Senior Mechanical Systems and Validation Engineer

Caterpillar Brazil; Peterborough; On-site; CAD 103,000 - 112,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days annual leave + 8 Bank Holidays

Up to 12% bonus

Contributory pension scheme - CaterpIl

Share scheme - 50% match

Flexible benefits including health and

Job summary

Caterpillar Inc. in Peterborough, UK, is seeking a Senior Mechanical Systems and Validation Engineer to lead systems engineering and validation across products and projects.

You will translate customer needs into requirements, develop DFMEAs and validation plans, coordinate tests, and mentor engineers while partnering with cross-functional teams to deliver durable, safe, and high-performance machinery.

Qualifications

• Analytical thinking with root-cause analysis and structured problem-solving.
• Attention to detail to ensure accuracy across data and documents.
• Strong problem-solving skills for complex engineering issues.
• Solid technical excellence across systems engineering and validation concepts.
• Clear, effective communication with engineers and stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead systems engineering and validation delivery from requirements to validated conclusions.
• Translate customer needs into system requirements and technical objectives.
• Develop DFMEAs and proportionate design verification plans linked to requirements.
• Plan targeted validation activities and coordinate test equipment, data, and schedules.
• Provide technical leadership and coaching across the organization.

Skills

Analytical Thinking

Accuracy and Attention to Detail

Problem Solving

Technical Excellence

Effective Communications

Job description

Career Area: Engineering 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.

Job Title: Senior Mechanical Systems and Validation Engineer

Salary: £57,737 + Dependent Upon Experience

Location: Peterborough, UK

Benefits

• 25 days annual leave + 8 Bank Holidays
• Up to 12% bonus
• Contributory pension scheme - Caterpillar will double the employee's contribution
• Up to 10% Contributory share scheme - Caterpillar will match 50% of the employee's contribution.
• Optional flexible benefits including access to health and dental care plans, EV car lease, holiday purchase.
• Employee Referral Scheme

The Opportunity & What You Will Do:

As a Senior Mechanical Systems and Validation Engineer, you will: Lead systems engineering and validation delivery for assigned products, programmes and technical projects, taking ownership from initial requirements and risk identification through to validated conclusions. Translate product and customer needs into system requirements, technical objectives and engineering decisions, leading system-level trade-offs Shape risk identification and validation strategy, leading system DFMEAs and developing proportionate, risk-based Design Verification Plans linked to requirements, technical objectives and identified failure modes. Plan and coordinate targeted validation activities, defining test, build, instrumentation, data and inspection requirements while managing resources, facilities, schedules, dependencies and technical decision points. Analyse evidence and lead technical problem-solving, using test, field and inspection data to assess risk, resolve complex technical issues and clearly document conclusions, recommendations and learning. Provide technical leadership across the organisation, communicating risks and decisions to senior stakeholders, building strong cross-functional relationships, coaching engineers and improving validation methods, standard work and process efficiency.

What You Will Have:

• A strong background in systems engineering, product development, validation engineering or a related technical discipline.
• Experience leading complex engineering or validation activities end to end, from requirements and risk identification through planning, delivery, technical conclusions and recommendations.
• Strong knowledge of validation strategy and product testing, including developing risk-based validation plans from requirements, technical objectives and DFMEAs.
• The ability to analyse and solve complex engineering problems, interrogating complex data, challenging assumptions, investigating root causes and making sound, evidence-based engineering decisions.
• Proven project leadership and ownership, including managing risks, resources, schedules, dependencies and stakeholders to maintain momentum and deliver outcomes across a matrix organisation.
• Effective communication and technical leadership skills, with the ability to influence different audiences, work effectively with engineering teams, customers and senior stakeholders, and coach or guide other engineers.

Desirable Experience

• Industrial diesel engines, powertrains or similar complex mechanical systems.
• Engine dynamometer, machine, field or component-level validation.
• Reliability and durability development.
• Construction machinery, power generation or other off-highway applications.
• Proactive reliability methods and demonstration of product quality.
• Working with global engineering teams, external partners or customers.

Skills Required Extensive evidence of the following skills:

• Analytical Thinking: Knowledge of techniques and tools that promote effective analysis; ability to determine the root cause of organizational problems and create alternative solutions that resolve these problems. Approaches a complex problem by breaking it down into its component parts. Seeks discrepancies and inconsistencies in available information; explains variances. Organizes and prioritizes the sequence of steps to be taken to remedy the situation.
• Accuracy and Attention to Detail: Understanding the necessity and value of accuracy; ability to complete tasks with high levels of precision. Processes large quantities of detailed information with high levels of accuracy. Productively balances speed and accuracy. Demonstrates expertise in quality assurance tools, techniques, and standards.
• Problem Solving: Knowledge of approaches, tools, techniques for recognising, anticipating, and resolving organisational, operational or process problems; ability to apply knowledge of problem solving appropriately to diverse situations. Ensures capture of lessons to be learned from a problem-solving effort. Organises potential problem solvers and leads problem resolution efforts. Uses varying problem-solving approaches and techniques as appropriate. Develops successful resolutions to critical or wide-impact problems.
• Technical Excellence: Knowledge of a given technology and various application methods; ability to develop and provide solutions to significant technical challenges. Provides effective technical solutions to routine functional challenges via sound technical competence, effectively examining implications of events and issues. Effectively performs the technical job aspects, continuously building knowledge and keeping up-to-date on technical and procedural job components. Applies current procedures and technologies to help resolve technical issues in one's general area of technical competence. Helps others solve technical or procedural problems or issues.
• Effective Communications: Understanding of effective communication concepts, tools and techniques; ability to effectively transmit, receive, and accurately interpret ideas, information, and needs through the application of appropriate communication behaviours. Makes oral presentations and writes reports needed for own work. Looks for and considers non-verbal cues from individuals and groups.

What You Will Get From day one, you’re set up to thrive at Caterpillar:

Helpful training, relatable mentors, global experience, competitive salary package, and the growth opportunities you expect with a Fortune 100 company. You power our success, and we are committed to empowering yours. After all, when your work can impact the entire world, it’s important to do work that matters.

About Caterpillar

Caterpillar Inc. is the world’s leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, off-highway diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines and diesel-electric locomotives. For 100 years, we’ve been helping customers build a better, more sustainable world and are committed and contributing to a reduced-carbon future. Our innovative products and services, backed by our global dealer network, provide exceptional value that helps customers succeed.

NB. 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.

Posting Dates

September 16, 2026 - September 30, 2026

Caterpillar is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants of any age are encouraged to apply

Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position.

More About Working at Caterpillar

There’s more to work at Caterpillar than just the work itself.

We hire smart, friendly people and it shows in our culture. We hold ourselves to high standards and make sure our values of integrity, excellence, teamwork, commitment and sustainability come to life in the way we work. We make sure our employees feel continuously challenged while also supported. We provide professional growth opportunities, including leadership programs. We celebrate the diversity of our team, while also working together as one Caterpillar. Our culture, like everything at our company, is made possible by each employee’s contribution. Person by person, we create the environment we work in, and we are proud of the Caterpillar we’ve built.