Manufacturing Engineering (12 Month Placement Scheme)

Caterpillar; Botcheston; On-site; GBP 23,000 - 29,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Share Scheme

Pension

Flexible working

27 days annual leave

Job summary

Caterpillar is offering a 12-month Industrial Placement commencing July 2027 at its Desford facility in the UK. You will work on manufacturing improvement projects, evaluate design for assembly, and develop processes for new equipment under the Caterpillar Production System.

Eligible applicants are penultimate-year students in engineering with 2:1 honours. You will gain hands-on experience with CAD-designed machinery, PFMEA/Control Plans, and sustainability initiatives while contributing to

Qualifications

• Penultimate-year student with minimum 2:1 honours
• Industrial placement commencing July 2027
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capability

Responsibilities

• Support manufacturing improvement projects using 6 Sigma methodologies
• Work with Manufacturing Engineering technologies to introduce new products
• Utilise CAD to design equipment and lay out facilities
• Implement new equipment and tooling from design to sign-off
• Create PFMEA, Control Plans, SFMEA to drive safety improvements
• Engage with Additive Manufacturing, Robotics, AI and digital twin initiatives
• Conduct root cause analysis for quality improvements
• Support sustainability projects within manufacturing processes

Skills

Data analysis

Statistics

Data visualisation

Computing technology

Software development

Education

Mechanical Engineering

Manufacturing Engineering

Mechatronics/Robotics

Automation and Control Engineering

Systems Engineering

Automotive Engineering

Job description

Responsibilities

• Support manufacturing improvement projects on our Electric and Combustion powered vehicles, driving Safety, Quality, Velocity & Cost using 6 Sigma Methodologies.
• Work with the latest Manufacturing Engineering Technologies to introduce our New Products, evaluating design for assembly & automation feasibility, generating manufacturing processes and documentation, allowing our latest machines to be produced to our world class manufacturing standards.
• Utilise CAD software to design new equipment, complete virtual builds and develop facility layouts in line with Caterpillars Production System.
• Implement new equipment/tooling to production, inc. Design, budgeting, evaluation, procurement, implementation, training and sign off.
• Create and review associated process risk documentation; PFMEA, Control Plans and SFMEA's to drive safety improvements in new and current processes.
• Work with Additive Manufacturing, Robotics & Automation (assembly and inspection), AI, Digital Twins, Measurement Analysis & Machine Validation Equipment.
• Complete root cause analysis for quality improvement opportunities and implement robust process containment measures.
• Support and implement sustainability projects within the manufacturing process, ensuring alignment with Caterpillar's commitment to environmental responsibility
• Adhere to the company's Health and Safety policy and safe working practices.
• Adhere to Caterpillar's Values in Action: Integrity, Commitment, Excellence, Teamwork, & Sustainability.

Education Requirements

Applicants will be on target to achieve a minimum of 2:1 honour degree level in one of the following disciplines:

• Mechanical Engineering
• Manufacturing Engineering
• Mechatronics/Robotics
• Automation and Control Engineering
• Systems Engineering
• Automotive Engineering

Desirable Skills

• Data analysis and reporting
• Statistics and data science
• Data visualisation
• Computing technology
• Software development

Additional Information

In order 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.

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

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's Desford facility 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 of products. Desford is more than just a production facility - it is home to a range of functions with global scope, including HR, Finance, Engineering, Purchasing, Manufacturing and Marketing.

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.

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.

Salary: £26,000, Share Scheme, Pension, Flexible working, and 27 days annual leave (plus bank holidays)