Lead Sensor Simulation Engineer (NVIDIA Omniverse)

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 –

At Caterpillar, technology always has a purpose, which is to solve our customers’ toughest challenges. Through Cat Technology, we are solving problems by building the intelligence layer that connects machines, data, and people to make jobsites safer, more productive, and more sustainable. By combining deep domain expertise in physical systems with software, connectivity, autonomy, and AI, we deliver solutions that work in the real world—on real jobsites, at global scale.

Be Part of What’s Next in Autonomous Construction Sites

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.

If this work motivates you, we invite you to join our team. Apply today to build the new era of construction autonomy at Caterpillar. 

Role Definition

The Sensor Simulation Expert is responsible for the design, development, validation, and continuous improvement of high-fidelity virtual sensor models within the NVIDIA Omniverse ecosystem. This role enables the development of autonomous systems, robotics, digital twins, and virtual validation environments by ensuring simulated sensor outputs accurately represent real-world operating conditions.

The Sensor Simulation Expert serves as the technical authority for virtual sensing technologies, including cameras, LiDAR, radar, GNSS, IMU. Working closely with autonomy, perception, controls, software, and digital twin teams, this individual develops sensor models, validation methodologies, and synthetic data generation pipelines that accelerate product development while reducing reliance on physical testing.

The ideal candidate combines expertise in sensor physics, perception systems, Omniverse development, computer graphics, and simulation technologies to deliver scalable, accurate, and production-ready simulation solutions.

Responsibilities

Sensor Modeling & Simulation

• Develop and maintain high-fidelity simulation models for cameras, LiDAR, radar, GNSS, IMU.
• Define sensor fidelity requirements and performance metrics for simulation-based testing.
• Implement realistic sensor characteristics including noise, distortion, motion blur, occlusions, range limitations, environmental interference, and calibration effects.
• Create configurable sensor models supporting multiple hardware platforms and use cases.

Omniverse Development

• Develop Omniverse Kit extensions, tools, and workflows for sensor simulation applications.
• Leverage OpenUSD and Omniverse technologies to integrate sensors into digital twin environments.
• Create reusable software frameworks for sensor configuration, management, and deployment.
• Support enterprise-scale simulation platforms and virtual engineering workflows.

Sensor Validation & Correlation

• Compare and validate simulated sensor outputs against real-world sensor datasets.
• Establish validation methodologies and acceptance criteria for sensor fidelity.
• Identify gaps between simulation and physical measurements and drive model improvements.
• Develop processes for continuous verification and validation of sensor models.

Autonomy & Perception Support

• Collaborate with perception and autonomy teams to support algorithm development and testing.
• Develop simulation scenarios that challenge perception systems under complex operating conditions.
• Support sensor fusion, localization, object detection, tracking, and environmental perception workflows.
• Enable repeatable testing for autonomous system validation.

Technical Leadership

• Serve as the organization's subject matter expert for sensor simulation technologies.
• Mentor engineers on sensor modeling, simulation, and validation best practices.
• Provide technical guidance on sensor architecture, simulation platforms, and roadmap planning.
• Evaluate emergin