Design Engineering 12 Month Placement Scheme

Caterpillar Inc.; Wimborne Minster; On-site; GBP 23,000 - 29,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Share Scheme

Pension

25 days annual leave

Job summary

Caterpillar Inc. in Wimborne, England, offers a 12-month Industrial Placement Scheme in Design Engineering – Caterpillar Marine. You will contribute to marine engine and genset design (10kW–750kW) and participate in strategic projects with hands-on mentorship.

Candidates should be on track to graduate with at least a 2:1 in Mechanical/Automotive Engineering, benefiting from a global leader committed to development and sustainability.

Qualifications

• Applicants will graduate with a minimum 2:1 honours degree in Mechanical/Automotive Engineering.

Responsibilities

• Design marine engine systems and components.
• Create system schematics and layout.
• Perform technical calculations.
• Review components and sub-systems with suppliers.
• Liaise with shop floor on assembly/production.
• Adhere to company policies and procedures.

Skills

Teamwork

Communication

Problem solving

Self-motivation

Presentation skills

Education

2:1 honours Mechanical/Automotive Engineering

Job description

Career Area:

Students and Graduates

Job Description:

Your Work Shapes the World at Caterpillar Inc.

When you join Caterpillar, you’rejoining 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’tjust 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.

12-Month Industrial Placement Scheme

Discipline: Design Engineering – Caterpillar Marine

Location: Wimborne

Salary : £26,000 Share Scheme, Pension and 25 days annual leave (plus bank holidays).

We currently have some exciting opportunities for industrial placement students to join Caterpillar across several of our sites. You will have the opportunity to work with others across our organisation and you will be directly involved, and at the heart of our business, participating on strategic projects.

Please note that 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.

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, Wimborne

The facility boasts a wealth of hugely experienced designers, engineers and technicians used to providing solutions for commercial, professional and military customers in the marine product range. From design, testing and production, each engine is proven before leaving the premises to ensure the best performance for the end‑user. The production products range up to 500 bhp for marine propulsion engines and 200 ekW for our gensets. In addition to the factory the Wimborne location is home for roles across sales, marketing, product support and engineering for the entire range of Caterpillar marine 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?

As an equal opportunity employer, we value diversity at Caterpillar and believe the more experience you can gain early in your career the further you can go. That’s why during our yearlong scheme we place an emphasis on multiple diverse projects. You will have the opportunity to work and collaborate with people in Caterpillar facilities worldwide and we are looking for you to bring fresh, innovative ideas to solve complex technical problems. You will be a fully involved team member with responsibility and accountability for key project deliverables. That said, you will be given all the support you require to be successful.

Our placement roles have the additional benefit of a workplace mentor; this could be your manager or a technical expert who will support you throughout your time at Caterpillar and help you gain the professional development and skills you need to be set up for success! Our placement students can expect to return to university with further developed technical skills and experience of how University learning is applied to the workplace.

We also operate a conditional offer process; our highest performing placement students are fast tracked to our graduate development scheme. This includes a financial incentive and the potential of a summer work placement. Offers will be made based on the condition that a graduate role is available at the time of your graduation and that you achieve a min of 2:1.

The role

With the team growing we are looking for a design engineering placement student at Caterpillar Marine, located in Wimborne, Dorset within the Caterpillar Oil, Gas & Marine division. The team has responsibility for all areas of marine engine & genset design for products from 10kW to over 750kW. This role will focus on design of mechanical systems for this wide range of marine products.

Design engineering design placements offer placement students real life product design experience in a customer focused environment.

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

• Design of marine engine systems and components.
• System schematics & layout.
• Technical calculations.
• Component / sub-systems supplier review.
• Liaison with shop floor personnel on the assembly / manufacture of product.
• Carry out all work in accordance with company policies and procedures.

Who are we looking for?

We’re looking for people who can show us a highly participative working style, and who thrive in a team of committed professionals. At the same time, we need people who are self‑motivated and can drive change through persuasion and influence. Communication and presentational skills are essential.

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 2:1 honours degree level in a relevant discipline:

• Mechanical / AutomotiveEngineering

Placement students will begin their placement on 5th July 2027.

We look forward to receiving your application and wish you the very best throughout the recruitment process.

Posting Dates:

September 18, 2026 - October 17, 2026

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