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This position has closed. Caterpillar removed this listing from their careers page on Oct 6, 2026. The interview prep below is still useful, and there are similar open roles at the bottom of this page.

Java Engineer

Caterpillar · Chicago, IL · $81,370–$122,060 a year · Full time

Posted Oct 5, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 5, 2026

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

What does it mean to translate requirements into quality software? Give me an example.

What they are checking: Whether they clarify unclear needs and turn them into working, tested features.

Tell me about something you automated to save time or reduce mistakes.

What they are checking: Whether they look for automation opportunities, which the posting calls out directly.

What do you know about how agile teams work, and how have you worked that way?

What they are checking: Whether they can work in short iterations with standups, reviews and shared ownership.

What would you do

A teammate's code works but is hard to read. What do you say in a code review?

What they are checking: Whether they give clear, kind feedback that improves code without causing friction.

You are stuck on a bug for hours. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they debug methodically and know when to ask for help instead of spinning.

About the work

What modern Java features do you use most, and why do they matter in real code?

What they are checking: Whether they know current Java, like streams, records and optional, beyond textbook basics.

Walk me through how you would build a REST API in Spring Boot and test it.

What they are checking: Whether they can build and test a basic service using common Java tools.

How would you find and fix a memory leak in a Java service?

What they are checking: Whether they understand garbage collection basics and know how to use profiling tools.

How would you deploy a Java app to the cloud, and what would you monitor once it is running?

What they are checking: Whether they have practical cloud knowledge and think about the app after release.

How do you write unit tests that actually catch bugs instead of just raising coverage?

What they are checking: Whether they test meaningful behavior and edge cases, not just lines of code.

Practice this interview out loud.

Offer builds a real interview for this exact role at Caterpillar from your resume and this job description, asks the questions one at a time, and tells you what landed. The first one is free.

Practice this out loud

The full job description

As published by Caterpillar.

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 Join an agile software engineering team that designs, builds, tests, and supports reliable applications. This role is open to engineers and recent graduates who bring hands-on experience or foundational knowledge of modern Java and cloud technologies. You will help translate requirements into quality software and improve solutions through automation and practical problem solving. What You Will Do: • Design, develop, enhance, and support software applications using agile methods. • Translate client requirements into practical technical solutions and improve workflows through automation. • Write maintainable source code and contribute to application integration, testing, and ongoing maintenance. • Use automated testing practices to validate quality and ensure solutions meet requirements. What you will have: • Decision Making and Critical Thinking: Ability to analyze situations, evaluate options, and make productive decisions using informed judgment. • Effective Communications: Ability to clearly share, receive, and interpret technical ideas, information, and stakeholder needs. • Software Development and Life Cycle: Knowledge of development tools and activities, with the ability to apply a structured approach to delivering and managing software products. • Software Integration and Technical Knowledge: Ability to design, configure, and integrate software components, interfaces, platforms, and packages. • Software Product Testing: Ability to plan and execute testing approaches that support software quality and adherence to requirements. Consideration for top candidates: • Hands-on experience or academic/project knowledge in Java and Spring Boot • Experience or knowledge of OpenSearch and Amazon Web Services (AWS). • Experience or knowledge of containerized deployments using AWS Fargate and Amazon Elastic Container Service (ECS). • Microservices experience or knowledge Additional Details: • This position requires the candidate to be in Chicago, IL, Peoria, IL or Dallas, TX • Relocation assistance is NOT available for this position • Visa sponsorship is NOT available with this position. • This position will require up to 5% travel Summary Pay Range: $81,370.00 - $122,060.00 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 This position requires working onsite five days a week. Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position. Posting Dates: 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 .