Senior AI Specialist

Job Purpose

This position can be filled in La Grange, IL, Southlake, TX or Albertville, AL Progress Rail Locomotive locations.

Design, development, and deployment of AI/ML solutions, extending optimization, machine learning, and generative AI capabilities to support external railroad customers and internal teams across locomotive services, supplier quality, locomotive production, and others.

Req ID

12278BR

Work Location Options

Alternate Locations: Albertville, AL; La Grange, IL

City

La Grange

State:

Illinois

Company Description

Progress Rail stands at the intersection of legacy and innovation—driving the future of rail with a pioneering spirit. Since its founding in 1983, the company has grown to become one of the world’s largest and most trusted providers of railroad products, services, and technologies. Today, Progress Rail delivers a comprehensive portfolio of cost-effective solutions to railway customers around the globe. From the rails themselves to the EMD® locomotives that ride them, the company’s products are in operation across more than 100 countries—powering progress and connecting communities. In 2006, Progress Rail joined Caterpillar Inc., further strengthening its ability to lead the rail industry with cutting-edge technology, unmatched expertise, and a commitment to excellence. At Progress Rail, the team is not just building the future of rail—they are making history every day.

Key Job Elements

• Design, build, and deploy production-grade agentic AI systems
• Mentor and coach other team members on best practices for designing, building, and deploying agentic AI systems
• Apply spec-driven development (SDD) practices within the software development lifecycle (SDLC) where applicable.
• Integrate optimization and agentic AI models with existing systems
• Apply Natural Language Processing (NLP), Large Language Models (LLMs), and agentic AI architectures to optimization and automation processes
• Apply Machine Learning and other advanced analytics techniques to develop forecasting models
• Process, clean, and validate the integrity of data used in algorithm analysis
• Support the resolution of field-reported issues through algorithm analysis and debugging;
• Develop and enhance optimization and simulation solutions for railway combinatorial problems

Education / Training

Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics, Physics, Data Science, Technology, Engineering, or related fields. Master's and/or PhD degree in these areas preferred.

Qualifications and Experience

• 5+ years of experience developing Machine Learning solutions, including at least 3 years of experience with LLMs and agentic AI systems
• Proven experience designing, building, and deploying agentic AI systems in production environments
• Experience in developing optimization and simulation models
• Experience applying Machine Learning algorithms for data analysis and forecasting
• Experience integrating optimization and agentic AI models into production systems
• Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics, Physics, Data Science, Technology, Engineering, or related fields. Master's and/or PhD degree in these areas preferred.
• Advanced English (reading and conversational skills). Minimum level: B2
• Experience with SQL
• Knowledge of applied statistics, including probability distributions, statistical testing, regression analysis, among others
• Experience with simulation techniques, especially discrete-event simulation;
• Programming skills and experience with development tools, particularly Python.
• Experience with spec-driven development (SDD) in the software development lifecycle (SDLC) preferred

Soft Skills:

• Proactivity: Identifies and solves problems before they escalate.
• Communication: Clearly conveys ideas and influences others.
• Flexibility: Adapts effectively to changing business needs.
• Analytical Thinking: Uses data to drive logical decisions.
• Leadership & Mentorship: Guides and develops other engineers.

Essential and Physical Activities Functions:

• Strength – Position typically involves work in a standard office environment. Occasional standing and walking. Heavy lifting (up to 35 lbs) is rare but may be required;
• Motion – Position regularly requires standard repetitive motions and hand/eye coordination associated with office communications. May require bending, lifting, standing, climbing, kneeling, crouching, walking, etc.;
• Vision/Hearing Requirements – Significant verbal communications, including both talking and hearing;
• Work Environment – Work in temperature-controlled environment;
• Emotional Demands – Required to liaise with multiple levels within and outside the organization, including senior leaders and managers. Individual must be well-spoken, able to manage multiple priorities and individual requests on a daily basis, with a professional and supportive attitude;
• Safety – Position required to follow all safety guidelines and requirements.

Benefits

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 Progress Rail.**

• Competitive Salary
• 401(k) plan with up to 6% company match (no waiting period with immediate vesting)
• Medical/Dental/Vision/Life/Disability Insurance
• Supplemental Accident, Critical Care, and Hospital Insurance available along with an HDHP and HSA with seed money
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Paid Vacation
• Paid Holidays
• Paid Time-Off (PTO)
• Employee Assistance Plan
• Education Assistance Program
• Employee Recognition Programs
• Site specific Production and Incentive Plans
• Site specific Step and Skill Level Wage Adjustment Plans
• Site Specific Relocation and Sign-on Bonus Programs

*Benefits eligibility varies by job position, full-time/part-time and regular/temporary status. The provisions of the plan documents control such benefits.

**Subject to position, eligibility, and plan guidelines.

Job Category

Engineering

PRS Facility Location

EMD HQ LaGrange, IL - 400

Senior AI Specialist | Progress Rail Services Corporation, a Caterpillar Company