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Control Systems Engineering Specialist

Caterpillar · Mossville, IL · $128,470–$192,710 a year · Full time

Posted Sep 28, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a time a control feature worked in the lab but failed on the machine. What did you learn?

What they are checking: Experience closing the gap between simulation and real iron, which is where most controls problems surface.

As a specialist, how do you guide other engineers on technical decisions without slowing the team down?

What they are checking: Technical leadership at the specialist level and whether they share knowledge rather than become a bottleneck.

What would you do

A customer reports a machine that feels jerky after a software update. How do you investigate as post-production support?

What they are checking: Their approach to field support named in the posting, including data, reproduction and root cause.

About the work

Explain how an electrohydraulic control turns an operator's joystick input into precise cylinder motion on a machine.

What they are checking: Core understanding of the electrohydraulic systems this team owns, from command through valve to actuator.

How do you gather product requirements and turn them into control system requirements that software engineers can build and test?

What they are checking: Their ability to translate fuzzy product needs into specific, testable controls requirements, the first step the posting names.

Walk me through how you'd design and tune a closed-loop controller for a hydraulic implement that behaves nonlinearly.

What they are checking: Practical controls skill with real hydraulic behavior like deadband, flow limits and load changes.

What role do model-based design and simulation play in your work, and which tools have you used?

What they are checking: Familiarity with the variety of tools used across the embedded development process, such as modeling and simulation.

How do features like remote control, automation or autonomy change the way you design a hydraulic control?

What they are checking: Whether they see how advanced features raise the bar on precision, latency, diagnostics and safety.

How do you build safety into a control feature where a fault could move a heavy implement unexpectedly?

What they are checking: Awareness of functional safety, fault detection and safe states on machines that can hurt people.

Describe how you verify a control feature is ready to release. What tests do you require?

What they are checking: Their test discipline across simulation, HIL and machine testing before a feature reaches customers.

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The full job description

As published by Caterpillar.

Career Area: Engineering 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. This job involves designing, developing and testing embedded control system features for Caterpillar products. Our team focuses on electrohydraulic controls. These controls are the digital backbone of Caterpillar machines, transforming hydraulic power into intelligent, precise motion that drives productivity and enables advanced automation, remote control, and autonomy. Our talented team needs your help to support the current and innovate the next generation of control features. As a control systems engineer you will utilize a variety of tools to support all steps of this embedded software development process. What You Will Do: • Gather product and system requirements to further specify and document control system requirements. Collaborate with clients and partner teams to provide post-production support. • Design embedded control systems to meet functional and system requirements. This may involve improving existing features or innovating new ones. Designs will support strategic architectural initiatives like Autosar, modularity and reuse. • Lead the implementation and delivery of software components to meet design specifications with strong quality assurance. Core functions are all model-based implementations in Simulink. • Test, tune and debug embedded system software using a variety of methods and tools to demonstrate requirements, optimize system performance, and improve code quality. Methods include Model-in-the-Loop, Software-in-the-Loop, Hardware-in-the Loop and on-machine testing. • Collaborate with clients and partner teams to provide post-production support. What Skills You Will Have: • Requirements Analysis: Knowledge of tools, methods, and techniques of requirement analysis; ability to elicit, analyze and record required business functionality and non-functionality requirements to ensure the success of a system or software development project. • Embedded Systems: Knowledge of embedded systems and their applications; ability to develop embedded systems with varying levels of complexity to control the operations of the machine it is embedded within. • Product Testing: Knowledge of product testing approaches, techniques and tools; ability to design, plan and execute testing strategies and tactics to ensure product quality at all stages of manufacturing. • Technical Troubleshooting: Knowledge of technical troubleshooting approaches, tools and techniques; ability to anticipate, recognize, and resolve technical issues on hardware, software, application or operation. Top Candidates Will Have: • BS or MS in Electrical, Mechanical or Computer Engineering, or Computer Science • Experience with requirements, software specification, and workflow management • Well-versed in version control and configuration management tools for software development • Proficiency with AUTOSAR and generating AUTOSAR-compliant code from Simulink • Knowledge of software testing methods like Model-in-the-Loop, Software-in-the-Loop and Hardware-in-the-Loop • Familiarity with testing tools like Vector Network Interfaces, CANape and CANalyzer • Working knowledge of machine systems like power systems, drivetrains and implements • Ability to lead and mentor engineers on a software development team • Motivation to operate heavy construction machinery at proving ground or field sites Demonstrated delivery of real-time embedded control systems software with MATLAB / Simulink / Stateflow for automotive or machine (mobile equipment) applications Additional Information: • This position requires the candidate to work full-time at the Mossville, IL office. • Domestic relocation assistance is available for this position. • Visa sponsorship is not available for this position • Travel is 10% #LI Summary Pay Range: $128,470.00 - $192,710.00 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 28, 2026 - October 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? 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