations For Top Candidates:
Basic Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science Engineering or related field (or equivalent experience).
Extensive experience in software quality engineering system testing or performance engineering.
Proven hands-on experience with:
- Playwright (or similar modern UI automation framework)
- k6 JMeter and/or Artillery for performance testing
Strong experience in UI API and integration testing.
Strong understanding of distributed systems and application architecture.
Experience working in Agile and modern software delivery environments.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience supporting large-scale eCommerce or customer-facing digital platforms.
Experience with observability and monitoring tools (e.g. Grafana Datadog OpenSearch).
Experience integrating testing into CI/CD pipelines (Azure DevOps Jenkins GitLab).
Experience working in cloud environments (AWS).
Familiarity with HCL Commerce or headless architecture ecosystems.

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:
$128470.00 - $208770.00
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:
June 3 2026 - June 12 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.

Skills Required

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science Engineering or related field (or equivalent experience)
Extensive experience in software quality engineering system testing or performance engineering
Proven hands-on experience with Playwright (or similar modern UI automation framework)
Hands-on experience with k6 JMeter and/or Artillery for performance testing
Strong experience in UI API and integration testing
Strong understanding of distributed systems and application architecture
Experience working in Agile and modern software delivery environments

What the Team is Saying

Caterpillar Compensation & Benefits Highlights

Healthcare Strength—Core benefits include medical dental vision disability life insurance and an enhanced Employee Assistance Program with expanded mental health sessions and tools to help find high‑value care. Coverage breadth and plan options are emphasized for most full‑time roles.
Retirement Support—A 401(k) savings plan with company match is broadly available and some groups receive an additional age‑ or service‑based non‑elective annual contribution. Certain represented facilities also saw improved retirement contributions under a recent agreement.
Strong & Reliable Incentives—Many roles participate in short‑term incentive or gainsharing programs with regular bonuses described for full‑time employees. These incentives are positioned as a routine component of total compensation for eligible positions.

Learn more about Caterpillar's Compensation & Benefits →

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The Company

HQ: Irving TX

100000 Employees

Year Founded: 1925

What We Do

Cat Digital is the digital and technology arm of Caterpillar Inc. responsible for bringing digital capabilities to our world-famous yellow iron. With over 1.5M connected assets worldwide our teams use data technology advanced analytics and AI capabilities to help our customers build a better world.

Why Work With Us

The Cat Digital team is at the forefront of Caterpillar’s evolution. We take pride in solving complex problems by building new systems from the ground up. On our team you’ll leverage data from across our entire enterprise to find solutions that open a new world of possibilities for our customers and dealers. Join us in building a better tomorrow.