Software Tools Product Owner

Career Area:

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.

The role focuses on modernizing and streamlining legacy software systems by addressing key technical challenges. Responsibilities include upgrading non-standard, outdated codebases to improve maintainability, performance, and security; centralizing source code management to resolve versioning and dependency issues; and implementing controlled deployment mechanisms to ensure reliable application updates. The position requires strong problem-solving skills, experience with legacy technologies, and a commitment to enhancing software quality and operational efficiency.

Scope of work: 

The scope of this initiative encompasses the modernization of legacy tools across two major domains: Composite (CPD) and Turbotronic Tools. The effort aims to enhance software reliability, maintainability, and performance, directly impacting business efficiency and customer satisfaction.

CPD Tools:

• Software ECR (Enterprise Change Request) Enabling Tools
• Composite QA (Quality Assurance) Tools 
• Project Cut Composite Tools 

Turbotronic Tools (project control software):

• Project Cut Turbotronic Tools 
• Sales Order Execution Tools 
• Sales Order QA Tools 
• Sales Order Reporting Tools 

This role is designed to strengthen the Tools Team's capabilities by addressing high support ticket volumes, bridging experience and knowledge gaps, and driving modernization efforts. The position aims to improve customer satisfaction through timely issue resolution. A key aspect of this role is close collaboration with the technical architect to ensure scalable, sustainable solutions that align with enterprise architecture and modernization goals. The role is critical to sustaining long-term productivity and delivering reliable, high-quality support services.

Job Duties/Responsibilities may include but not limited to:

Product Strategy & Ownership

• Define product features, development needs, and roadmaps in collaboration with the business.
• Own and maintain total product cost evaluation, supporting annual Program Implementation Assessment (PIA).
• Make key decisions on product vision, features, release dates, and content to maximize product value.

Agile Product Management

• Create, maintain, and prioritize the Product Backlog; communicate priorities to the team.
• Support sprint planning, backlog refinement, demos, retrospectives, and daily scrums as needed.
• Elaborate Epics, create granular Features and Product Backlog Items, and help define sprint objectives.
• Inspect product progress, accept/reject deliverables, and ensure continuous delivery.

Team & Stakeholder Collaboration

• Work closely with the development team, technical architect, and enterprise stakeholders.
• Coordinate communication across teams to manage dependencies and support product visibility and sales.

Customer & Quality Focus

• Represent internal and external customers, engage to understand issues, and facilitate resolution.
• Prioritize quality initiatives and champion Agile values and practices across the organization.

What You Need To Have:

• Educational Background: Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related degrees.
• Product Management: 5+ years of experience in Solar Products, markets, and applications.
• Problem Solving: Demonstrated ability to identify and understand problems and develop solutions that make Solar Turbine’s customers successful.
• Cross-Functional Collaborator: Demonstrated ability to collaborate with enterprise cross functional teams.
• Effective Communications: Superior oral and written communication skills.
• Continuous Improvement: Proven track record of being a change agent.

Top candidates will also have:

• Agile Expertise: Experience with Agile methodologies, preferably Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe); certified Pro