Lead Data Scientist

Job Summary:

eCommerce is a key digital enabler to Caterpillar’s aftermarket parts and services growth strategy. Delivering on the Caterpillar brand promise of premium, high-quality solutions is an important element in accelerating the development and deployment of Caterpillar’s expanded capabilities in eCommerce.

The Lead data scientist – Search is responsible for building the core search AI/ML/LLM models and overseeing the execution of advanced search algorithms. This role combines strategic vision, hands-on AI/ML expertise, and leadership to build scalable, high-performance search algorithms that deliver exceptional user experiences. If you want to enhance customer search experiences and lead scalable platforms, this role lets you make a significant impact.

What You Will Do:

Technical Strategy: Define and implement a long-term technical vision for the search platform to ensure scalability and adaptability to growing data volumes and query complexity.

Team Leadership: Mentor and guide a team of search engineers through technical reviews, best practices, and collaborative problem-solving.

Feature Development: Introduce advanced capabilities such as NLP, vector search, and personalization to enhance relevance and accuracy.

Data Analysis & Optimization: Build search capabilities with measurable KPIs (e.g., CTR, Query Distribution, Zero Search) and leverage analytics to continuously improve search performance.

Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with product managers, data scientists, and engineering teams to align search initiatives with business objectives

Algorithm Development & Modeling

Optimization: Profile and tune deep learning algorithms for maximum search efficiency for keyword matching, user data and behavior, preferences, popularity, and more.

Behavioral Models: Profile the end-users’ behaviors and signals and fine-tune models to reflect to rearrange the search facet values

Context Models: Leverage AI/MI/LLM models to Discern User Intent and capture in relevant search categories

Categorization Models to build fitment recommendation with engineering information

Personalization models: Rule based segmentation, ML based recommendation models, PFM – SSL models and Implicit Personalization models to enhance the search

What You Will Have:

Search AI/ML Models : Strong track record to deploy Search related ML models in large industrial /automobile / Manufacturing parts application (Learning-Rank, Lambda MART, Deep Ranking Models )

Generative AI & LLMs: Proficiency in Fine-tuning and Prompt Engineering for Large Language Models, specifically using Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), Indexing models BM25, Sematic Retrieval, Query rewrite etc

ML Platform Experience: Proven ability to work with large-scale search logs, Product data and build robust future/label pipelines and deploy models thru MLOps/ML platforms and API’s in Cloud environment (AWS/Azure/GCP)

Business Statistics: Extensive experience with statistical tools, processes, and practices to describe business results in measurable scales; ability to use statistical tools and processes to assist in making business decisions.

Analytical Thinking: Extensive knowledge of techniques and tools that promote effective analysis; ability to determine the root cause of organizational problems and create alternative solutions that resolve these problems.

Programming Languages: Extensive knowledge of basic concepts and capabilities of applying Python programming to solve business challenges; ability to use tools, techniques and platforms to write and modify programming languages.

Requirements Analysis: Working knowledge of tools, methods, and techniques of requirement analysis; ability to elicit, analyze and record required business functionality and non-functionality requirements to ensure the success of a system or software development project.

Considerations for Top Candidates:

Typically, a Bachelors, Masters, or PhD degree in Applied Statistics, Data Science, Business Analytics, Predictive Analytics, Business Intelligence & Analytics, Mathematics, Computer Science, Engineering (Aerospace, Electrical, Mechanical, Computer, Industrial, Agricultural, etc.), or equivalent technical degree

Extensive experience applying Python (NumPy, SciPy, pandas, etc.) programming to solve business challenges.

Extensive experience with advanced data analysis, machine learning such as clustering, Log regressions, neural nets and statistical methods such as statistical process control, etc. (typically 5+ years)

Experience in practical applications of onboard architecture / software (e.g. mini projects using Raspberry Pi or any other architecture is a bonus)

Working experience with heavy equipment engineering or data analysis.

Familiarity with A/B testing frameworks for evaluating and improving model-driven features - nice to have

Working knowledge with cloud technologies (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, etc.)

Advanced experience with version control / repositories such as GitHub

Experience operating in an Agile environment

Must demonstrate strong initiative, interpersonal skills, and the ability to communicate effectively.

This Job Description is intended as a general guide to the job duties for this position and is intended for the purpose of establishing the specific salary grade. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as an exhaustive summary of all responsibilities, duties and effort required of employees assigned to this job. At the discretion of management, this description may be changed at any time to address the evolving needs of the organization. It is expressly not intended to be a comprehensive list of “essential job functions” as that term is defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Additional Information: ​

Caterpillar is not currently hiring individuals for this position who now or in the future require sponsorship for employment visa status; however, as a global company, Caterpillar offers many job opportunities outside of India which can be found through our employment website at www.caterpillar.com/careers.

What You Will Get:

Our goal at Caterpillar is for you to have a rewarding career. Our teams are critical to the success of our customers who build a better world. Here you earn more than just wage, because we value your performance, we offer a total rewards package that provides day one benefits along with the potential of a variable bonus. Additional benefits include paid annual leave, flexi leave, medical and insurance (prorated based upon hire date).

Final Details:

Please frequently check the email associated with your application, including the junk/spam folder, as this is the primary correspondence method. If you wish to know the status of your application – please use the candidate log-in on our career website as it will reflect any updates to your status.

If you are interested in joining our team, please apply using an English version of your CV. We look forward to meeting you!

About Caterpillar

Caterpillar Inc. is the world’s leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, off-highway diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines and diesel-electric locomotives. For nearly 100 years, we’ve been helping customers build a better, more sustainable world and are committed and contributing to a reduced-carbon future. Our innovative products and services, backed by our global dealer network, provide exceptional value that helps customers succeed.

Posting Dates:

October 6, 2026 - October 19, 2026

Caterpillar is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants of any age are encouraged to apply

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