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Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # IT Software Engineer 5 (Lead SDET / Test Automation Lead) - **Company:** Caterpillar - **Location:** Chicago, IL, United States - **Experience:** Expert - **Contract:** Temporary contract - **Skills:** Java (Programming Language), JavaScript (Programming Language), Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), Agile Methodology, Amazon Web Services, Automation of Tests, Software Quality, Code Review, Databases, Continuous Integration, Relational Databases, DevOps, Apache JMeter, Python (Programming Language), Load Testing, Regression Testing, E2e Testing, Standard Sql, Selenium, Software Testing Automation Framework, System Testing, Test Case, Strategies of Testing, Web Services, Performance Testing, Test-Driven Development (TDD), Apigee, Git, Integration Tests, Enterprise Integration, Data Management, Api Gateway, Restful APIs, Cucumber (Software), Api Management, Jbehave, SDET, Jenkins, Programming Languages, Microservices - **Published:** July 17, 2026 - **Apply:** https://www.dice.com/job-detail/36cd97fe-9f5f-4c21-a398-2abd3efa96b8 ## About the Role * Bachelor's Degree required, * 10+ years of Software Quality Engineering / Test Automation experience * 5+ years leading Quality Engineering teams * Experience leading teams of at least five Quality Engineers * Extensive experience designing enterprise automation frameworks Required Technical Skills Programming Languages * Java (5+ years) * JavaScript Test Automation * Test Automation Framework Design (8+ years) * Selenium or enterprise automation frameworks * API Automation * Automated Regression Testing * Functional Automation Testing BDD Frameworks * Cucumber (3-5 years) * JBehave * Other BDD frameworks API Testing * REST API Testing * Web Services Testing Performance Testing * JMeter Databases * SQL * Relational Databases DevOps & CI/CD * Jenkins * Git * CI/CD Pipelines Testing Experience * Integration Testing * End-to-End System Testing * Full Stack Testing * Third-Party Integration Testing * Test Strategy * Test Planning * Test Case Development * Test Data Management Preferred Skills * Python * AWS Cloud Development * Microservices Architecture * Apigee or API Gateway technologies * Performance & Load Testing * Test-Driven Development (TDD) * Continuous Integration * Code Reviews * Agile / Lean methodologies * Strong technical documentation skills Top Skills * Lead SDET / Test Automation Leadership * Java, Cucumber & API Test Automation * Automation Framework Design & CI/CD Soft Skills * Strong leadership and mentoring abilities * Excellent communication and collaboration skills * Ability to work in complex enterprise environments * Strong analytical and problem-solving skills * Proactive and adaptable mindset * Ability to work effectively with business stakeholders and engineering teams ## Description The Lead Software Engineer (Lead SDET) will support Caterpillar's VL Autonomy Program by leading Quality Engineering initiatives, expanding the existing test automation framework, and collaborating with multiple engineering teams. This role involves designing automation strategies, mentoring Quality Engineers, participating in architecture discussions, and ensuring high-quality software delivery through automated testing and continuous integration practices., * Lead Quality Engineering efforts across multiple applications and projects. * Own test strategy, test planning, and automation execution. * Design, develop, and enhance enterprise test automation frameworks. * Develop automated test scripts using Java and existing automation frameworks. * Build and maintain API automation frameworks. * Develop automation supporting Continuous Integration and Continuous Delivery (CI/CD). * Perform end-to-end integration, functional, and system testing. * Conduct exploratory and manual testing where required. * Collaborate with Product Owners, developers, architects, and cross-functional teams. * Mentor and lead onshore and offshore Quality Engineering teams. * Review automation code and promote testing best practices. * Support software releases through automation and regression testing. Team Environment * VL Autonomy Program * Fleet Management Organization * Team Size: 20+ Engineers * Lead and mentor 10+ Quality Engineers * Participate in architecture discussions and AVT calls * Collaborate across multiple engineering teams ## Related Videos - [How a Small Team Shrank a Microsoft Monorepo by 94%](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1236-how-a-small-team-shrank-a-microsoft-monorepo-by-94) - [SMART Test Automation - the experience of legacy transformation](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100215-smart-test-automation-the-experience-of-legacy-transformation) - [Git for Code Reviews](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/429-git-for-code-reviews) - [Inside Mercedes-Benz: How CIO Katrin Lehmann is Empowering 5,000 Developers and Driving Digital Change](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1360-inside-mercedes-benz-how-cio-katrin-lehmann-is-empowering-5-000-developers-and-driving-digital-change) - [Agile work at CARIAD – Creating a customer web application for controlling the vehicle ](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/200-agile-work-at-cariad-creating-a-customer-web-application-for-controlling-the-vehicle) - [Stop Committing Your Secrets - GIt Hooks To The Rescue!](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/573-stop-committing-your-secrets-git-hooks-to-the-rescue) ## Related Articles - [The 8 Best Code Testing Tools](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/402-the-8-best-code-testing-tools) - [7 Important Tips That Every Software Developer Should Know](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/101-7-important-tips-that-every-software-developer-should-know) - [Is Software Engineering Over-Saturated?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/418-is-software-engineering-over-saturated) - [Highest Paying Tech Companies for Developers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/220-highest-paying-tech-companies-for-developers) - [The 12 Best Jobs for Software Engineers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/401-the-12-best-jobs-for-software-engineers) - [What is Software Engineering?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/289-what-is-software-engineering)