Lead Data Scientist

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.
At Caterpillar, we rely on insightful data to guide our strategy and solutions. We are seeking a strategic and visionary LeadData Scientist to drive data-driven decision-making across the organization, unlock new business opportunities, and deliver measurable value by leveraging advanced analytics, machine learning, AI and Gen AI.
What You Will Do:

• Act as a thought leader and advisor to senior leadership, stakeholders and cross-functional teams on opportunities to leverage data science to drive business value.
• Identify relevant data sources working with data engineering and analytics teams to mine data for business needs, and collect large structured and unstructured datasets and variables.
• Lead the design, development, and deployment of machine learning models and AI solutions to solve a diverse set of complex business problems (e.g. customer behavior prediction, defect minimization, pricing optimization, demand forecasting, and supply chain network optimization.
• Develop and implement scalable data science frameworks, tools, and methodologies to deliver predictive and prescriptive insights.
• Partner closely with cross-functional teams, including Commercial, Finance, Product Management, Manufacturing, Supply chain & Procurement, to identify high-impact use cases and prioritize data science initiatives.
• Stay abreast of emerging trends, technologies, and best practices in data science, machine learning, and AI, and identify opportunities for their adoption at Caterpillar.
• Establish best practices for model development, validation, deployment, and monitoring to ensure robustness, scalability, and business impact.
• Foster strong relationships with business leaders to ensure alignment between data science initiatives and organizational objectives.
• Ensure compliance with data privacy, security, and ethical standards when designing and deploying machine learning models.
• Identify and mitigate risks associated with data science projects and the use of AI technologies.

What You Have (Core Skills)

• Business Statistics: Deep expertise in statistical modeling, hypothesis testing, decision tree, Clustering Techniques, Supervised Learning - Regression and classification, Tree-based Models for predictive analytics, Natural Language Processing, Recommendation System, Deep Learning Techniques , Time Series Forecasting, and other AI/ML techniques.
• Programming Languages: Hands-on experience with tools and frameworks such as Python, R or similar.
• Machine Learning & experience with data visualization tools.
• Query and Database Access Tools: Strong understanding of data engineering principles including ETL pipelines, data warehousing, and cloud platforms such as AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud.
• Accuracy and Attention to Detail: Excellent communication and storytelling skills, with the ability to convey technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders and influence decision-making at all levels of the organization.
• Analytical Thinking: Demonstrated ability to manage competing priorities, navigate ambiguity, and deliver results in a fast-paced environment.

Top Candidates Will Also Have

• An advanced degree in Mathematics, Data Science, Computer Science or other numerate discipline
• Four to Six years experience in data science
• Exceptional problem-solving skills, with the ability to break down complex challenges into actionable solutions.

Additional Details

• Work location: Cary, NC
• This position requires the candidate to work a 5-day-a-week schedule in the office.
• Visa sponsorship IS NOT available for this role
• Domestic relocation assistance is available for this role

Summary Pay Range:
$126,000.00 - $204,720.00
Compensation and benefits offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, job level, market location, job-related knowledge, skills, individual performance and experience. Please note that salary is only one component of total compensation at Caterpillar.
Benefits:
Subject to plan eligibility, terms, and guidelines. This is a summary list of benefits.

• Medical, dental, and vision benefits*
• Paid time off plan (Vacation, Holidays, Volunteer, etc.)*
• 401(k) savings plans*
• Health Savings Account (HSA)*
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)*
• Health Lifestyle Programs*
• Employee Assistance Program*
• Voluntary Benefits and Employee Discounts*
• Career Development*
• Incentive bonus*
• Disability benefits
• Life Insurance
• Parental leave
• Adoption benefits
• Tuition Reimbursement

* These benefits also apply to part-time employees
Relocation is available for this position.Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position. This employer is not currently hiring foreign national applicants that require or will require sponsorship tied to a specific employer, such as, H, L, TN, F, J, E, O. As a global company, Caterpillar offers many job opportunities outside of the U.S which can be found through our employment website at www.caterpillar.com/careers.
Posting Dates:
May 30, 2025 - June 8, 2025
Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the successful completion of a drug screen.
Caterpillar is an Equal Opportunity Employer, Including Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities.
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