Job Description

Career Area: Students and Graduates
:
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.
Materials Engineering - 12 Month Industrial Placement Scheme
Discipline: Advanced Materials and Technology - Engineering
Location: Peterborough, UK
Salary: 26,000, Share Scheme, Pension and 25 days annual leave (plus bank holidays).
We currently have 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, at the heart of our business, participating on strategic projects.
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.
Advanced Materials & Technology (AMT) - Europe - Peterborough, UK:
At our Peterborough Campus we have a 17 - person materials engineering team, who support the engineering & test teams through materials recommendations, observations, and assessments. Supporting programs of work within the Peterborough campus and our extended Caterpillar customers within the UK & Europe. Our world class 'accredited' lab facilities allowing us to support the development of new technologies and derive solutions for our global Caterpillar manufacturing customers, always supporting the drive for sustainability through the company. Additionally, as part of the AMT 350 - person global team we draw on our internal expertise to develop materials-based solutions for all our global Caterpillar customer requests.
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?
Our industrial placement training scheme is a 12-month placement. From day one you will be embedded in a team solving real world problems. You will get to work and collaborate with people in Caterpillar facilities worldwide.
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/buddy. 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 2:2.
Role specific job duties

• Materials assessments, metallic & non-metallic to standards & specifications
• Detailed component and materials failure analysis
• Development of new assessment process's/technologies
• Supplier process audit assessment & support
• Validation & testing of components/materials
• Internal design projects & project management
• Team internal data analytics & creation
• Involvement with lab accreditation & H&S requirements/improvements

Who are we looking for?
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 2:2 honours degree level in a relevant discipline:

• Materials
• Science
• Engineering - Aeronautical, Aerospace, Agricultural, Automotive, Mechanical
• Metallurgy
• Chemistry

Key Specific role requirements

• Materials Engineering
• Science
• Chemistry

Recruitment Process Guidelines:
Here is a brief overview of what you can expect when applying to our Early Career roles...
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 13th January 2026 onsite at our Peterborough facility so please try to keep that date free. We would also recommend that you check your spam emails and your online 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. Placement Students will start on 6th July 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.
The panel cannot make assumptions when shortlisting therefore please demonstrate your qualifications and experience on your CV relevant to the criteria outlined.
Pending the number of applications, the criteria for the position may be enhanced to facilitate shortlisting, this may include amendments to the job posting dates.
Additional Info
This role is based from the office in Peterborough and will require 5 days per week on site.
Posting Dates: October 15, 2025 - November 12, 2025
Caterpillar is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants of any age are encouraged to apply
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