At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and develop electrified machine systems, tackling real-world challenges.
- Company: Join Caterpillar, a global leader in sustainable engineering solutions.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous leave, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with hands-on experience in innovative projects.
- Why this job: Make a tangible impact on the future of electrification and sustainability.
- Qualifications: Degree in engineering or relevant experience; strong problem-solving skills required.
The predicted salary is between 49519 - 74278 £ per year.
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. Together, we are building a better world, so we can all enjoy living in it.
Location: Peterborough, UK – On-site 5 days a week. Flexible working arrangements will be considered for this role, in-line with the needs of the business.
Benefits:
- 25 days annual leave
- Up to 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 health and dental care plans, EV car lease, holiday purchase
About E&ES: Caterpillar's Electrification & Energy Solutions (E&ES) Division is focused on delivering advanced electrified powertrain systems, zero-emission technologies, and the solutions and services associated with these technologies. We are building the next generation of electrified products that help our customers solve their toughest challenges and create a more sustainable future.
Job Summary: We are looking for a Design Engineer to join the UK Rapid Electrification Development (RED) team within Electrification & Energy Solutions. The RED team designs, builds, validates and deploys technical and commercial demonstrator machines, developing innovative electrified machine solutions that address real customer challenges. This is an exciting opportunity to work within empowered task-force "team of teams", collaborating closely with customers, customer-facing teams, build teams and validation teams to rapidly develop and mature new electrified machine solutions.
What You Will Do:
- Contribute to concept and detailed design activities for electrified machine systems and subsystems, supporting projects from initial requirements through prototype build and validation.
- Work within cross-functional task-force teams to solve customer challenges and deliver innovative engineering solutions.
- Collaborate closely with customer-facing teams, build teams and validation teams to support rapid development, testing and continuous improvement of demonstrator machines.
- Support mechanical and/or electrical design activities, including system integration, packaging and component development.
- Create and maintain engineering models, drawings, documentation and supporting design deliverables.
- Apply structured problem-solving techniques to investigate issues, identify root causes and implement robust solutions.
- Support design reviews, validation activities and engineering change implementation throughout the product development lifecycle.
What You Have - Skills:
- Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering or a related engineering discipline, or equivalent industry experience.
- Experience in a product design and development environment, with exposure to concept and detailed design activities.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to work effectively across multiple projects and priorities.
- Experience using engineering design tools such as Creo or equivalent CAD software, including the creation of engineering drawings and models.
- Effective communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work within multidisciplinary engineering teams.
Top Candidates Will Also Have - Knowledge of:
- Experience with mechanical systems, electrical systems, or both.
- Exposure to electrified powertrain systems, machine integration, low-voltage or high-voltage applications.
- Experience working in prototype, demonstrator or pre-production product development environments.
- Knowledge of engineering processes and tools such as Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA), Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T), Design for Manufacturability (DFM) or validation planning.
What You Will Get: You will have the opportunity to work on high-profile machine electrification programmes, gaining broad exposure across concept development, machine integration, build and validation activities. This role provides a unique opportunity to work close to customers and product hardware while developing technologies that will help shape the future of electrified machines.
Additional information: The posting closes at 12am on the 9th July 2026. Caterpillar Inc. 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. For nearly 100 years, we’ve been helping customers build a better, more sustainable world and are committed and contributing to a reduced-carbon future.
NB. 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 position requires working onsite five days a week. Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position.
Caterpillar is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants of any age are encouraged to apply.
Design Engineer in Peterborough employer: Caterpillar
Caterpillar Inc. is an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture, where employees are empowered to make a meaningful impact on the future of electrified machine solutions. Located in Peterborough, UK, the company offers competitive benefits including a generous pension scheme, flexible working arrangements, and opportunities for professional growth within a global leader in sustainable technology. Join us to be part of a team that not only values your contributions but also supports your career development in a dynamic and supportive environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Design Engineer in Peterborough
✨Get Your Hands Dirty at Engineering Events
Join local engineering meetups or industry conferences related to mechanical engineering. Whether it's a workshop or a career fair, these events are goldmines for networking and getting a foot in the door. Plus, you can showcase your passion and enthusiasm directly to potential employers like Caterpillar.
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✨Apply Directly on Company Websites
Check out the careers page of Caterpillar and apply directly through there. It shows initiative and interest in their specific values. Plus, you'll often find openings that aren't advertised on job boards, giving you a better chance to land that full-time gig!
We think you need these skills to ace Design Engineer in Peterborough
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Expertise:In mechanical engineering, it’s vital to highlight your technical skills and projects. Make sure to include relevant software proficiency (like CAD tools) in your CV. If you've worked on specific engineering projects, detail your key contributions — we want to see how you’ve applied your skills in a practical setting!
Focus on Problem-Solving Examples:Employers in mechanical engineering love to see how you handle challenges. Use your cover letter to share specific instances where you’ve solved a complex problem or improved a design. This will show us you're not just knowledgeable but also capable of applying that knowledge effectively.
Highlight Relevant Certifications:Include any relevant certifications or training that can set you apart from the competition. Whether it's coursework from your degree, a recognised certification, or extra training in new technologies, we love to see candidates who continuously improve their skill set. This tells us you're serious about your career in engineering!
Tailor Your CV for the Role:Don’t forget to customise your CV for Caterpillar and the Design Engineer role specifically. Pull examples from your experience that align with the job description — it shows us you've done your research and are genuinely interested in becoming part of the team. We recommend applying through our website to ensure your application gets to the right people!
How to prepare for a job interview at Caterpillar
✨Brush Up on Your CAD Skills
Since mechanical engineering often involves design processes, be ready to showcase your proficiency in CAD software like SolidWorks or AutoCAD. Bring along a digital portfolio or even some sketches that demonstrate your design capabilities — it’s a great way to show what you can bring to the table at Caterpillar.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect technical questions that test your understanding of engineering principles and problem-solving skills. You might get hypothetical scenarios where you need to design a component or troubleshoot a mechanical system. Practising these types of questions will give you the confidence to tackle whatever comes your way!
✨Show Your Team Spirit
As a full-time mechanical engineer, collaboration is key! Be ready to share examples of past team projects or any experiences where you contributed to solving a complex problem with others. Demonstrating your ability to work in a team will resonate well with the interviewers at Caterpillar.
✨Discuss Your Future Goals
Since this is a full-time position, your long-term vision is important. Be open about your career aspirations, whether it’s mastering a specific tool or leading projects. This shows that you're committed not just to learning but also to growing with Caterpillar, making you a more appealing candidate.
