Design and Development Engineering (Graduate Scheme)

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

Job summary

A leading engineering firm in Peterlee is looking for graduates in Design and Development Engineering. The role offers a £35,000 salary, includes a £1,500 sign-on bonus and a 10% annual bonus. Graduates will receive training and mentoring, participate in strategic projects, and work at the heart of innovative engineering solutions. This is an exciting opportunity for ambitious graduates to develop their skills in a global company.

Benefits

£1,500 sign-on bonus

10% annual bonus

Share Scheme

Pension

25 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Qualifications

• Demonstration of practical engineering theory application.
• Enthusiasm for engineering and sound decision making.
• Strong planning and organizing skills.

Responsibilities

• Machine integration and performance.
• System design and integration.
• Machine test and development.

Skills

Technical knowledge

Problem solving

Planning and organizing

Education

Minimum 2:2 honours degree in Agricultural, Electronics/Electrical, Computer Engineering or Mechanical

Job description

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.

We 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.

Graduate Scheme

Discipline: Design and Development Engineering

Location: Peterlee, UK

Salary: £35,000, £1500 Sign on Bonus, 10% Annual Bonus, Share Scheme, Pension and 25 days annual leave (plus bank holiday).

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.

The Peterlee site, engineers and manufactures 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.

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 may include, but are not limited to:

• Machine integration & performance
• System Design & integration
• Machine test and development
• A cross functional team aimed at exposing you to manufacturing or customer support

Our graduate scheme is designed to 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.

In addition to the graduate scheme, we run an IMechE accredited Monitored Professional Development Scheme and will provide you with a mentor who will support you in gaining Chartered or Incorporated Status. At the end of the graduate scheme, we find the best fit for you in one of our engineering teams with respect to business needs and where you will develop most as an engineer.

What happens after the graduate scheme?

Upon successful completion of the rotational programme, 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 be successful at Caterpillar.

Who are we looking for?

We are recruiting engineers and potentially scientists that will integrate Caterpillar Articulated Trucks with key technologies and data analytics. We are looking for people who can demonstrate technical knowledge and the practical application of engineering theory, along with sound decision making, professionalism, and an enthusiasm for engineering. You will also have strong planning and organising skills and a desire to succeed and develop.

• Applicants will be on target to achieve a minimum of 2:2 honours degree level in the following disciplines: Agricultural, Electronics/Electrical, Computer Engineering and Mechanical.

Recruitment Process Guidelines

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 Wednesday 11th February onsite at our Peterlee 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.

Posting Dates: November 26, 2025 - December 25, 2025

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

Not ready to apply? Join our Talent Community.