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.
Graduate Scheme
Discipline: Quality Engineering
Location: Peterborough, UK
Salary: £35,833, £1,500 Sign on Bonus, 10% Annual Bonus, Share Scheme, Pension and 25 days annual leave (plus bank holidays)
We currently have lots of exciting opportunities for Graduates to join Caterpillar across the UK!
New graduates are critical to the success of our business. You power our success, and we are committed to empowering yours. After all, when your work can impact the entire world, it’s important to do work that matters.
We are looking for talented, ambitious people from various backgrounds who are interested in setting out on the road to success and in return, we will provide you the training, mentoring, and support you need to have a successful career at Caterpillar.
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.
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.
Our Solutions Help Our Customers Build a Better World
Customers use our products to build the basic infrastructure that enables higher standards of living so that people have access to water, electricity, roads, bridges, hospitals, schools and so much more
We have a clear vision to be the global leader in providing customer value in the markets in which we operate. Our core values (Safety, Integrity, Excellence, Teamwork and Commitment) are key to our success.
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.
The Role
Lasting two years, the Quality Engineer graduate development scheme gives you the opportunity to develop your skills and knowledge as you take responsibility for quality response and improvements across products and processes throughout the engine manufacturing facility. Rotations during the scheme can vary in length but typically last 6 months, majoring on facility end to end quality processes and systems and potentially include the following:
Customer focused quality
New Product design of quality and manufacture
Tactical quality response and systemic RCCA
Component validation to engineering specifications utilising metrology skill sets
Continuous improvement opportunities on existing or planned production facilities
Data analytics to support robust investigations and RCCA
Develop a strong problem-solving toolkit to aid in manufacturing/process investigations
Based within the Global Technical Support team your rotations may include close collaboration with other significant business areas such as: Operations and Quality, Product Development, Product Management, Purchasing, Suppliers and Customers enabling you to understand the interactions and how a company the size of Caterpillar operates on a global scale.
Whilst on the development scheme, as well as technical projects, you will be given project leadership experience to grow your skills portfolio. This is encouraged through support with the right amount of freedom to develop your technical capability and business acumen. Within a short period of time, you will become an embedded team member.
What happens after the graduate scheme?
Upon successful completion of the scheme, you will progress into a key role where you will directly contribute to the operational and project activity that is at the heart of our business. We will provide you with the training and support you need to have a successful career at Caterpillar, in a global organisation there are so many possibilities!
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 the ability to learn quickly. You will be motivated, hard-working, and will embrace change. You should be able to demonstrate teamwork, have strong communication skills that can be applied to all levels of the business and be self-motivated with an enthusiasm for engineering and technology. You should be able to demonstrate intellectual curiosity, the ability to analyse problems and offer outside-of-the-box solutions. 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 have achieved/will be on target to achieve a minimum of a 2:2 honours degree level in one of the following disciplines:
Quality and Improvement Management
Quality Management
Project Management
Process Development
Data Analytics
Engineering degrees: Industrial, Manufacturing, Industrial, Design or Product Design
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 on-site Assessment Centre which we envisage will take place on 27th May 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. Graduate Students will start on 9th September 2026. We look forward to receiving your application to join Caterpillar!
NOTES:
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 includes changing the application submission deadline.
This position requires working from the office, on-site 5 days a week.
This position requires working onsite five days a week.Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position.
Posting Dates:
April 1, 2026 - April 19, 2026
Caterpillar is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants of any age are encouraged to apply
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