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.
12 Month Industrial Placement Scheme
We currently have some exciting opportunities for industrial placement students to join Caterpillar across several of our sites. You will have the opportunity to work with others across our organisation and you will be directly involved, and at the heart of our business, participating on strategic projects.
*Please note that in order to be eligible to complete a 12 Month Industrial Placement commencing July 2025, you must be in your penultimate year of study unless enrolled in an integrated master’s program.
What do we do?
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.
At our Peterborough Campus we have a 500-person engineering team who design, develop, test and manufacture powertrain solutions for Caterpillar and third-party customers. 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 well supported employee resource groups. Caterpillar is an equal opportunity employer, and we welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds.
What experiences can we offer you?
As an equal opportunity employer, we value diversity at Caterpillar and believe the more experience you can gain early in your career the further you can go. That’s why during our yearlong scheme we place an emphasis on multiple diverse projects.
You will have the opportunity to work and collaborate with people in Caterpillar facilities worldwide and we are looking for you to bring fresh, innovative ideas to solve complex technical problems. You will be a fully involved team member with responsibility and accountability for key project deliverables. That said, you will be given all the support you require to be successful.
Our placement roles have the additional benefit of a workplace mentor; this could be your manager or a technical expert who will support you throughout your time at Caterpillar and help you gain the professional development and skills you need to be set up for success! Our placement students can expect to return to university with further developed technical skills and experience of how University learning is applied to the workplace.
Job duties and responsibilities
Our industrial placement training scheme consists of two six-month different engineering rotations. You will be a valued and active team member within busy development programs that influence Caterpillar’s Global products which in turn improve the lives of people around the world. Typically, individuals experience two of the following engineering team placements:
- Simulation – systems, thermo-fluids and structural analysis
- Designing, validation and testing components / engines / machines
- Measurement and analysis of component / engine for noise, vibration, and structural integrity
- Engine performance development – power and emissions development / analysis
- Controls – machine integration, calibration, and algorithm development
- Data analytics including commercial, machine learning and manufacturing
- Power Systems Test Facility – Emissions/Measurement/Systems Analysis and improvements to support future development, process improvement and automation
- Integrated powertrain and hybrid systems
This scheme aims to compliment your academic learning by experiencing how engineering principles are applied in varied real-world engine development applications.
We offer you the opportunity to further grow your communication and teamwork skills, along with improving knowledge through daily collaboration with a variety of team members to deliver your team’s goals. Typical team members would include: - Graduates, Technicians, Engineers, globally recognised Technical Specialists and people in Caterpillar facilities worldwide.
This scheme should help you to make informed future career decisions, through exposure to different roles and the subsequent multitude of collaboration teams and business partners. This experience will develop understanding of your own strengths and how those can positively contribute to a variety of roles, teams, and work styles. This knowledge should influence future decisions to help you flourish within a career in engineering beyond graduation.
We also operate a conditional offer process; our highest performing placement students are fast tracked to our graduate development scheme. This includes a financial incentive and the potential of a summer work placement. Offers will be made based on the condition that a graduate role is available at the time of your graduation and that you achieve a min of 2:2.
In addition, 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 hold a Meet and Greet day for all new placement students to provide you with an opportunity to meet fellow new starters before you start your placement.
Who are we looking for?
As the type of roles within our business are becoming more diverse, we are looking for people who are open minded, excellent problem solvers and who have an ability to learn quickly.
You will be motivated, hard-working, and will embrace change. In return for your dedication and hard work, you will be provided with excellent career opportunities and strong support for your personal and career development to pursue a career within Caterpillar.
Applicants will be on target to achieve a minimum of 2:2 honours degree level in a relevant discipline:
- Engineering (Automotive, Aeronautical, Aerospace, Mechanical & Chemical)
- Maths
- Science
Recruitment Process Guidelines
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 complete a user-friendly video interview which will then be reviewed by the Hiring Team. At this stage, if you are successful, you will be invited to attend an Assessment Centre which we anticipate will be held on the dates below onsite at our Peterborough facility so please try to keep that date free. We would also recommend that you check your spam emails and your Workday account for updates.
- 31st January
- 5th February
- 6th February
- 7th February
- 11th February
- 12th February
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. Placement students will start on 7th July 2025. We look forward to receiving your application to join Caterpillar!
Come join us!
How do I apply?
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.
Caterpillar is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EEO).