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Senior Engineer – Battery Management Systems (BMS)

Caterpillar · Mossville, IL · $112,710–$169,060 a year · Full time

Posted Oct 5, 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 battery issue you found in testing that changed your design. How did you track it down?

What they are checking: Their real debugging experience and how they turn test results into design changes.

Tell me about a time you mentored a less experienced engineer on a technical problem.

What they are checking: Whether a senior engineer develops others, which a team building new technology depends on.

The posting mentions humility and openness to discovery. Tell me about a time your technical assumption was wrong.

What they are checking: Whether they learn from being wrong, which matters in emerging technology with unknown answers.

What would you do

You're working with cell suppliers, controls teams and software teams on IDES products. How do you keep requirements aligned?

What they are checking: Whether they can drive integration across many groups in a new electrification division.

How do you communicate battery risks to leaders who aren't battery experts?

What they are checking: Whether they can explain technical tradeoffs clearly so business leaders make good decisions.

About the work

Walk me through how a BMS estimates state of charge and state of health, and where those estimates go wrong.

What they are checking: Their depth on core BMS algorithms and their honest understanding of estimation error.

How would BMS requirements for a heavy construction machine differ from a passenger EV?

What they are checking: Whether they understand duty cycles, harsh environments and long service life for Caterpillar equipment.

Explain how you'd design cell balancing for a large battery pack, and when you'd choose active over passive balancing.

What they are checking: Their engineering judgment on balancing tradeoffs like cost, heat and efficiency at pack scale.

How do you approach functional safety for a BMS, such as ISO 26262 or similar standards?

What they are checking: Whether they can design to safety standards and handle fault detection for high-voltage systems.

How do you protect against thermal runaway in a pack, and what's the BMS's role in that?

What they are checking: Whether they understand detection, isolation and thermal management as safety-critical functions.

How would you validate a BMS before it goes into a customer machine?

What they are checking: Their testing approach with hardware-in-the-loop, simulation and field validation at scale.

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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. About IDES: Caterpillar’s Integrated Drivetrain Energy Solutions (IDES) division will focus on delivering advanced electrified power train, zero-emissions products/technologies, and the solutions and services associated with these technologies. Focus areas include batteries, fuel cells, motors, inverters, micro grid controllers, charging, energy storage systems, lifecycle solutions/services and integration of components for ePowertrain solutions across industries. We are looking for top talent to build and scale the next generation of technologies, products and services to help our customers build a better—more sustainable—world. We need self-motivated, intelligent and team-oriented individuals to make our plans a reality. Individuals with high emotional intelligence, humility and openness to discovery will thrive in the teams we are building. What You Will Do As a Senior Engineer, you will play a key role in developing next-generation Battery Management System (BMS) technologies that support Caterpillar's electrification strategy. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams to define system architectures, solve complex technical challenges, and drive innovation across a diverse portfolio of battery and power management products. Key responsibilities include: • Design and integrate high-voltage power systems and low-voltage electronic control systems. • Collaborate with hardware, software, systems, and application engineering teams to develop advanced BMS technologies. • Define, develop, and manage system and component-level technical requirements. • Evaluate PCB layouts to verify robustness for high-power applications and ensure successful EMC performance and certification. • Analyze and resolve complex technical issues through structured problem-solving and root cause analysis. • Contribute to the technical strategy, roadmap, and product development initiatives for future electrification platforms. • Support product validation, testing, and continuous improvement activities to ensure robust and reliable system performance. What You Will Have • Bachelor's degree in a technical field • Analytical Thinking : Extensive experience and knowledge of techniques and tools that promote effective analysis; ability to determine the root cause of organizational problems and create alternative solutions that resolve these problems. • Effective Communications : Extensive experience and understanding of effective communication concepts, tools and techniques; ability to effectively transmit, receive, and accurately interpret ideas, information, and needs through the application of appropriate communication behaviors. • Managing Multiple Priorities : Extensive experience and 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. • Technical Excellence : Extensive experience and knowledge of a given technology and various application methods; ability to develop and provide solutions to significant technical challenges. Demonstrated technical excellence in electrical and electronic disciplines. • Product Design and Development: Extensive experience and knowledge of product features; ability to design, build, and develop a new product, technology, or service from concept through to production. Top Candidates Will Also Have • Knowledge of battery systems, Battery Management Systems (BMS), and energy storage technologies. • Experience with power electronics design, high-voltage systems, and power distribution architectures. • Experience with communication protocols such as CAN, Ethernet, SPI, and isoSPI. • Experience developing and executing electronics validation and testing plans. • Familiarity with systems engineering methodologies, requirements management, and product development processes. • Experience working in a highly technical, fast-paced environment with complex system integration challenges. • Advanced degree in Electrical Engineering or a related field is a plus. Additional Information • This position is located in Mossville, IL and requires 5-day a week on-site availability • Domestic relocation is available for this position • Visa sponsorship is not available for this position • 20% or less travel expected for this role Summary Pay Range: $112,710.00 - $169,060.00 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. Relocation is available for this position. Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position. Posting Dates: October 5, 2026 - October 19, 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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