Design Engineer (Drivetrain & Transmissions)

Caterpillar Financial Services Corporation

Desford

On-site

GBP 50,000 - 61,000

Full time

8 days ago
Application generator

Don’t send a generic resume — generate a resume and cover letter tailored to this exact role.

Get past ATS filters

Benefits offered by this job

27 days annual leave
Bank holidays
Opportunity to buy additional holiday
10% Bonus
Pension scheme (employer contribution)
Share scheme
Employee Support Networks
Sense of community
Flexible benefits including private or

Job summary

Caterpillar Inc. is seeking a Design Engineer to shape drivetrain and transmission systems powering our wheel loaders, telehandlers and backhoe loaders.

You’ll turn customer and functional requirements into robust solutions from concept through to production release. The role blends mechanical design, computer-aided engineering and technical problem solving to influence product quality, durability and performance while delivering reliable solutions for customers worldwide.

Qualifications

  • Education: A degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline.
  • Demonstrates engineering principles, analysis and data to deliver production-ready solutions.

Responsibilities

  • Translate customer and functional requirements into robust drivetrain component and transmission system designs.
  • Create, analyze and release 3D models, components and assemblies using CAD tools and generate engineering documentation.
  • Investigate complex technical issues, identify root causes and develop optimized solutions balancing performance, quality, durability and cost.
  • Evaluate design risks from prototype builds, verification, testing and validation and refine solutions accordingly.
  • Collaborate with manufacturing, suppliers, purchasing and global engineering teams to deliver new products and improvements.
  • Plan and prioritize concurrent engineering activities and clearly communicate progress, findings, risks and recommendations.

Skills

CAD design
Analytical thinking
Product design & development
Managing multiple priorities
Drivetrain knowledge

Education

Mechanical Engineering degree

Tools

CAD software

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

Design Engineer (Drivetrain & Transmissions)

Salary

£49,500 rising to £61,000 depending on skills demonstrated

Contract

Full time & permanent

Location

Desford, Leicestershire - Domestic relocation support may be considered for exceptional candidates

The Opportunity

Help shape the drivetrain and transmission systems powering Caterpillar’s wheel loaders, telehandlers and backhoe loaders. As a Design Engineer, you’ll turn customer and functional requirements into robust solutions, from concept through to production release. Combining mechanical design, computer-aided engineering and technical problem-solving, you’ll influence product quality, durability and performance while delivering reliable solutions for customers worldwide.

What you will do:

As a Design Engineer, you are accountable for, but not limited to:

  • Translate customer and functional requirements into robust drivetrain component and transmission system designs.
  • Create, analyse and release three-dimensional models, components, assemblies and engineering documentation using computer-aided design tools.
  • Investigate complex technical issues, identify root causes and develop solutions that balance performance, quality, durability and cost.
  • Evaluate design risks and use findings from prototype builds, verification, testing and validation to refine engineering solutions.
  • Collaborate with manufacturing, suppliers, purchasing and global engineering teams to deliver new products and product improvements.
  • Plan and prioritise concurrent engineering activities, communicating progress, technical findings, risks and recommendations clearly.

NB. The panel cannot make assumptions when shortlisting therefore please demonstrate your qualifications and experience on your CV relevant to the criteria outlined.

What You Can Demonstrate:
  • Education: A degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline, or equivalent applied engineering knowledge. Applies engineering principles, analysis and technical data to deliver reliable, production-ready solutions.
Level: Extensive Experience
  • Computer-Aided Design & Engineering: Creates, analyses and communicates complex mechanical components, assemblies and three-dimensional designs using specialised engineering tools. Applies advanced design methods to produce accurate solutions suitable for manufacture, validation and release.
  • Analytical Thinking: Breaks complex technical challenges into manageable parts, identifies potential root causes and evaluates risks, benefits and alternative solutions. Selects appropriate analytical methods to reach balanced, evidence-based decisions.
Level: Working Knowledge
  • Product Design & Development: Translates customer and functional requirements into practical engineering solutions, supporting components and systems from concept through to validation and production release. Uses appropriate engineering tools to create or modify designs and contribute to prototype development.
  • Managing Multiple Priorities: Plans and co-ordinates concurrent engineering activities while responding effectively to changing demands. Maintains progress and quality across multiple assignments, escalating risks and priority conflicts where appropriate.
What You May Have:
  • Drivetrain Knowledge: Applies knowledge of transmissions, gears, shafts, bearings, housings, wet clutches or hydraulic integration to understand component and system interactions. Uses this knowledge to identify design risks and improve performance, durability and reliability.
  • Product Validation & Launch: Uses findings from prototype builds, testing and design verification to refine engineering solutions. Considers manufacturability, assembly, quality and production requirements to support successful product release.

