Manager Engineering - UI Transformation

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Manager Engineering - UI Transformation Company: Caterpillar Inc. Location: Bangalore, Karnataka, India Job Type: FULL_TIME Category: Engineering & Technology Management / Software Development Date Posted: October 17, 2025 Experience Level: 10+ Years (Senior Management) Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the strategic vision and execution for a critical UI transformation initiative, focusing on modernizing complex user interfaces and deprecating legacy systems.
• Manage and mentor a significant engineering team, comprising over 15 internal engineers and 25+ external contributors, fostering a high-performance culture.
• Drive the re-architecture of platform extensions to ensure scalability, modularity, and alignment with long-term product vision and strategic technology goals.
• Oversee the end-to-end delivery of complex engineering programs utilizing SAFe/Agile methodologies, ensuring timely and budget-conscious completion.
• Integrate cutting-edge Agentic AI technologies to enhance platform capabilities, automation, and user experience within industrial applications.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a senior engineering management role with a strong emphasis on strategic transformation, team leadership, and technical program execution within the Autonomy and Automation domain. The scope includes both technical modernization and significant team and vendor management.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Define and champion the overarching strategy for UI modernization, platform integration, and the adoption of new technological frameworks.
• Provide direct leadership, mentorship, and performance management for a large, distributed engineering team, cultivating an environment of innovation, collaboration, and accountability.
• Execute complex, multi-year software development programs using SAFe/Agile principles, including managing Release Trains, PI Planning, and backlog prioritization.
• Guide the architectural design and implementation of platform extensions, ensuring they are robust, scalable, and support future business objectives.
• Foster strong collaborative relationships with cross-functional teams including Product Management, UX/UI Design, Quality Assurance, and Operations to ensure integrated, user-centric product delivery.
• Manage all aspects of vendor relationships, including strategic sourcing, contract negotiation, onboarding, performance monitoring, and relationship management.
• Spearhead the integration and adoption of Agentic AI technologies to drive operational efficiencies and enhance the functionality of industrial digital solutions.
• Develop, manage, and report on program budgets, ensuring financial discipline, cost control, and accurate forecasting.
• Proactively identify, assess, and mitigate program risks and issues, communicating transparently with all stakeholders.
• Present regular program updates, strategic insights, and key performance indicators to senior leadership and executive stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic leadership, hands-on program management, and people leadership, emphasizing the need for a candidate who can operate effectively at both the strategic and tactical levels within a complex organizational structure.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field (Required).
• Master’s degree in a relevant technical discipline (Preferred).

Experience:

• 15+ years of progressive experience in engineering leadership, with a proven history of successfully delivering large-scale, complex software development programs.
• Demonstrated expertise in managing and scaling engineering teams, including both internal resources and external vendors/contractors.
• Significant experience leading UI/UX transformation initiatives, modernizing legacy systems, and implementing contemporary front-end frameworks.

Required Skills:

• Strategic Engineering Leadership: Ability to define and execute long-term technology roadmaps and transformation strategies.
• Program & Project Management: Deep understanding and practical application of SAFe/Agile methodologies, including PI Planning, Scrum, and Kanban.
• Vendor Management & Negotiation: Proven experience in managing external development partners, including contract negotiation, performance oversight, and strategic sourcing.
• Agentic AI Integration: Practical knowledge and experience in integrating AI-driven technologies into enterprise software or workflows.
• Budget Management & Financial Acumen: Experience in developing, managing, and forecasting program budgets, including cost control and financial reporting.
• Team Leadership & Development: Skilled in mentoring, coaching, and building high-performing, distributed engineering teams.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Ability to effectively partner with Product Management, Design, QA, and Operations to achieve business objectives.
• Technical Acumen: Strong understanding of modern software architecture principles, UI/UX design best practices, and system modernization strategies.
• Communication & Influence: Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with a proven ability to influence stakeholders at all organizational levels.

Preferred Skills:

• SAFe & Agile Certifications: Certified SAFe Program Consultant (SPC), SAFe Agilist, or similar Agile certifications.
• PMP Certification: Project Management Professional certification.
• Industrial Automation/Enterprise UI: Experience within industrial automation, complex enterprise UI systems, or digital transformation programs in similar sectors.
• Cloud Technologies: Familiarity with cloud-native architectures and deployment models (e.g., AWS, Azure, GCP).

