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Caterpillar is the world’s leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines and diesel-electric locomotives. Caterpillar Leicester 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. Products that are reliable, cost effective, versatile, and adaptable.
Leicester is more than just a production facility - it is a full product development centre with global responsibility for its products. Our development facilities include: Advanced 3D CAD systems on-line to other Caterpillar engineering resource centres around the world, full product prototyping and test capabilities, and, through the international network, access to some of the most advanced R&D facilities in the world.
This year we are pleased to be able to offer a number of student positions within the department including 4 placement opportunities.
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 named in the Forbes list of Best Employers for Diversity (2019) and to be the employer of one of the top 50 Women in Engineering (WE50 2021). Caterpillar is an equal opportunity employer, and we welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds.
The role
We have opportunities in several areas of our Engineering Design and Development teams, which are responsible for the development of construction machines for assembly in the UK and other countries, for distribution to worldwide markets. The team’s main function is new product development - driven by customer requirements, legislation and the business need - as well as ongoing design improvement of existing products. Our solutions must align with supplier capability and capacity, and be validated to rigorous quality specifications.
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.
Key responsibilities
To work as part of the development team, accountable for the delivery of specific design and development projects, in one or more of the following areas:
- New component and system design, such as structures, operator station, hydraulics, engine systems, electrical systems
- Validation and test, including computer simulation and predictive techniques, rig testing or overall machine testing
- Refinement of designs based on test failures or prototype build difficulties
- Shop-floor support for prototype and production machine build activities
- Existing component design improvements to resolve quality issues or save cost
- Requirements definition, including critical customer requirements, application profiles, competitive machine positioning
- Collaboration with suppliers to ensure designs produced are suitable for manufacture using the most suitable materials and processes, and to an acceptable quality level
You will be given the support and coaching required to develop your technical capability and business understanding. We promote a hands-on approach, encouraging you to spend time operating Backhoe Loader or Compact Wheel Loader machines.
We 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.
We hold a Meet and Greet day for all new UK placement students to provide you with an opportunity to meet fellow new starters across the UK before you start your placement.
About you
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 engineering disciplines: Agricultural, Automotive, Design, Electrical, Electronics or Mechanical Engineering.
Skills/Experience/Key competencies desired
- Possess at least a basic knowledge of construction equipment operation and design.
- Highly self-motivated.
- Desire to challenge both yourself and the organisation on delivery of technically superior, cost effective designs and solutions.
- Good communication skills both written and verbal, a foreign language would be an asset.
- Strong planning, organising and problem-solving skills.
- Willingness to travel and engage different cultures.
- A Full UK driving licence.
We are looking for talented, ambitious people from various backgrounds who are interested in setting out on the road to success.
