Senior Autonomy UX Researcher

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Autonomy UX Researcher

Company: Caterpillar Inc.

Location: Chicago, Illinois, United States

Job Type: Full time

Category: User Experience Research / Product Development

Date Posted: 2026-08-03

Experience Level: 5-10 years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive the complete user research process for autonomous machine software, focusing on offboard planning, assignment, and monitoring systems.

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including Product Management, Design, Engineering, and Marketing to translate user insights into actionable strategies and product roadmaps.

• Conduct a variety of user research studies, such as surveys, in-depth interviews, field studies, and prototype testing, with a particular emphasis on rapid AI prototypes.

• Ensure the development of intuitive, accessible, and globally usable product and service experiences by championing a customer-centered decision-making process.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Senior Autonomy UX Researcher," the core responsibilities and required skills strongly align with roles focused on the intersection of user experience and product strategy within a technology and engineering-driven environment. The emphasis on "offboard software" for autonomous machines suggests a focus on user interfaces and workflows that manage complex physical systems, rather than direct machine control. This role is crucial for translating the capabilities of advanced AI and physical systems into practical, user-friendly solutions for Caterpillar's customers and dealers.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Partner with Product Management, Design, Engineering, and Marketing teams to understand business needs and define comprehensive research objectives.

• Design, plan, and execute a range of qualitative and quantitative user research studies, including but not limited to surveys, in-depth interviews, field studies, focus groups, and concept/prototype testing, with a special focus on rapid AI prototypes.

• Analyze and synthesize research data from diverse sources to identify key user pain points, needs, and opportunities for innovation in autonomous machine software.

• Translate research findings into clear, compelling, and actionable recommendations that directly influence product strategy, design decisions, and the overall development roadmap.

• Foster strong collaborative relationships with cross-functional stakeholders to ensure research insights are effectively integrated into the product development lifecycle.

• Identify and prioritize research questions based on a thorough analysis of existing product designs, business objectives, project goals, and identified risks.

• Communicate research results and strategic opportunities effectively to all levels of management through compelling presentations and storytelling.

• Drive measurable impact on product and service design and development through the application of user research insights.

• Potentially travel up to 20% to engage with Cat customers, dealers, and internal sites to gather direct user feedback and observe real-world usage contexts.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a senior-level role requiring end-to-end ownership of the research lifecycle. The emphasis on "offboard software" and "autonomous machines" indicates a specialized domain within UX research, requiring an understanding of complex systems and user workflows for managing and monitoring sophisticated technology. The requirement to "drive impact" suggests a need for proactive research initiatives and a strong ability to influence product strategy.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Market Research, Anthropology, Psychology, Sociology, Cognitive Science, Information Science, or a closely related field, OR equivalent practical experience. Experience:

• Requires relevant professional work experience, specifically including demonstrated experience integrating user research findings into tangible product and service designs and design practices. Required Skills:

• User Research Methodologies: Expertise in designing and conducting a variety of research studies, including surveys, in-depth interviews, field studies, focus groups, and concept/prototype testing, with a strong emphasis on rapid AI prototypes.

• Human-Centered Design (HCD): Deep understanding of HCD principles and the ability to champion user perspectives throughout the design and development process.

• User Experience (UX) Design: Knowledge of UX design tools, techniques, and approaches to create products that are valued and effectively used by clients.

• User Interface (UI) Design: Understanding of UI design principles for creating effective graphical interfaces for information delivery.

• Data Analysis & Synthesis: Ability to analyze qualitative data to extract actionable insights and develop well-supported recommendations.

• Communication & Storytelling: Excellent interpersonal, communication, and collaboration skills, with the ability to create compelling presentations and convey insights and solutions effectively across all levels of the organization.

• Critical Thinking & Decision Making: Ability to accurately analyze situations and make informed judgments to drive productive decisions.

• Adaptability: Comfort and effectiveness in working within uncertain environments and a rapid pace of change.

• Portfolio: A strong portfolio demonstrating past work experience, key deliverables, and the ability to extract actionable insights from qualitative data.

