Design and Development Engineering (Graduate Scheme)

Caterpillar; Leicester; On-site; GBP 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A global manufacturer of construction and mining equipment seeks ambitious graduates for its Graduate Development Programme in Desford, Leicester. This two-year scheme offers hands-on experience through rotations across various engineering disciplines. Applicants should aim for a minimum 2:2 honours degree in relevant fields. The role includes significant mentorship and training support aimed at progressing candidates into key operational roles within the company. Competitive salary and benefits available, including a signing bonus.

Benefits

£1,500 sign-on bonus

10% annual bonus

Pension scheme

27 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Qualifications

• Open-minded and motivated to embrace change.
• Excellent problem solvers who can learn quickly.
• Capable of collaborative work in a diverse environment.

Responsibilities

• Engage in challenging work solving real-world engineering problems.
• Participate in a two-year Graduate Development Programme with four rotations.
• Gain experience in design, simulation, testing, performance, and analytics.

Skills

Problem solving

Teamwork

Communication

Analytical skills

Education

2:2 honours degree in relevant discipline (Agricultural, Automotive, Design, or Mechanical Engineering)

Job description

Overview

Career Area: Students and Graduates

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.

Discipline: Design and Development Engineering

Location: Desford, Leicester

Salary: £35,000, £1500 Sign on Bonus, 10% Annual Bonus, Share Scheme, Pension and 27 days annual leave (plus bank holidays)

We currently have lots of exciting opportunities for Graduates to join Caterpillar across the UK!

New graduates are critical to the success of our business. 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.

We are looking for talented, ambitious people from various backgrounds who are interested in setting out on the road to success and in return, we will provide you the training, mentoring, and support you need to have a successful career at Caterpillar.

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.

Caterpillar Desford (near Leicester) is part of the Building Construction Products (BCP) division, manufacturing a range of world class Backhoe Loaders and Compact Wheel Loaders, as part of the wider BCP range. Products that are reliable, cost effective, versatile, and adaptable. Leicester is more than just a production facility - it is a full product design and development centre with global responsibility for our products.

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?

From day one, you’re set up to thrive at Caterpillar: helpful training, relatable mentors, global experience, competitive salary package, work-life balance, and the growth opportunities you expect with global business.

Your two-year Graduate Development Programme will be tailored to ensure you gain a broad understanding of your chosen field and build the foundations of a successful career. You will get the support, guidance and training you need to be successful at Caterpillar. You will also have opportunity to gain experience working with our global Caterpillar customers.

You will have the opportunity to work with other facilities across our global organisation and you will be directly involved, and at the heart of our business, participating on strategic projects.

Job duties and responsibilities

Job duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to:

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. Your first 2 years will consist of 4 rotations on our IMechE MPDS accredited scheme - the first will be with your home engineering department then there will be 3 further rotations tailored to give you a broad understanding of our product development processes and build the foundations of a successful career. There can also be opportunities to rotate outside of engineering for a placement to gain a wider understanding of other areas of the business. You will get the support, guidance and training you need to be successful at Caterpillar.

• Design – Use your engineering knowledge to design, analyse and improve engine installations, powertrain or hydraulic components and systems, HVAC and ducting systems, operator ergonomics or machine structures. You could be optimising an engine cooling system, designing new fabrications or working on next generation battery electric machines.
• Simulation – Develop simulation models to predict the durability and performance of engines, powertrains, hydraulics, fabricated structures, components, and systems (FEA, CFD and others). You will use this to influence the design of next generation products and solve complex problems.
• Test and Validation - Design tests, test rigs, run test programs and analyse the data. Anything from running complete machines or 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 simulation models of entire power systems, develop control strategies and deploy them on machines. Define the strategy to maximise machine performance, while ensuring our products are durable, efficient, and meet emissions legislation.
• 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 for when things are going wrong. Use machine learning to solve complex problems and work with big-data systems.

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.

What happens after the graduate scheme?

Upon successful completion of the scheme, you will progress into a key role where you will directly contribute to the operational and project activity that is at the heart of our business. We will provide you with the training and support you need to have a successful career at Caterpillar, in a global organisation there are so many possibilities!

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: Agricultural, Automotive, Design or Mechanical Engineering.

We hold a Meet and Greet day for all new UK placement students to provide you with an opportunity to meet fellow new starters across the UK before you start your placement.

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 Tuesday 17th March onsite at our Desford 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.

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. Graduates will start on 7th September 2026. We look forward to receiving your application to join Caterpillar!

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, we reserve the right to close this posting before the end date and the criteria may be enhanced to facilitate shortlisting.

Please note that this position requires working onsite five days a week.

Posting Dates: January 12, 2026 - February 12, 2026

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

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