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirements emphasize a blend of deep technical understanding, robust program management capabilities (specifically SAFe/Agile), and strong leadership and vendor management skills. The inclusion of Agentic AI points to a forward-looking technology focus.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Program Delivery Case Studies: Showcase examples of successfully planned, executed, and delivered complex software programs, highlighting scope, team size, and outcomes.
• UI Modernization Projects: Present detailed case studies of legacy system modernization or UI transformation initiatives, demonstrating strategic approach, technical challenges overcome, and impact.
• Team & Vendor Management Examples: Provide evidence of experience managing diverse, multi-disciplinary teams and external vendors, including metrics on team performance and vendor ROI.
• Agile Transformation Impact: Illustrate your role in implementing or optimizing SAFe/Agile frameworks, with tangible examples of process improvements and delivery efficiency gains.
• Budget Management Demonstrations: Examples of managing significant program budgets, including cost optimization strategies and financial reporting.

Process Documentation:

• Agile/SAFe Framework Implementation: Document your approach to establishing and refining Agile Release Trains (ARTs), PI Planning, and continuous integration/continuous delivery (CI/CD) pipelines.
• UI Modernization Strategy: Detail your methodology for assessing legacy systems, defining modernization roadmaps, selecting appropriate frameworks, and managing the transition.
• Vendor Selection & Management Processes: Outline your structured approach to vendor evaluation, contract negotiation, performance tracking, and relationship management.
• Risk Management Framework: Describe your system for identifying, assessing, and mitigating technical and program risks within large-scale engineering projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: While a formal portfolio might not be explicitly requested in the initial application, candidates should be prepared to discuss and present detailed examples of their work that align with these process and systems requirements during interviews, especially for program delivery and transformation initiatives.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Estimated Range: ₹40,00,000 - ₹70,00,000 per annum (INR).
• Notes: This estimate is based on industry benchmarks for senior engineering management roles with 15+ years of experience in Bangalore, India, considering the specified responsibilities including team leadership of 40+ individuals (internal and external), strategic program oversight, and specialized technology integration (Agentic AI). Caterpillar is a large, established corporation, and compensation will reflect the candidate's experience, qualifications, and the strategic importance of this role.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health Insurance (Medical, Dental, Vision) for employee and dependents.
• Retirement Savings Plan (e.g., Provident Fund, Gratuity as per Indian regulations).
• Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick Leave, Public Holidays).
• Performance-based Bonuses and potential for stock options or long-term incentives.
• Relocation Assistance available for eligible candidates.
• Professional Development opportunities, including training, certifications, and conference attendance.
• Access to Caterpillar's global network and resources.
• Employee Assistance Programs (EAP).

Working Hours:

• Standard 40-hour work week.
• Expected working hours are typically aligned with Indian Standard Time (IST).
• Flexibility may be required to accommodate global team collaboration and project deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimation for a senior leadership position in Bangalore, India, considering the extensive experience and large team management scope. Actual compensation will be determined by Caterpillar's internal compensation structure, candidate experience, and negotiation. Benefits are typical for a large multinational corporation operating in India.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Heavy Equipment Manufacturing & Technology Solutions. Caterpillar is a world leader in construction and mining equipment, natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines, and diesel-electric locomotives. The company is increasingly investing in digital solutions, automation, and autonomy to enhance its product offerings and customer value. Company Size: Large Enterprise (Over 10,000 employees globally). Caterpillar is a Fortune 100 company with a significant global footprint. Founded: 1925. With nearly a century of history, Caterpillar has a strong legacy of innovation, reliability, and customer focus.

Team Structure:

• Autonomy and Automation Team: This role sits within a specialized division focused on developing advanced technologies for autonomous operation of heavy machinery and automated processes.
• Reporting Structure: The Manager Engineering will likely report to a Director or Vice President of Engineering within the Autonomy and Automation group, with direct oversight of multiple engineering sub-teams.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: The role necessitates close collaboration with Product Management, UX/UI Design, Software Development teams, Hardware Engineering, Operations, and external technology partners.

