Program Specialist – Data, AI & Automation

Career Area:

Strategy

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.

Program Specialist – Data, AI & Automation

Job Description:

We are seeking a skilled Program Specialist – Data, AI & Automation for managing the planning, organization, and implementation of complex programs as aligned to segment and business unit’s critical imperatives by forging business strategic partnerships that drive customer back engagements and delivery through data, artificial intelligence, and automation technologies.

This role requires a deep expertise in managing a diverse portfolio of small to medium-sized projects, business analysis, decision-making, and stakeholder engagement, combined with a consultancy-type mindset, strong understanding of Data, AI & Automation technologies as it applies within the business context.

The Program Specialist operates at a program level, focusing on managing multiple initiatives across business domains, capability enablement, and scalability rather than just managing individual project timelines, budgets, or deliverables.

What You Will Do:

• Ensure alignment with the business unit’s strategic objectives, enterprise data strategy, and AI/automation roadmap.

• Establish and maintain productive, long-term relationships with business partners, enterprise technical/business teams, and peers, ensuring alignment and collaboration across teams.

• Identify and manage inter-dependencies between initiatives to avoid duplication, optimize resources, and accelerate delivery timelines.

• Demonstrate expert-level communication skills to engage diverse audiences, ensure clarity of messages, and coach others on improving their communication effectiveness.

• Use extensive influencing skills to impact decisions, build consensus, and align stakeholders with program objectives.

• Leverage extensive experience in business analysis to identify business needs, recommend solutions, and ensure alignment with stakeholder expectations.

• Elicit, analyze, and document functional and non-functional requirements, ensuring traceability and alignment with program goals.

• Use advanced techniques to map workflows, identify inefficiencies, and recommend AI/automation interventions that deliver measurable value.

• Collaborate with technical teams to assess the feasibility, scalability, and integration of proposed solutions within the enterprise architecture.

• Identify opportunities to refine processes, improve solution delivery, and enhance the overall impact of Data/AI/Automation initiatives.

• Work effectively despite uncertainty and high levels of ambiguity, leveraging prior experience to make progress and deliver on business objectives.

• Proven leadership and team management skills, with the ability to inspire, mentor, and guide cross-functional teams to achieve program objectives.

• Proven record of critical thinking, innovation, and self-motivation, with the ability to proactively identify opportunities, solve complex problems, and drive impactful solutions.

What You Have:

• Bachelor’s degree in business, Computer Science, Data Science, or related field (master’s preferred).

• 8+ years of experience in data, AI, analytics, or automation environment, with a focus on program-level coordination.

• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple concurrent initiatives in a matrixed organization.

• Experience in both business and technology-enabled roles.

• Experience working within the manufacturing industry - focused on related data domains, such as but not limited to operations, supply chain, marketing, etc.

• Experience with BI tools (e.g., Power BI), data cataloging platforms, or MDM solutions

• Cloud data warehousing platforms, such as Snowflake, etc.

• Experience developing AI/LLM solutions, including agentic AI, etc.

• Familiarity with Agile methodologies and tools (e.g., Agile DevOps) is a plus.

• Ability to work with onshore, offshore and nearshore technical and business teams.

• Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, intellectual curiosity and self-motivation

Skills Descriptors:

Program / Portfolio Management: Tactical, Strategic: Knowledge of effective planning techniques and ability to contribute to operational (short-term), tactical (1-2 years) and strategic (3-5 years) planning.

Business Engagement / Consultancy-mindset: Knowledge of effective influencing tactics and strategies; ability to impact decisions within and outside own organization.

Business Analysis: Knowledge of techniques and tools that promote effective analysis, gather requirements, and ability to determine the root cause of organizational problems and create alternative solutions that resolve these problems.

Flexibility and Adaptability: Knowledge of successful approaches and techniques for dealing with change; ability to adapt to a changing environment and be comfortable with change.

Managing Multiple Priorities: Knowledge of effective self-management practices; ability to manage multiple concurrent objectives, projects, groups, or activities, making effective judgments as to prioritizing and time allocation.

Additional Info:

• The primary location for this position is Cary, NC or Irving, TX.

• Sponsorship is not available.

• Relocation is not available.

• This role requires 5 days onsite.

What You Will Get:

• Our goal at Caterpillar is for you to have a rewarding career. Our teams are critical to the success of our customers who build a better world.

• Here you earn more than just a salary because we value your performance. We offer a total rewards package that provides benefits on day one (medical, dental, vision, RX, and 401K) along with the potential of an annual bonus. Additional benefits include paid vacation days and paid holidays.

• All qualified individuals - Including minorities, females, veterans, and individuals with disabilities - are encouraged to apply.

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.

Final details:

Please frequently check the email associated with your application, including the junk/spam folder, as this is the primary correspondence method. If you wish to know the status of your application – please use the candidate log-in on our career website as it will reflect any updates to your status.

Summary Pay Range:

$110,520.00 - $165,840.00

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

Posting Dates:

September 11, 2025 - September 24, 2025

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.

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