Preferred Skills:

• Strategy & Interaction Balance: A balanced understanding of strategy, research, and interaction design.

• Applied Research Experience: Experience conducting customer research in an applied setting, particularly within startup environments.

• Market Research Tools: Familiarity with standard market research tools.

• Physical & Digital Research: Strong experience in both physical and digital customer research.

• Remote & In-Person Research: Excellent working knowledge of both remote and in-person qualitative research methodologies.

• Experiment Design: Strong working knowledge of the principles of experiment design.

• Quantitative Methods & Statistics: Familiarity with quantitative methods and statistical analysis is preferred.

• Flexibility/Adaptability: Ability to change direction based upon team and stakeholder consensus.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirements emphasize a blend of deep research expertise and strong collaboration skills. The need for a portfolio is critical, underscoring the importance of demonstrating practical application of research skills. The distinction between "Required" and "Desirable" qualifications helps candidates prioritize their development and highlight relevant experiences. The mention of "rapid AI prototypes" points to a need for agility and experience with evolving technologies.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrated Research Impact: Showcase case studies where your research directly influenced product strategy, design iterations, or led to measurable improvements in user experience and product adoption.

• Methodology Diversity: Include examples of research projects utilizing a variety of methodologies (qualitative and quantitative, in-person and remote, concept testing, field studies, etc.) to address different research questions.

• Insight Generation: Clearly articulate the process of moving from raw data to actionable insights, highlighting your analytical approach and how you identified key user needs or pain points.

• Deliverable Examples: Present examples of research deliverables such as user personas, journey maps, research reports, and presentations, demonstrating your ability to communicate findings effectively.

• Problem/Solution Framing: For each project, clearly define the initial problem or research question, the methodology used, the insights discovered, and the recommended solutions or design changes.

Process Documentation:

• Research Planning & Design: Documentation of how you approach the planning and design of research studies, including stakeholder alignment, defining research questions, and selecting appropriate methodologies.

• Data Collection & Analysis: Examples of your process for data collection, synthesis, and analysis, highlighting any tools or techniques used to ensure rigor and efficiency.

• Insight Translation & Recommendation: Documentation of your process for translating research findings into concrete, actionable recommendations for product and design teams, and how you track their implementation.

• Collaboration & Communication: Evidence of how you document and communicate research plans, findings, and recommendations to cross-functional teams and leadership.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior UX Researcher role, the portfolio is paramount. It serves as tangible proof of their ability to conduct research, derive insights, and drive product improvements. The emphasis should be on demonstrating impact and a systematic approach to the entire research lifecycle, from planning to influencing product roadmaps.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $112,710 - $183,140 USD per year.

Benefits:

• Health & Wellness:

  • Medical, dental, and vision benefits.
  • Health Savings Account (HSA).
  • Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs).
  • Health Lifestyle Programs.
  • Employee Assistance Program.

• Time Off & Leave:

  • Paid time off plan (Vacation, Holidays, Volunteer, etc.).
  • Parental leave.
  • Adoption benefits.

• Financial & Retirement:

  • 401(k) savings plans.
  • Incentive bonus.
  • Disability benefits.
  • Life Insurance.

• Development & Support:

  • Career Development opportunities.

  • Tuition Reimbursement.

  • Voluntary Benefits and Employee Discounts. Working Hours:

• 40 hours per week, standard full-time employment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided salary range is a broad estimate for a Senior UX Researcher in the Chicago area, reflecting the experience level and the nature of the role within a large, established corporation like Caterpillar. The specific compensation will be individualized based on factors such as the candidate's precise experience, skills, interview performance, and local market conditions. The comprehensive benefits package is standard for a large enterprise, offering robust support for employees and their families.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Heavy Equipment Manufacturing & Technology Solutions. Caterpillar is a global leader in construction and mining equipment, engines, and industrial solutions, now heavily invested in digital and autonomous technologies.

Company Size: Large enterprise (over 10,000 employees). This indicates a structured environment with established processes, significant resources, and opportunities for diverse career paths.

Founded: 1925. With nearly a century of history, Caterpillar has a deep-rooted culture of innovation, reliability, and customer focus, evolving to meet modern technological demands.

