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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and improve Caterpillar's Backhoe Loader for better performance and efficiency.
- Company: Join Caterpillar, a global leader in construction and mining equipment.
- Benefits: Enjoy 27 days annual leave, a 10% bonus, and a contributory pension scheme.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on sustainable engineering solutions while collaborating globally.
- Qualifications: Degree in Mechanical Engineering and experience with design tools like PTC Creo.
- Other info: Limitless career opportunities and hands-on training await you at Caterpillar.
The predicted salary is between 33900 - 48000 £ per year.
Overview
Career Area: Engineering
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.
Job Title: Design Engineer – Current Production (Backhoe Loader)
Salary: £39,900 – £48,000 depending on background
Contract: Full time & permanent
Location: Desford, Leicestershire
The Opportunity
Join our production engineering team and help shape the future of Caterpillar’s Backhoe Loader, a globally recognised product built right here in Desford.
You’ll support design changes that improve performance, reliability and efficiency, working closely with our teams in Brazil and India to ensure consistency across all sites. This role is hands-on, collaborative, and focused on delivering robust solutions that keep production running smoothly.
If you’re process-driven, proactive, and ready to make a real impact, we’d love to hear from you!
What you will do
As a Design Engineer, you will be responsible for, but not limited to:
- Deliver design changes that improve product performance, reliability, and cost-efficiency.
- Collaborate with global teams to maintain product commonality.
- Support production engineering activities and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Ensure robust validation of design updates before implementation.
- Contribute to the development of engineering procedures and best practices.
NB. The panel cannot make assumptions when shortlisting therefore please demonstrate your qualifications and experience on your CV relevant to the criteria outlined.
What you can demonstrate
- Design for Manufacturability (DFM): Applies DFM principles to optimise product designs, simplify manufacturing processes, and reduce costs. Familiar with standard methodologies and use cases across various manufacturing environments.
- Information Capture: Uses digital tools to gather, organise, and archive technical and business information in a structured, auditable format. Understands relevant standards and documentation practices.
- Engineering – MFG: Supports engineering activities in a production setting, including drafting specifications, resolving technical issues, and applying established standards and procedures to improve reliability and efficiency.
- Communication: Demonstrates effective communication by tailoring messages to the audience, maintaining clarity and focus, and engaging across all organizational levels.
Top candidates will also have
- A Degree in Mechanical Engineering (or a related accredited discipline).
- PTC Creo with working level experience in Sheet Metal and Hose Routing tools.
- Siemens Teamcenter with some experience with Change Notices and Releasing.
- Working Knowledge of Caterpillar Engineering Standards and best practices.
Pending the number of applications, the criteria for the position may be enhanced to facilitate shortlisting.
What You Will Get
One Company, Limitless Opportunities
Caterpillar is the world’s leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, off-highway diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines and diesel-electric locomotives. We do business on every continent, principally operating through three primary segments – Construction Industries, Resource Industries, and Energy & Transportation – and providing financing and related services through our Financial Products segment.
Careers at Caterpillar are limitless, we have opportunities in Engineering, Human Resources, Manufacturing, Marketing, Sales, Supply Chain and so much more. You can create the career you want. It’s your time and talent, make it count.
Our Sustainability Commitment
Caterpillar has a long-standing commitment to sustainability, one of our five Values in Action. It is part of who we are and what we do. We actively lead sustainable green initiatives to preserve the environment, help reduce poverty with the Caterpillar Foundation and stay involved in the communities we help build.
Training & Development
You’ll receive training in Caterpillar’s design and procurement tools, along with hands-on machine operation to deepen product understanding. Project-dependent opportunities may also arise to collaborate with global teams in the USA, Brazil, and India.
Benefits
27 days annual leave plus Bank holidays – opportunity to buy and sell, 10% Bonus, Contributory pension scheme – Caterpillar will double the employee\’s contribution Up to 10%, Contributory share scheme – Caterpillar will match 50% of the employee\’s contribution, optional flexible benefits including access to private health and dental care plans, EV car lease etc
Travel
Not required
Posting Dates
September 22, 2025 – October 6, 2025
Caterpillar is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants of any age are encouraged to apply
Not ready to apply? Join our Talent Community
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Design Engineer - Current Production employer: Caterpillar
Contact Detail:
Caterpillar Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Design Engineer - Current Production
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current employees at Caterpillar on LinkedIn or through mutual connections. A friendly chat can give you insider info and might just get your foot in the door.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching Caterpillar’s latest projects and sustainability initiatives. Show them you’re not just interested in the role, but also in their mission to build a better world.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your problem-solving skills! As a Design Engineer, you’ll need to demonstrate how you tackle design challenges. Use real-life examples from your experience to showcase your thought process.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the Caterpillar team.
We think you need these skills to ace Design Engineer - Current Production
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience and qualifications that are relevant to the Design Engineer role. Use keywords from the job description to show we’re on the same page!
Showcase Your Skills: Don’t just list your skills; demonstrate how you’ve applied them in real-world scenarios. We want to see how you’ve used DFM principles or tackled engineering challenges in your past roles.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward. We appreciate clarity, so make sure your points are easy to understand and directly related to the role.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves!
How to prepare for a job interview at Caterpillar
✨Know Your Design Principles
Make sure you brush up on Design for Manufacturability (DFM) principles. Be ready to discuss how you've applied these in past projects, as this will show your understanding of optimising product designs and simplifying manufacturing processes.
✨Showcase Your Collaboration Skills
Caterpillar values teamwork, especially in a global context. Prepare examples of how you've successfully collaborated with teams across different locations or departments. Highlight any experience you have with tools like Siemens Teamcenter to demonstrate your ability to work effectively in a production setting.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect questions that dive deep into your engineering knowledge and problem-solving skills. Review common technical issues related to backhoe loaders and think about how you would approach resolving them. This will help you stand out as a proactive candidate.
✨Communicate Clearly and Effectively
Effective communication is key in this role. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and tailoring your messages to different audiences. During the interview, engage with your interviewers by asking insightful questions about their engineering processes and challenges.
