Design and Development Engineering; Placement Scheme

Career Area:

Students and Graduates

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.

Discipline: Design and Development Engineer

Location: Peterlee, County Durham

Salary: £26,000, Share Scheme, Pension 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.

* Please note that in order 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 is the world’s leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines and diesel-electric locomotives. Operating from 50 countries around the globe and employing over 100,000 employees, the Caterpillar brand has developed into a symbol of strength, respect, and integrity. The organisation has a clear vision to be the global leader in providing customer value in the markets in which it operates.

Our core values (Safety, Integrity, Excellence, Teamwork and Commitment) are key to our success.

The Peterlee site is the only Caterpillar facility to design and manufacture Articulated Trucks, which are then exported globally. Our product design centre includes state of the art facilities with an immersive environment, machine proving ground, learning centre and complete factory which is the sole producer of Caterpillar Articulated Trucks.

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.

During your placement year you may be placed in one of the following engineering areas, working on live projects and continuous improvement activities:

• Machine Integration & Performance
• System Design & Integration
• Machine Testing and Development
• Product Support & Lifecycle
• Aftermarket, including Field Service & Maintenance
• Warranty

Working with experienced team members you will receive all the coaching, guidance and support for your work and personal development. It is our intention that you will be given opportunities to develop your knowledge and experience within a real-world setting. Our aim is that these industrial placement opportunities provide the firm foundations necessary for a long and successful future career.

The scheme will mentor you in the fundamental steps of deterministic design, the basics of machine performance, problem solving, development and validation, whilst learning the details of each subsystem.

As an equal opportunity employer, we value diversity at Caterpillar, and we believe the more experience you can gain early in your career the further you can go.

We operate a conditional offer process; our highest performing placement students…