Level 6 Product Design and Development Engineer Apprenticeship

Career Area

Students and Graduates

Your Work Shapes the World at Caterpillar Inc.

When you join Caterpillar, you’re joining a global team that cares not just about the work we do – but also about each other. We are makers, problem solvers and future world builders who create 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’re building a better world so we can all enjoy living in it.

We are Caterpillar. Our people roll up our sleeves and do the work to build a better world. We make progress happen. We’re proud of that because it helps our customers build and power the world we live in – roads, hospitals, homes and infrastructure.

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 operate on every continent through three key segments – Construction Industries, Resource Industries, and Power & Energy – and provide 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 much more. You can create the career you want. It’s your time and talent – make it count.

An apprenticeship is a paid job where the employee learns and gains valuable real‑life experiences.

We offer apprenticeships to join our Component Engineering team located at our Peterborough facility (PE1 5FQ
). Our team designs, develops, tests and manufactures powertrain solutions for Caterpillar and third‑party customers.

• Earn a competitive salary package, starting at c. £2,493 per year.
• Receive 25 days annual leave, plus bank holidays.
• Access to a contributory share and pension scheme, flexible benefits, flexible working opportunities, family‑friendly policies and up to 9% bonus.

In collaboration with our training provider,
WMG University of Warwick
, our 4‑year degree apprenticeship scheme enables you to grow and develop your capabilities. Apprentices spend at least 20% of their working hours completing university‑based learning leading to a nationally recognised qualification through the Level 6 Product Design and Development Engineer Apprenticeship standard.

• A Level 6 Product Design and Development Engineer Apprenticeship certificate.
• BEng (Hons) Applied Professional Engineering.

Apprentices are required to attend university on a block release basis, travel and potentially stay over. Upon completion, apprentices can apply for IEng (Incorporated Engineer) professional registration status.

Apprentices undertake various six‑month placements across a wide range of functional areas. Within each placement we develop solid learning experiences and formal developmental training while delivering business contributions to cost and quality targets. Placement tasks may include, but are not limited to:

• Component and system design, including simulation and predictive techniques to refine designs.
• Development of drawings and other information to support the release of parts onto Bill of Materials and engine lists in preparation for volume production.
• Write and review technical information and reports to support production design release.
• Collaborate with suppliers to develop specifications and deliver quality solutions through Advanced Product Quality Planning.
• Mechanical verification and validation of engine components and systems.
• Failure analysis and defect resolution using industry‑standard methods.
• Working with our Dealer & Distributor network to improve capability and quality of our products and services.
• Supporting new engine installations into machines with customers.
• Visiting customers to provide field support.
• Managing engine service and quality issues and considering commercial aspects.
• Producing engine service training material and literature.
• Supporting technical enquiries from customers.
• Design, develop and test…