Team Structure:

• Cat Digital: This role is part of Caterpillar's digital and technology arm, "Cat Digital," which focuses on building leading digital solutions, leveraging data, AI, and telematics.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: The UX Researcher will work closely with Product Management, Design, Web Development, Marketing, and Engineering teams, indicating a highly collaborative and integrated product development environment.

• Research Team Integration: The role involves partnering with other researchers and data analytics teams, suggesting a coordinated approach to understanding user behavior and market trends.

Methodology:

• Customer-Centricity: A strong emphasis on understanding customer needs and translating them into usable and valuable product experiences.

• Data-Driven Decisions: Leveraging data analytics, advanced analytics, telematics, and AI to inform strategies and product development.

• Innovation in Autonomy: Focused on pushing the boundaries of applied AI and intelligent machine operation in complex environments like construction sites.

• Agile Development: The fast-paced, rapidly changing environment suggests an adoption of agile or iterative development methodologies.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Caterpillar's transition into "Cat Digital" signifies a major strategic shift towards technology and data-driven solutions, making this role integral to the company's future. The culture likely blends traditional industrial engineering values with a forward-thinking approach to digital innovation and autonomy.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior-level UX Researcher. This position is responsible for leading research initiatives independently, influencing strategy, and mentoring junior team members. It signifies a deep level of expertise and autonomy in research practice.

Reporting Structure: The role reports to a Research Manager or similar leadership within Cat Digital, with close collaboration with Product Managers, Design Leads, and Engineering Directors. The precise reporting line will determine direct mentorship and strategic alignment.

Operations Impact: This role has a direct impact on the usability, effectiveness, and customer adoption of Caterpillar's autonomous machine software. By ensuring these systems are intuitive and accessible, the researcher contributes to safer, more productive operations for customers, ultimately driving customer satisfaction, loyalty, and revenue growth.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization in Autonomy: Deepen expertise in UX research for complex, AI-driven systems, a high-demand and evolving field.

• Leadership & Mentorship: Opportunity to mentor junior researchers, lead research projects, and potentially manage research initiatives or teams as the autonomy product suite expands.

• Cross-Functional Influence: Gain broad experience working across various departments (Product, Engineering, Marketing) and influence strategic product decisions at a global enterprise level.

• Advanced Technology Exposure: Work at the forefront of applied AI, physical AI, simulation, and edge computing within the heavy equipment industry.

• Career Path Expansion: Potential to move into Product Management, Design Leadership, or specialized research roles within Cat Digital or other Caterpillar divisions.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a significant opportunity for career growth within a Fortune 100 company transitioning into cutting-edge technology. The "Senior" title implies a pathway to leadership, and the specialized domain of autonomy research is a strong differentiator for future career prospects.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is an on-site role, indicating a traditional office environment where in-person collaboration is prioritized. The specific office setup will likely be modern, designed to foster collaboration among cross-functional teams.

Office Location(s): Preferred locations include Chicago, IL; Peoria, IL; or Westminster, CO. These locations offer access to talent pools and proximity to relevant business operations.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: Expect open-plan areas, meeting rooms, and potentially dedicated research labs or usability testing facilities to facilitate interaction and testing.

• Technology Access: Access to industry-leading software, hardware, and potentially specialized equipment for testing autonomous system interfaces.

• Team Interaction: Frequent opportunities to interact with designers, product managers, engineers, and other researchers, fostering a dynamic and interactive work atmosphere.

Work Schedule:

• Standard 40-hour work week. Given the project-driven nature of technology development, occasional flexibility may be required to meet deadlines, but the role is not described as one requiring extensive overtime.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement is a key factor. It suggests that Caterpillar values in-person collaboration, spontaneous idea generation, and direct team interaction for its complex technology development initiatives, particularly in a field like autonomy where physical and digital systems converge.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR or Recruiter call to assess basic qualifications, experience, and cultural fit.

• Hiring Manager Interview: Discussion with the hiring manager to delve deeper into your experience, research philosophy, and suitability for the Senior Autonomy UX Researcher role.

