Software Engineer in Test

About the Role

• Caterpillar Trimble Control Technologies (CTCT) is a joint venture between Caterpillar and Trimble.
• As a V&V Tech Lead for CTCT grade control platform products, you will own the full verification and validation (V&V) lifecycle for your dedicated product team.
• Your primary objective is to ensure products meet end-user quality expectations by strategically shifting validation activities earlier in the development cycle using an end-to-end methodology.
• You will plan, direct, and execute these activities by leveraging team expertise, world-class evaluation methods, and enterprise best practices.
• Your leadership will ensure that technical and program risks are accurately identified and quantified, and that all validation test plans are thorough, well-documented, and efficiently executed.

Key Responsibilities

Product Strategy & Alignment

• Collaborate directly with Product Owners to deeply understand product features, customer expectations, and ensure solutions are intuitive and user-friendly.
• Act as the vital link between Product and Development teams, translating feature requirements into clear, robust acceptance criteria and actionable V&V goals.
• Fully understand the functionality and application of platform products, following them through their full lifecycle—from early development up to product deprecation.
• Proactively identify and assess risks associated with specific features and functionalities, participating heavily in the product risk assessment process to ensure "Testing with a Purpose."

Process & V&V Strategy

• Drive the overarching test strategy by mapping product functionalities to the software development lifecycle (SDLC). Push testing to the bottom of the test pyramid for earlier detection.
• Architect a comprehensive validation strategy spanning from low-level Component Test Specification (CTS) coverage, through the Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) layer, up to final physical machine testing.
• Proactively strategize, monitor, and validate against critical software failure modes, specifically focusing on system performance metrics like network bus loads and CPU loads.
• Establish and enforce standard V&V processes, including rigorous test plan and result reviews, effective machine-test time planning, design margin testing, and driving exploratory testing initiatives.
• Drive the use of Design Verification Plan & Report (DVP&R) and Risk-Based Thinking. Educate product teams and mentor validation engineers on key processes, venues, and validation expectations.

Tools & Environments

• Execute and oversee complex Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) validation using tools such as dSPACE (harnessing, modeling, and execution), Vector tools, Simulink, and Stateflow.
• Design, develop, and maintain automated API verification frameworks using modern testing tools like Playwright and Postman.
• Leverage AI agentic QA tools and extensive automation experience to drive continuous improvement, speed, and efficiency in the software validation pipeline.
• Innovate and develop new, effective ways to simulate complex machine setups in lab environments to supplement and enhance physical testing.
• Apply hands-on machine testing experience to practically evaluate product performance in real-world environments, alongside executing environmental and performance lab tests.

Qualifications

• Experience with Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) validation.
• Experience with dSPACE, Vector tools, Simulink, and Stateflow.
• Experience designing, developing, and maintaining automated API verification frameworks.
• Experience with testing tools like Playwright and Postman.
• Experience with AI agentic QA tools.
• Experience with machine simulation in lab environments.
• Hands-on machine testing experience.
• Experience with environmental and performance lab tests.
• Understanding of Design Verification Plan & Report (DVP&R).
• Understanding of Risk-Based Thinking.