Methodology:

• SAFe/Agile Practices: The team operates under the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) to manage complex, multi-team development efforts, emphasizing iterative development, continuous integration, and frequent stakeholder feedback.
• Data-Driven Decision Making: Decisions regarding product development, process improvements, and strategic direction are expected to be informed by data analysis, performance metrics, and customer feedback.
• Innovation & Continuous Improvement: Caterpillar fosters a culture that encourages innovation, problem-solving, and a commitment to continuous improvement in both product development and operational efficiency.

Company Website: https://www.caterpillar.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Caterpillar's culture likely balances its long-standing reputation for industrial strength and reliability with a growing emphasis on cutting-edge technology, digital transformation, and agile methodologies, particularly within specialized teams like Autonomy and Automation.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Senior Management position, equivalent to a Director-level role in many organizations, with significant responsibility for strategic direction, program execution, and large team leadership within a specialized engineering domain. Reporting Structure: The role reports to senior leadership within the Autonomy and Automation engineering division. This position manages a substantial team, including direct reports who may be team leads or senior individual contributors. Operations Impact: The successful candidate will have a direct and significant impact on the future of Caterpillar's digital solutions by leading the modernization of critical UI systems and platform architecture. This will influence product usability, scalability, operational efficiency, and the overall competitiveness of Caterpillar's autonomous and automated offerings.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Expansion: Potential to lead larger engineering departments, manage broader technology portfolios, or transition into executive leadership roles within Caterpillar's technology divisions.
• Strategic Technology Influence: Opportunity to shape Caterpillar's technology strategy, particularly in areas of UI/UX, platform architecture, and AI integration.
• Industry Recognition: Leading transformative projects can lead to opportunities for industry speaking engagements and recognition.
• Specialized Skill Development: Deepen expertise in Agentic AI, industrial automation, and large-scale SAFe implementations.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a clear path for career advancement within a large, reputable organization, providing opportunities to lead significant technological shifts and gain experience in high-impact areas like AI and automation in an industrial context.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: On-site position. This requires the candidate to be physically present at the Caterpillar office in Bangalore, Karnataka. Office Location(s): Bangalore, Karnataka, India. This major technology hub offers a vibrant ecosystem for engineering talent.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The role requires extensive collaboration with a diverse, cross-functional team, suggesting an open or hybrid office layout conducive to team discussions and problem-solving.
• Technology & Tools: Access to modern engineering tools, development environments, and collaboration platforms will be provided to support efficient program execution and team management.
• Team Interaction: Opportunities for regular interaction with internal engineering teams, product managers, UX designers, and potentially with external vendor representatives.

Work Schedule:

• Primarily standard business hours (IST), but flexibility may be necessary to coordinate with global teams and manage critical project phases or urgent issues.
• The role demands consistent availability and engagement due to its leadership and program management responsibilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement suggests a company culture that values in-person collaboration and team cohesion, which is common for roles involving complex project management and team leadership in large enterprises.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR and Talent Acquisition will review applications based on the stated requirements, focusing on leadership experience, SAFe/Agile proficiency, and UI transformation background.
• Hiring Manager Interview: A deep dive into your experience with team management, program delivery, vendor relations, and technical leadership, particularly concerning UI modernization and AI.
• Technical/Panel Interview: Assessment of your technical understanding of UI architectures, software development lifecycle, SAFe/Agile practices, and Agentic AI concepts. This may involve a panel of senior engineers and architects.
• Strategic Case Study/Presentation: You may be asked to prepare and present a case study on how you would approach a specific UI transformation challenge, manage a large program, or integrate a new technology.
• Senior Leadership Interview: Final interview with a Director or VP, focusing on strategic vision, cultural fit, and alignment with Caterpillar's long-term goals.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Quantify Achievements: For each project presented, clearly articulate the business impact using quantifiable metrics (e.g., % reduction in legacy code, % improvement in user adoption, % cost savings from vendor consolidation, on-time delivery rates).
• Showcase Leadership: Highlight your role in mentoring teams, resolving conflicts, driving consensus, and fostering a positive team dynamic.
• Detail Process Methodology: Clearly explain your approach to SAFe/Agile implementation, program planning, risk management, and vendor selection/management. Use diagrams or flowcharts if helpful.
• Focus on Transformation: Emphasize your experience in leading significant change initiatives, such as UI modernization or platform re-architecture, detailing the challenges and how you navigated them.
• Tailor to Caterpillar: Research Caterpillar's current technological initiatives and product lines to tailor your portfolio examples to demonstrate relevant experience and strategic thinking.

