Systems Engineer (Onsite) in Tucson, AZ

Job Title

Systems Engineer (Onsite)

Duration

24+ months

Location

Tucson AZ

Call Notes:

His team operates out of Caterpillar’s Tucson Proving Grounds, a 6,000-acre test and development facility dedicated to real-world testing and validation of large mining equipment.

The team supports Mining Technologies products, specifically:

• Command for Hauling – Autonomous Trucks
• Command for Drilling – Autonomous Drills

The work is conducted directly on machines in an environment designed to closely replicate real customer mine sites. This team serves as the final validation checkpoint before products are released to customers.

Role Description & Responsibilities

The positions focus on on-machine integration, testing, and validation of autonomous systems. Engineers are responsible for:

• Executing real-world machine tests
• Troubleshooting complex system and software behaviors
• Identifying, documenting, and tracking issues
• Verifying corrective actions and fixes
• Ensuring products meet performance, safety, and reliability requirements

A typical workday includes a mix of:

• Field work (primary focus): On-machine testing, system troubleshooting, component swaps, and wiring checks
• Office work: Reviewing and analyzing test data, collaborating with software and validation teams, updating test plans, and documentation

The role averages 70% field work and 30% office work.

Hiring Needs

• Autonomous Truck Team: 3 openings
• Autonomous Drill Team: 1 opening

The autonomous truck team is larger and supports more platforms, while the drill team is smaller with fewer platforms. From a technical standpoint, the work and responsibilities are largely similar across both roles.

Key Technical Skills & Experience

Top technical skills:

• End-product testing or systems integration experience
• Strong troubleshooting of complex systems
• Data analysis and test result interpretation

Relevant experience includes:

• Automotive, heavy machinery, or industrial equipment testing
• Autonomous systems validation experience
• ADAS validation experience (acceptable)
• Powertrain, calibration, emissions, or OBD validation backgrounds (considered)

Candidates with limited autonomy exposure may still be considered if they demonstrate strong testing and validation fundamentals.

Education Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or Master’s degree (both acceptable)
• Associate’s degree may be considered depending on years and relevance of experience
• Entry-level candidates may be considered if supported by strong internships, research, or hands-on academic projects

Disqualifiers

Candidates may be disqualified if they:

• Are unwilling to work 100% onsite
• Have prior safety incidents or unsafe work practices
• Are uncomfortable working around large machinery
• Lack core system-level thinking or troubleshooting fundamentals

Candidates with predominantly software-only or embedded backgrounds may be deprioritized if stronger validation-focused candidates are available.

Job Description

The main function of a systems engineer is to apply the principles of computer science and mathematical analysis to the design, development, testing, and evaluation of the software and systems that make computers work. A typical systems engineer analyzes user needs, and then designs, tests, and develops software to meet those needs.

Job Responsibilities:

• Direct programmers and analysts to make changes to existing databases and database management systems.
• Direct others in coding logical and physical database descriptions.
• Review project requests describing database user needs to estimate time and cost required to accomplish project.
• Review and approve database development and determine project scope and limitations.
• Approve, schedule, plan and supervise the installation and testing of new products and improvements to computer systems.
• Implement security measures to safeguard information in computer files against accidental or unauthorized damage, modification or disclosure.
• Develop standards and guidelines to guide the use and acquisition of software and to protect vulnerable information.

Skills:

• Verbal and written communication skills, problem solving skills, customer service and interpersonal skills.
• Strong ability to work independently and manage one’s time.
• Strong leadership and mentoring skills necessary to provide support and constructive performance feedback.
• Strong knowledge of the full software development lifecycle: from business/systems analysis, through requirements gathering and functional specification authoring, to development, testing and delivery.
• Strong ability to troubleshoot issues and make system changes as needed to resolve issue.
• Strong knowledge of circuit boards, processors, electronic equipment and computer hardware and software.
• Strong knowledge of computer development software across multiple platforms.

Why this Role?

• Hands-on experience with large machines: Gain practical knowledge and expertise in working with heavy machinery in real-world scenarios.
• Understanding autonomy systems: Develop a deep understanding of hardware, software, and customer usage related to autonomous systems.
• Test and validation planning: Learn how to design and execute comprehensive test and validation plans for autonomous systems and machinery.
• On-machine testing: Acquire skills in conducting on-machine testing to ensure system functionality and reliability.
• Data analysis: Build proficiency in analyzing data to derive insights and improve system performance.
• Collaboration with software developers: Enhance communication and teamwork skills by interfacing with software development teams to align technical requirements.
• Customer interaction: Gain exposure to end customers, understanding their needs and feedback to improve product design and functionality.

Work environment:

Hot, dry, dusty work environment that is comparable to working in Mining Applications

Work site is a remote building on the property

Education & Experience Required:

Years of experience: 5-7 years of experience. With a master’s degree, will accept less years.

Degree requirement: Requires a bachelor’s degree in an accredited Engineering or Computer Science curriculum or in lieu of a degree experience in test or development of control systems, vehicles, engines, or technologies such as autonomy.

Do you accept internships as job experience: yes

Are there past or additional job titles or roles that would provide comparable background to this role: Something in the vehicle test or validation space. Working with the equipment that the company produces.

Top 3 Skills

• Computer literate (windows operating system)
• Troubleshooting issues in complex systems

(Desired)

• Ubuntu or Linux operating systems
• Test planning/documentation
• Electrical schematics
• Autonomous systems such as perception, planning, or positioning

Thanks & Regards

Mridul Kant

Sr. Technical Recruiter

Wise Equation Solutions Inc.

(Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Company)

Office: (512) 737-9276, Ext: 130

Email: mridul@wiseq.net