Secure Technology Apprentice (Cybersecurity Apprenticeship)

Caterpillar Financial Services Corporation; East Peoria (IL); On-site; USD 39,000 - 59,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision benefits

Paid time off

401(k) savings plans

Tuition Reimbursement

Short Term Incentive Plan (STIP)

Job summary

Caterpillar Inc. invites students to join the Secure Technology Apprenticeship program, combining education with real cybersecurity work at a Fortune 100 company.

You will rotate in the IT division focusing on cybersecurity, contribute to portals and remediation efforts, optimize cloud infrastructure, and gain mentorship while completing coursework toward your degree.

Qualifications

• Current first-year student at ICC or NSCC in transferrable or non-transferrable programs.
• Minimum 3.0 GPA (no rounding).
• Experience in cybersecurity or tech via activities or projects.
• Participation in clubs/competitions like CyberPatriot or CCDC is a plus.
• Ability to provide one faculty reference from your institution.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to development of a cybersecurity customer portal.
• Collaborate with software developers on vulnerability remediation.
• Assist in optimizing cloud infrastructure.
• Develop automated guardrails to enforce cloud policies.
• Write configuration guidelines to help securely implement cloud technologies.
• Participate in cyber threat intelligence processes supporting risk decisions.
• Support project management processes ensuring commitments to business, dealers, and customers.

Skills

Cybersecurity basics

Programming basics

Team collaboration

Education

First-year college student

GPA 3.0 (no rounding)

Tools

Cloud platforms

Security tooling

Job description

Career Area:

Technology, Digital and Data

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.

Description

Our Secure Technology Apprenticeship (Cybersecurity Apprentice) program allows students at Illinois Central College (ICC) and Nashville State Community College (NSCC) to enter the cybersecurity workforce at the same time they're completing their education, building hands-on experience at a Fortune 100 company along the way. Secure Technology Apprentices complete multiple rotational placements in our IT division focusing on cybersecurity.

The work our apprentices execute develops them as cybersecurity professionals and continues to benefit the enterprise even after their apprenticeship has concluded. A few examples of experiences past apprentices have had during their apprenticeship include:

• Contributing to the development of a cybersecurity customer portal


• Collaborating with software developers on vulnerability scan remediation


• Optimizing cloud infrastructure


• Developing automated \"guardrails\" to ensure compliance with cloud policies


• Writing configuration guidelines to help \"pave the road\" for customers to securely implement cloud technologies


• Participating in cyber threat intelligence processes which support risk-based decision making


• Supporting project management processes which ensure we meet commitments to our business, dealers, and customers.

You will be supported throughout your journey. By pairing you with experienced professionals as well as collaborating with other apprentices, you will receive continuous support and mentorship to build you up throughout your apprenticeship.

Key Benefits Include

• Full-time benefits including competitive hourly wage, paid time off, healthcare, 401k, and participation in our Short Term Incentive Plan (STIP - annual bonus program)


• Work hours which ensure ample time to complete your coursework


• College tuition, books, and fees paid directly to your college by the company


• Hands-on experience contributing to long-living initiatives as a cybersecurity professional at a global company


• Opportunity to develop virtual and in-person collaboration and communication skills

Minimum Requirements

• Current first year student at Illinois Central College or Nashville State Community College in either a transferrable or non-transferrable degree program


• Minimum of 3.0 GPA (no rounding) - first-semester students still eligible and encouraged to apply


• Experience in cybersecurity or technology, as demonstrated by one or more of the following:


• Extracurricular activities such as club membership, robotics team, SkillsUSA, CyberPatriot, National Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition (CCDC), etc.


• Personal projects (learning to code, contributing to open source, hardware building, etc)


• Volunteer work in technology/cybersecurity


• Other technology/cybersecurity-related activities above minimum school commitments


• Ability to provide one faculty reference from your current institution

Top candidates may also have one or more of the following:

• Prior work experience in technology or cybersecurity. Full-time, part-time, intern, or volunteer experience are all acceptable


• Foundational knowledge of a programming language such as Python, Java, .NET, or PowerShell

Summary Pay Range:

$28.70 - $43.10

Compensation and benefits offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, job level, market location, job-related knowledge, skills, individual performance and experience. Please note that salary is only one component of total compensation at Caterpillar.

Benefits:

Subject to plan eligibility, terms, and guidelines. This is a summary list of benefits.

• Medical, dental, and vision benefits*


• Paid time off plan (Vacation, Holidays, Volunteer, etc.)*


• 401(k) savings plans*


• Health Savings Account (HSA)*


• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)*


• Health Lifestyle Programs*


• Employee Assistance Program*


• Voluntary Benefits and Employee Discounts*


• Career Development*


• Incentive bonus*


• Disability benefits


• Life Insurance


• Parental leave


• Adoption benefits


• Tuition Reimbursement

* These benefits also apply to part-time employees

Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position.

Posting Dates:

September 29, 2026 - October 8, 2026

Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the successful completion of a drug screen.

Caterpillar is an Equal Opportunity Employer, Including Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities. Qualified applicants of any age are encouraged to apply.