Challenge Preparation:

• SAFe/Agile Scenario: Be prepared to discuss how you would manage an Agile Release Train, handle scope changes during a PI, or resolve dependencies between multiple teams.
• UI Modernization Strategy: Prepare to outline your approach to assessing a complex legacy UI, defining a modernization strategy, and managing the phased rollout.
• Team Leadership Dilemma: Anticipate questions about managing underperforming team members, resolving inter-team conflicts, or motivating a large, distributed workforce.
• Agentic AI Integration: Be ready to discuss potential use cases for Agentic AI within Caterpillar's context and the technical/organizational considerations for its adoption.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is designed to assess leadership, strategic thinking, technical depth, and alignment with Caterpillar's operational methodologies. A well-prepared portfolio and thoughtful responses to scenario-based questions will be crucial.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• SAFe/Agile Management Tools: Jira, Confluence, Azure DevOps, Rally (or similar ALM tools) for backlog management, sprint planning, and progress tracking.
• Project Management Software: Microsoft Project, Asana, or similar for broader program planning and resource allocation.
• Collaboration Platforms: Microsoft Teams, Slack, Zoom for day-to-day team communication and virtual meetings.
• Version Control Systems: Git (e.g., GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket) for code management.

Analytics & Reporting:

• BI & Dashboarding Tools: Tableau, Power BI, QlikView for creating dashboards to monitor program health, team performance, and key engineering metrics.
• Application Performance Monitoring (APM) Tools: Dynatrace, New Relic, AppDynamics for monitoring UI performance and system stability.
• CI/CD Tools: Jenkins, GitLab CI, Azure Pipelines for automated build, test, and deployment processes.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly customer-facing CRM, understanding how engineering outputs integrate with enterprise systems (ERP, PLM) is crucial.
• DevOps Automation: Familiarity with infrastructure as code (IaC) tools like Terraform or Ansible may be beneficial.
• AI/ML Platforms: Experience with platforms like TensorFlow, PyTorch, or cloud-based AI services (AWS SageMaker, Azure ML) would be advantageous for Agentic AI integration.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in SAFe/Agile project management tools is essential. Familiarity with modern CI/CD pipelines, cloud-based development practices, and AI/ML platforms will be highly valued given the role's focus on transformation and Agentic AI.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Safety & Quality: A fundamental value in any heavy industry, ensuring that all engineering processes and outputs meet stringent safety and quality standards.
• Integrity: Upholding ethical standards in all business dealings, team interactions, and project execution.
• Commitment: Dedication to customer success, project completion, and delivering on promises.
• Innovation: Encouraging creative problem-solving, embracing new technologies, and driving continuous improvement in processes and products.
• Sustainment: A growing emphasis on developing products and processes that contribute to environmental sustainability and long-term viability.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: A strong emphasis on breaking down silos between engineering disciplines, product management, and operations to ensure holistic product development.
• Open Communication: Encouraging transparency, constructive feedback, and direct communication to resolve issues efficiently.
• Team Empowerment: Fostering an environment where team members feel empowered to take ownership, contribute ideas, and drive solutions.
• Global Teamwork: Navigating and leveraging diverse perspectives from a global workforce to achieve common goals.

