Engineering Graduate (4 x 6 Month Rotations)

Career Area

Enterprise Cross Functional

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.

Engineering Graduate Scheme (4 x 6-month rotations)

Location: Peterborough

Salary: £34,800, £1,500 sign on bonus, 10% annual bonus, share scheme, flexible working, and 25 days annual leave (plus bank holidays).

At Caterpillar, you build what matters—whether it’s the career you want, crucial work skills, strong relationships or new technologies. – Our work is powered by our people.

Who is Caterpillar?

Caterpillar Inc. is the world’s leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines, and diesel-electric locomotives. Since 1925, we’ve been driving sustainable progress and helping customers build a better world through innovative products and services. Throughout the product life cycle, we offer services built on cutting-edge technology and decades of product expertise. These products and services, backed by our global dealer network, provide exceptional value to help our customers succeed.

We have a clear vision to be the global leader in providing customer value in the markets in which we operate. Our core values (Integrity, Excellence, Teamwork, Commitment and Sustainability) are key to our success.

What do we do?

At our Peterborough Campus we design, develop, test and manufacture powertrain solutions for Caterpillar and third-party customers. This is supported by our 500+ strong engineering team. Our world class test facilities and partnerships with leading universities allow us to develop new technologies and support our global manufacturing sites. We have an ever-growing focus on next generation powertrain solutions, helping our customers progress towards Carbon Net Zero. We harness the power of data science and advanced simulation techniques, alongside traditional engineering disciplines, to create sustainable digital services and solutions that will power our customers’ future.

Diversity at Caterpillar

When we leverage our people's experiences, backgrounds and cultures in an inclusive environment, we enable every individual to achieve their full potential, which drives business success. We are proud to be active partners with both the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) & Women's Engineering Society (WES). We also have numerous and varied employee resource groups who provide support and community to our employees. Caterpillar is an equal opportunity employer, and we welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds.

What experiences can we offer you?

This year we are pleased to be able to offer 20+ Graduate roles on the rotating Engineering Graduate Scheme. New graduates are critical to the success of our Research & Development engineering teams. From day one you will engage in challenging work, solving real-world engineering problems through collaboration with our global team. You will be supported by a graduate manager and assigned a home department, both of which will support throughout the 2 year scheme.

Your Four Six-month Placements Will Be Tailored To Ensure You Gain a Broad Understanding Of Our Engineering Processes And Build The Foundations Of a Successful Career. You Will Get The Support, Guidance And Training You Need To Be Successful At Caterpillar. Types Of Work You May Be Involved In Include

• Simulation – Develop advanced simulation models to predict the durability and performance of engines, powertrains, components, and systems (FEA, CFD and others). You will use this to influence the design of next generation products and solve complex problems.
• Test/Validation – Design and develop tests and testing rigs, manage dynamic test programs, analyse data and utilise continuous improvement tools for product development. Anything from running complete engine test cells, assessing noise and vibration, through to testing individual components. Validate that our products and control systems are robust to all our customers’ demanding use cases.
• Performance – Create models of complete power systems, define control strategies and deploy them on our power-train solutions. Developing calibrations to maximise performance, while ensuring our products are durable, efficient, and meet global emissions legislation.
• Design – Use your engineering knowledge to design, analyse and improve powertrain components and systems. You could be optimising a turbocharger, designing an exhaust aftertreatment system or even working on next generation battery electric machines.
• Data Analytics – Take the vast quantity of data we record every day and interrogate it for insights. Predict how our products will work in the real world and proactively monitor to make engine systems better. You could be utilising machine learning, test bed data, customer requirements or big-data systems to solve complex engineering problems.
• Suppliers/Customers – Be at the forefront of our relationships with global customers and suppliers. Translate customer requirements into project objectives or establish strong supplier connections to maintain product quality.
  
  

In addition to this, we offer you a mentor to support your professional development and help you achieve Chartered or Incorporated Engineer status with your chosen institution. Our professional development scheme is accredited and highly regarded by the IMechE and the IET.

We also hold a Meet and Greet day for all new Graduates to provide you with an opportunity to meet fellow new starters before you begin your role.

What happens after the graduate scheme?

Upon successful completion of the scheme, you will be promoted to Senior Associate Engineer and take up a position within your home department. This gives you the platform to continue your professional development journey and steer your career where you want it to go, be it a leadership role, technical expert, product leader or a commercial role. In a global organisation there are so many possibilities.

Who are we looking for?

This is an engineering scheme; however, we recognise the value that other STEM based qualifications bring to our team. We are looking for people who are open minded, excellent problem solvers and who have an ability to adapt and learn quickly. Prior power-train knowledge is not required.

Applicants should have achieved, or be on track to achieve, a minimum of a 2:2 and be studying for a degree in one of the following disciplines:

• Engineering (Automotive, Aeronautical, Aerospace, Mechanical & Chemical)
• Materials
• Maths
• Science
  
  

We are looking for talented, ambitious people from various backgrounds who are interested in setting out on the road to success.

Recruitment Process

Here is a brief overview of what you can expect when applying to our Early Career roles…

Online Application : The first stage of the process is to complete the online application and attach your CV, this must be done before the closing date of the role that you're applying for. Once we reach the close date, we will begin reviewing all our applications. This may take a little while and we will contact you as soon as possible to let you know if you have been successful in moving forward to the next stage.

Stage one – Video Interview : If selected, you will be invited to attend a pre-recorded user-friendly video interview which you have one week to complete and submit. You are able to record your answers several times to allow you plenty of practice if required. Please ensure that you check your spam emails for this invite. At this stage if you are successful, you will be invited to attend an Assessment Centre onsite on one of the dates below:

• 27th March
• 28th March
• 1st April
• 2nd April
• 3rd April
• 4th April
• 15th April
• 16th April
  
  

Stage two – Assessment Centre : The Assessment Centre day will look at a range of behaviours such as teamwork, decision-making, communication, and problem-solving. We aim to make these days fun, inclusive and as relaxed as possible.

Stage three – Offer : After the Assessment Centre, the Caterpillar team will review the feedback and extend offers to our preferred candidates, we aim to do this as quickly as possible. Graduate Students will start on 8th September 2025. We look forward to receiving your application to join Caterpillar!

How do I apply?

Go to catukgraduates.com for more information.

NOTE : Only one application is required, please do not apply for multiple roles. You may be given the opportunity of being considered for other roles/locations at a later stage..

The panel cannot make assumptions when shortlisting therefore please demonstrate your qualifications and experience on your CV relevant to the criteria outlined.

Pending the number of applications, the criteria for the position may be enhanced to facilitate shortlisting.

Click the apply button today and one of our friendly recruiters will be in touch.

Posting Dates

October 8, 2024 - December 1, 2024

Caterpillar is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EEO).

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