Simulation Runtime Engineer

Job description

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. Help Build the Future of Caterpillar – Be Part of What's Next in Autonomous Construction Sites At Caterpillar, technology always has a purpose, which is to solve our customers' toughest challenges. Construction autonomy is one of the most complex challenges in applied AI, and at Caterpillar, advancements in physical AI, simulation, sensing, and edge computing are turning things that once felt impossible—intelligent machines operating in dynamic jobsites—into reality.

Role Definition

The Simulation Runtime Engineer will develop and support core runtime components, tools, and integrations used to execute simulation, digital twin, robotics, and autonomy workloads. Working with senior and lead engineers, the role will implement production-quality software for runtime services, physics integration, APIs, developer tooling, packaging, testing, and performance improvement.

Responsibilities

Develop, test, and maintain simulation runtime components, reusable libraries, services, tools, and integrations using C++ and Python. Implement features supporting simulation startup, configuration, lifecycle management, execution, shutdown, error handling, and results collection. Integrate runtime components with Unreal Engine, NVIDIA Omniverse, Isaac Sim, physics engines, scenario systems, and platform services. Create and maintain APIs, SDKs, configuration interfaces, command-line tools, and developer utilities.

Support simulation packaging, dependency management, build systems, artifacts, automated deployment, and release workflows. Develop automated unit, integration, regression, and performance tests for runtime components. Profile and improve CPU, GPU, memory, startup, throughput, latency, and runtime stability. Troubleshoot software defects, integration failures, build issues, and performance problems under guidance from senior engineers.

Work with scenario, rendering, digital twin, platform, and QA engineers to integrate and validate end-to-end simulation workflows. Participate in design reviews, code reviews, sprint planning, demonstrations, and technical documentation. Follow engineering standards for modularity, maintainability, version control, testing, security, and documentation. Contribute to developer tooling and workflow improvements that make simulation software easier to build, run, debug, and release.

Qualifications

Software development experience in C++, Python, C#, Java, or another relevant language, with strong fundamentals in data structures, algorithms, and object-oriented design. Experience with Linux, Git, build systems, debugging tools, automated testing, and CI/CD workflows. Knowledge of simulation, game engines, robotics, physics engines, distributed systems, or real-time software is preferred. Exposure to Unreal Engine, NVIDIA Omniverse, Isaac Sim, Unity, Gazebo, AirSim, CARLA, or comparable tools is preferred.

Understanding of APIs, SDKs, software packaging, dependency management, configuration systems, and integration testing. Ability to diagnose software issues through logs, debuggers, profiling tools, and systematic troubleshooting. Experience with Docker, cloud environments, GPU-enabled applications, or performance optimization is a plus. Strong communication, teamwork, learning, and documentation skills. Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Software Engineering, Robotics, or a related discipline.

Typically 2+ years of software engineering experience; relevant academic, research, internship, or project experience may be considered.

Additional Details

This position requires the candidate to work full-time at the Irving, TX office (Dallas) Domestic relocation assistance is available for this position. Visa sponsorship is available with this position.

Summary

Pay Range: $97,530.00 - $158,480.00 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 available for eligible applicants.

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 .