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 to be eligible to complete a 12-Month Industrial Placement commencing July 2027, you must be in your penultimate year of study unless enrolled in an integrated master’s program.
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 (Safety, 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.
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.
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:
This scheme aims to compliment your academic learning by experiencing how engineering principles are applied in varied real-world engine and powertrain 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. Typically, this 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 they can positively contribute to a variety of roles, teams, and work styles. The knowledge gained should influence future decisions to help you flourish within a career in engineering beyond graduation.
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 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.
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:
There are big jobs to be done worldwide—building critical infrastructure, bolstering local economies, meeting the demand for energy—and that work is powered by our people. Our talented team creates sustainable, world-changing solutions that impact lives around the globe. Come join us!
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.
We're excited that you're considering a career with Caterpillar. Below is an overview of our Early Careers recruitment process and what you can expect at each stage.
To apply, simply complete our online application form and upload your CV before the advertised closing date.
Our team will review all submissions & we'll keep you updated and let you know as soon as possible if you've been selected to progress to the next stage.
If you are selected to move forward in the process, you'll be invited to complete some online assessments, followed by a user-friendly video interview. Your responses will be reviewed by the hiring team and successful candidates will then be invited to attend an in-person Assessment Centre / Interview, which we anticipate will take place on 10th March 2027 at our Peterborough facility. If possible, we recommend keeping this date available.
To ensure you don't miss any communications from us, please regularly check your text, email inbox (including your spam/junk folder) and your Workday account for updates.
Our Assessment Centre is designed to help you showcase your potential through a range of interactive activities focused on competencies such as teamwork, communication, problem-solving, and decision-making.
We aim to make the experience engaging, inclusive, and relaxed, giving you the best opportunity to demonstrate your strengths and learn more about Caterpillar.
Following the Assessment Centre, the Caterpillar team will review all feedback and make hiring decisions. We aim to communicate outcomes and extend offers to successful candidates as quickly as possible. Placement students will start on 5th July 2027.
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