• Portfolio Presentation: A key stage where you will present your portfolio, showcasing 2-3 impactful projects. Be prepared to discuss your process, insights, and the impact of your research.

• Cross-Functional Interviews: Interviews with key stakeholders such as Product Managers, Designers, and Engineers to assess your collaboration skills and ability to integrate research into their workflows.

• Skills/Scenario-Based Interview: May involve a case study or scenario-based questions to evaluate your problem-solving approach, research design skills, and ability to handle complex research challenges.

• Final Interview: Potentially with a senior leader within Cat Digital for final assessment.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Select Impactful Projects: Choose projects that demonstrate your ability to drive significant product changes and business impact, ideally related to complex systems or software.

• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly outline the problem, your role, the research methodology, your key insights, the recommendations you made, and the resulting impact (quantifiable if possible).

• Showcase Your Process: Detail your thought process, how you selected methodologies, and how you synthesized data to arrive at actionable insights.

• Highlight Collaboration: Emphasize how you worked with cross-functional teams and communicated your findings effectively.

• Focus on Autonomy Relevance: If possible, highlight any experience or understanding of complex systems, AI, or software that manages physical operations.

Challenge Preparation:

• Research Design: Be prepared to design a research study for a hypothetical product or feature related to autonomous machines or their management software.

• Problem-Solving: Anticipate questions about how you would approach ambiguous research problems or conflicting stakeholder needs.

• Insight Articulation: Practice clearly and concisely explaining complex research findings and their implications for product strategy.

• Stakeholder Management: Prepare to discuss how you manage relationships and communicate with diverse stakeholders, including engineers and business leaders.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio presentation is a critical component. Candidates should prepare thoroughly to demonstrate not just research skills but also strategic thinking and the ability to influence product direction within a complex industrial technology context.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• User Research Platforms: Tools for survey creation, participant recruitment, and remote usability testing (e.g., Qualtrics, SurveyMonkey, UserTesting.com, Lookback).

• Collaboration & Prototyping: Tools for collaborative design and rapid prototyping (e.g., Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, Miro).

• Data Analysis Software: Tools for qualitative data analysis (e.g., Dovetail, NVivo) and potentially quantitative analysis (e.g., Excel, R, SPSS, Python for statistical analysis).

• Presentation Software: Standard tools for creating compelling presentations (e.g., PowerPoint, Google Slides).

Analytics & Reporting:

• Data Visualization Tools: Potentially involved with tools like Tableau or Power BI for understanding user behavior metrics or presenting research findings in a visual format.

• CRM & Product Analytics: Familiarity with how user data is tracked within CRM systems or product analytics platforms (e.g., Salesforce, Amplitude, Mixpanel) to inform research.

CRM & Automation:

• CRM Systems: Understanding how user data is managed in systems like Salesforce, which informs customer segmentation and research targeting.

• Project Management Tools: Familiarity with tools like Jira, Asana, or Trello for managing research projects and workflows.

📝 Enhancement Note: While specific tools are not listed, the description implies a need for proficiency in a standard UX research toolkit, with an emphasis on qualitative and quantitative data analysis, collaboration, and effective communication. Experience with tools used in fast-paced, iterative development environments is beneficial.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Customer Focus: A deep commitment to understanding and serving the needs of Caterpillar's global customer base.

• Innovation & Progress: Driving advancements in technology, particularly in autonomy and digital solutions, to shape the future of the industry.

• Integrity & Reliability: Upholding the company's long-standing reputation for quality, durability, and ethical business practices.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: Fostering a supportive environment where diverse teams work together to achieve common goals.

• Data-Driven Approach: Valuing insights derived from data and research to inform strategic decisions and product development.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Strong emphasis on working seamlessly with Product Management, Design, Engineering, and Marketing to ensure holistic product development.

• Open Communication: Encouraging transparent dialogue and constructive feedback exchange among team members.

• Shared Ownership: Fostering a sense of collective responsibility for product success, from concept to launch and beyond.

