Career Area:
Students and Graduates
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.
12 Month Industrial Placement Scheme
Discipline: Finance
Location: Peterborough
Salary: £26,000, Share Scheme, Pension and 25 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays
At Caterpillar, you build what matters—whether it’s the career you want, crucial work skills, strong relationships, or new technologies. – Our work is powered by our people.
*Please note that in order to be eligible to complete a 12 Month Industrial Placement commencing July 2026, you must be in your penultimate year of study unless enrolled in an integrated master’s program.
Who is Caterpillar?
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.
What do we do?
Perkins Engines is a major worldwide business within Caterpillar and is strongly integrated into the Caterpillar organisation. Finance plays a pivotal role in decision-making, risk management and control, financial reporting and strategic planning. Finance people work in a fast-paced environment where commitment and accountability are key to providing a value-added service to all its customers.
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?
Whatever your position within Finance you will gain wide exposure to the role that it plays in the operations of a major company.
Typical activities that an undergraduate student may be involved in are –
Compilation of financial reports
Financial analysis
Internal controls
Financial reporting systems
Liaising with other areas within the business.
However, what you do will be secondary to the experience that you will gain from a year with one of the world’s leading industrial businesses. We will provide you the training and support you need to be successful at Caterpillar.
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.
Who are we looking for?
To succeed in Finance, you need to be numerate, computer literate, with good time management skills and have the ability to work under pressure. Finance is all about providing a valued service whilst meeting deadlines. You must be able to interpret and convey information, often to non-financial managers. You will have the personal qualities and the desire to be part of a successful Finance team.
It is essential that applicants should have achieved or be on track to achieve a minimum of a 2:2 in one of the following disciplines: Accountancy, Finance, or a relevant Business-related degree.
Recruitment Process:
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 attend a pre-recorded user-friendly video interview which you have one week to complete and submit. You are able to record your answers several times to allow you plenty of practice if required. Please ensure that you check your spam emails for this invite. At this stage if you are successful, you will be invited to attend an Assessment Centre onsite on 13th February 2026.
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!
If you require any reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process, please let us know and we will accommodate wherever possible.
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.
Depending on the volume of applications received, the selection criteria may be refined to support the shortlisting process. This may also include an adjustment to the application deadline.
This position requires working onsite five days a week.
Posting Dates:
November 28, 2025 - December 26, 2025
Caterpillar is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants of any age are encouraged to apply
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