📝 Enhancement Note: Caterpillar's values likely reflect a blend of traditional industrial ethics with modern agile and innovation-focused principles. The culture will likely be results-oriented, with a strong emphasis on teamwork and continuous improvement within a global context.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Managing Scale & Complexity: Leading a large, distributed team (40+ individuals) and overseeing a complex UI transformation initiative within a large enterprise requires sophisticated program management and leadership skills.
• Legacy System Modernization: Deprecating and replacing deeply integrated legacy UI components while ensuring minimal disruption to ongoing operations presents significant technical and logistical hurdles.
• Cross-Functional Alignment: Aligning diverse stakeholder needs and priorities across multiple departments (Engineering, Product, UX, Operations) can be challenging.
• Adoption of New Technologies: Successfully integrating Agentic AI requires not only technical feasibility but also cultural buy-in and change management across the organization.
• Vendor Coordination: Effectively managing multiple external vendors, ensuring their deliverables meet quality standards and timelines, and controlling costs.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced SAFe/Agile Training: Opportunities to deepen expertise in SAFe methodologies and potentially gain advanced certifications.
• AI/ML Leadership: Leading the integration of Agentic AI provides a unique opportunity to develop expertise in this cutting-edge field within an industrial context.
• Strategic Leadership Development: Exposure to executive-level decision-making and strategic planning for major technology initiatives.
• Global Operations Exposure: Gaining experience managing teams and projects across different geographies and cultural contexts.
• Industry Conferences: Potential for participation in leading technology and engineering conferences to stay abreast of industry trends and network with peers.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role presents significant challenges that are also rich opportunities for professional growth, particularly in areas of large-scale transformation, advanced technology integration, and executive-level leadership.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you led a significant UI transformation or legacy system modernization. What was your strategy, what were the key challenges, and what was the outcome?" (Focus: Strategic planning, execution, problem-solving, quantifiable results).
• "How would you approach managing a team of 40+ engineers, including internal staff and external contractors, to achieve aggressive program goals under the SAFe framework?" (Focus: Team leadership, SAFe/Agile execution, resource management, conflict resolution).
• "Walk me through your process for selecting and managing external technology vendors for a critical project. What metrics do you use to ensure success?" (Focus: Vendor management, contract negotiation, performance tracking, ROI).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "Based on your understanding of Caterpillar and the Autonomy/Automation team, how would you foster a culture of innovation and accountability within your engineering group?" (Focus: Cultural fit, leadership style, understanding of company values).
• "How do you ensure effective communication and collaboration between your team and other departments like Product Management and UX/UI Design?" (Focus: Cross-functional collaboration, communication strategies).
• "How do you measure the success of an engineering program beyond just on-time and on-budget delivery? What operational impact do you focus on?" (Focus: Operations impact, metrics, data-driven approach).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each case study, follow a clear problem-solution-result structure. Define the challenge, your strategic approach, the specific actions taken (including team and vendor management), and the measurable outcomes.
• Highlight Leadership & Process: Clearly articulate your role in leading the team, defining the processes used (e.g., SAFe ceremonies, vendor selection criteria), and making key decisions.
• Visualize Impact: Use charts, graphs, or dashboards to present key metrics and demonstrate ROI for your transformation projects. Show before-and-after comparisons where applicable.
• Address Agentic AI: If you have relevant experience, be prepared to discuss potential applications and implementation considerations for Agentic AI within Caterpillar's product ecosystem.
• Be Ready for Q&A: Anticipate detailed questions about your methodologies, decision-making processes, and how you handle challenges.

📝 Enhancement Note: Prepare specific, detailed examples that directly address the core responsibilities of the role, emphasizing leadership, strategic transformation, SAFe/Agile execution, and vendor management. Quantifiable results and a clear demonstration of your strategic thinking will be paramount.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Engineering Management position:

• Submit your Application: Navigate to the provided job link on the Caterpillar Careers portal and submit your resume and any requested supplementary documents.
• Tailor Your Resume: Ensure your resume highlights your 15+ years of engineering leadership experience, specific achievements in UI transformation and legacy system modernization, deep knowledge of SAFe/Agile methodologies, and experience managing large teams and vendors.
• Prepare Your Portfolio Details: Gather specific examples and data points for your most impactful UI transformation, program delivery, and team/vendor management initiatives. Be ready to discuss these in detail during interviews.
• Research Caterpillar: Familiarize yourself with Caterpillar's current product lines, its focus on autonomy and automation, and its recent technology initiatives. Understand its global reach and operational scale.
• Practice Interview Responses: Rehearse answers to common interview questions, focusing on behavioral examples that demonstrate your leadership, strategic thinking, and problem-solving skills in complex engineering environments.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.

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