• Agile & Iterative: Embracing flexibility and adaptability in workflows to respond to evolving business needs and technological advancements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture likely reflects a balance between Caterpillar's established industrial heritage and its ambitious push into digital and autonomous technologies. The values emphasize both robust engineering principles and a forward-looking, customer-centric approach to innovation.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Complexity of Autonomy: Researching user needs for highly complex, safety-critical autonomous systems in dynamic and hazardous environments presents unique methodological and analytical challenges.

• Bridging Physical & Digital: Translating insights from the physical world of heavy machinery into intuitive and effective digital interfaces requires a nuanced understanding.

• Global User Base: Designing for a diverse global audience with varying technical aptitudes, cultural norms, and operational contexts requires extensive research and careful consideration.

• Pace of Innovation: Keeping pace with rapid advancements in AI, machine learning, and autonomous technology while ensuring user needs are met requires continuous learning and adaptability.

• Stakeholder Alignment: Effectively navigating and aligning the priorities of various stakeholders (Engineering, Product, Marketing, Sales, Leadership) can be demanding.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialized UX for Autonomy: Deepen expertise in UX research for complex AI systems, autonomous vehicles, and industrial IoT.

• Industry Knowledge: Gain in-depth understanding of the construction, mining, and heavy equipment industries, and how technology impacts operations.

• Advanced Methodologies: Explore and implement cutting-edge research techniques, including advanced AI prototyping and simulation-based testing.

• Leadership Development: Opportunities to hone leadership skills through project leadership, mentorship, and potential team management.

• Cross-Functional Exposure: Broaden understanding of product development lifecycles across engineering, product management, and go-to-market functions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role offers a chance to tackle some of the most challenging and exciting problems in applied AI and UX. Successfully navigating these challenges provides significant opportunities for professional growth and specialization.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to influence a product roadmap based on your research findings. What was your approach, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on demonstrating impact and communication skills).

• "How would you approach researching the user experience for a new feature that allows operators to remotely monitor and assign tasks to a fleet of autonomous excavators?" (Prepare a research plan, including methodologies and key questions).

• "Imagine stakeholders have conflicting opinions on a product design based on their experience. How would you use research to resolve this and guide the team toward a user-centered decision?" (Showcase conflict resolution and user advocacy). Company & Culture Questions:

• "Based on your understanding of Caterpillar and the autonomy space, what do you see as the biggest UX challenges for our customers?" (Demonstrate research into the company and industry).

• "How do you see your role contributing to Caterpillar's digital transformation and its goals in autonomous technology?" (Align your skills with company objectives).

• "Describe your experience working in a fast-paced, cross-functional environment. How do you ensure effective collaboration and communication?" (Highlight adaptability and teamwork). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Project Selection: Choose 2-3 projects that best showcase your research process, strategic thinking, and impact, ideally with some relevance to complex systems or software.

• Narrative Flow: Structure each project presentation with a clear beginning (problem/goal), middle (your process, insights), and end (recommendations, impact).

• Quantify Impact: Wherever possible, use metrics to demonstrate the success of your research and recommendations.

• Highlight Collaboration: Explain how you partnered with designers, product managers, and engineers.

• Be Ready for Deep Dives: Anticipate questions about your methodology choices, data interpretation, and how you handled challenges within each project.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on demonstrating not only research proficiency but also strategic thinking, collaboration, and the ability to drive tangible business outcomes within a complex industrial technology context.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Autonomy UX Researcher position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Caterpillar Careers portal.

• Portfolio Customization: Prepare your portfolio to highlight 2-3 key projects that demonstrate your end-to-end research process, ability to derive actionable insights, and impact on product development, ideally with examples related to complex software or systems.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to emphasize relevant keywords such as "User Research," "Human-Centered Design," "Qualitative Research," "Autonomy," "UX Strategy," and "Cross-functional Collaboration." Quantify achievements where possible.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your research process, methodologies, and insights clearly and concisely. Prepare for portfolio presentations and potential scenario-based questions related to UX research in industrial technology.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Caterpillar's digital initiatives, their focus on autonomy, and the broader heavy equipment industry to better understand the context and challenges of the role.

⚠️ 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.