Pending the number of applications, the criteria for the position may be enhanced to facilitate shortlisting.

What You Will Get

One Company, Limitless Opportunities

Caterpillar 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. We do business on every continent, principally operating through three primary segments – Construction Industries, Resource Industries, and Energy & Transportation – and providing financing and related services through our Financial Products segment.

Careers at Caterpillar are limitless, we have opportunities in Engineering, Human Resources, Manufacturing, Marketing, Sales, Supply Chain and so much more. You can create the career you want. It’s your time and talent, make it count.

Our Sustainability Commitment

Caterpillar has a long-standing commitment to sustainability, one of our five Values in Action. It is part of who we are and what we do. We actively lead sustainable green initiatives to preserve the environment, help reduce poverty with the Caterpillar Foundation and stay involved in the communities we help build.

Benefits
  • 27 days annual leave
  • bank holidays
  • opportunity to buy additional holiday
  • 10% 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
  • Employee Support Networks – join groups that offer support, connection
  • a sense of community
  • optional flexible benefits including access to private health and dental care plans, EV car lease etc
Travel
  • up to 10% travel to include international

This position requires working onsite five days a week.

Posting Dates

October 1, 2026 - October 16, 2026

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

Get your free, confidential resume review.

or drag and drop your file here.

Similar jobs

Similar jobs worth comparing

Design Engineer (Drivetrain & Transmissions)
Design Engineer (Drivetrain & Transmissions)

Caterpillar Brazil • Desford

Remote
GBP 50,000 - 61,000
27 days annual leave
Bonus
Pension scheme
+2
Senior Associate Engineer
Senior Associate Engineer

Caterpillar, Inc. • Peterborough

On-site
GBP 37,000 - 46,000
Senior Engineering Manager
Senior Engineering Manager

Caterpillar Inc. • Desford

On-site
GBP 99,000 - 124,000
Car Allowance
31% Bonus
Private Medical
+3
Senior Development Engineer
Senior Development Engineer

Caterpillar Brazil • Peterborough

On-site
GBP 49,000 - 66,000
25 days annual leave + 8 bank holidays
Up to 12% bonus
Contributory pension scheme with 2x员工
Senior Mechanical Systems and Validation Engineer
Senior Mechanical Systems and Validation Engineer

Caterpillar Inc. • Peterborough

On-site
GBP 49,000 - 66,000
25 days leave + 8 bank holidays
Up to 12% bonus
Pension scheme up to 10% (Caterpillar
+3
Senior Associate Engineer – Test & Validation
Senior Associate Engineer – Test & Validation

Caterpillar Financial Services Corporation • Peterborough

On-site
GBP 37,000 - 46,000
25 days leave
Bonus up to 10%
Pension matching 10%
+2
EAME Product Consultant (Skid Steer & Compact Track Loader)
EAME Product Consultant (Skid Steer & Compact Track Loader)

Caterpillar Financial Services Corporation • Desford

On-site
GBP 58,000 - 74,000
27 days annual leave
Bank holidays
Buy additional holiday
+6
Fuel Systems Senior Engineer
Fuel Systems Senior Engineer

Caterpillar Inc. • Peterborough

On-site
GBP 49,000 - 66,000
25 days annual leave
Bonus up to 12%
Pension up to 10%
+2
Senior Electrical Design Engineer
Senior Electrical Design Engineer

Caterpillar Financial Services Corporation • Larne

On-site
GBP 46,000 - 56,000
25 days annual leave + Bank Holidays
Up to 12% Bonus
Contributory pension scheme up to 6%
+3
Senior Performance/Simulation/Application Engineering Specialist
Senior Performance/Simulation/Application Engineering Specialist

Caterpillar Inc. • Desford

On-site
GBP 79,000 - 95,000
27 days annual leave
Annual bonus up to 20%
Private medical
+4