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: Research and Development Technician
Location: Peterborough, UK
**Salary: ** £31,414 + depending on experience
**Benefits: **
- 25 days annual leave
- Up to 9% 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.
- Employee Referral Scheme
About IPSD
Caterpillar’s Industrial Power Systems Division (IPSD) designs, tests and manufactures 0.5 to 18L Cat® and Perkins engines that power over 5000 applications including Marine, Petroleum, Industrial Applications, Electric Generators, and Locomotives. Caterpillar’s company strategy includes sustainability as one of four focus areas and IPSD is engaged and actively preparing green energy solutions for the future.
The Opportunity
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Proving Test Technician In our L5 & L6 department, we are looking for top talent to build and scale the next generation of technologies, products and services to help our customers build a better—more sustainable—world. We need a self-motivated, intelligent and team-oriented individual to make our plans a reality. Individuals with high emotional intelligence, humility and openness to discovery will thrive in the teams we are building.
We are seeking a diverse, inclusive, and multi-disciplinary individual that will be responsible for our advanced product research and development sector. This position as an L5 & L6 Technician you will be working on our electrification, Powertrain, Diesel and hybrid and power systems. This diverse role will require a successful applicant to apply deep technical knowledge with hands on mechanical and electrical skills. This role will involve review and sign off working with lead engineering in converting data into decision making. This is a highly visible team that works directly with all areas of our Europe Research and Development Centre (ERDC) and will, at times, report directly into our product groups.
This role will require some travel opportunities to customer sites along with other test facilities when required, so a full clean UK Driving licence and passport will be essential for this position. This role is currently day shift only (5-day week 08:00 to 16:30), shift work may be required in the future. There will be some amounts of discretionary early and late working to meet customer deliverables.
** What You Will Do**
Adhere to the Organisation's health and safety policy and safe working practices.
Adhere to Caterpillar's Values in Action: Integrity, Commitment, Excellence, Teamwork & Sustainability
- Follow documented standard work procedures/instructions to perform safe and defect free assembly of parts and components, using various hand, power tools and lifting equipment provided in the work area
Follow and work to Engineers instructions to install prototype, pilot and production powertrains into machines, providing feedback and updates with detailed comments on measurements and issues.
Working with logistics in obtaining and ordering new parts and components working with Engineering Leads and customers to make sure that they are within our specifications.
Conduct direct build/strip and measure activities of our electrification, Powertrain, Diesel and hybrid components, with some sub assembly and testing requirements.
Conduct electrical safety checks to meet regulations and standards; Insulations resistance, ground bonding, Hi-Pot checks, communications using CANape and service tools.
Conduct direct testing activities working from Lead engineer’s instructions and running multiple test bed software. Then able to interpret test plan and data to sign off, ready to ship to customers and product groups.
Support Data analysis on results and help support lead engineering teams, Using analyses software programs.
Raise issues and report out on build/Test product concerns using the Pre-Production reliability development process (PPRDs).
As Part of Continuous Improvements, you will help support and review process and safety procedures along with reviewing overall quality matrix on operations and facility/assets.
Collaborate with Facilities engineering team to ensure any facility requirements are resolved with good feedback on new systems to be implemented.
- Operate a multitude of different off-highway vehicles including but not limited to, Hydraulic Excavators, Back hoe Loaders, Telehandlers, Track Type Tractors where required.
Instrument powertrains installs with, thermocouples, pressure transducers, speed pickups and other forms of sensors.
Diagnose and fix a range of faults on both powertrains and machine.
Work from engineering drawings (electrical, mechanical and hydraulic)
Manufacture parts from drawings using in house facilities (machining, welding and fabrication and fully equipped electronics lab).
Produce electrical looms to interface powertrain and machine.
Travel to various off site test and development facilities both CAT owned and 3rd Party (some overseas).
Keep the work area clean, tidy and safe in line with 5S and total preventative maintenance (TPM).
Undertake training and further learning as required.
What You Will Have
Skill Descriptors
- Accuracy and Attention to Detail: Understanding the necessity and value of accuracy; ability to complete tasks with high levels of precision.
- Analytical Thinking: Knowledge of techniques and tools that promote effective analysis; ability to determine the root cause of organizational problems and create alternative solutions that resolve these problems.
- Decision Making and Critical Thinking: Knowledge of the decision-making process and associated tools and techniques; ability to accurately analyze situations and reach productive decisions based on informed judgment.
- Effective Communications: Understanding of effective communication concepts, tools and techniques; ability to effectively transmit, receive, and accurately interpret ideas, information, and needs through the application of appropriate communication behaviors.
- Technical Excellence: Knowledge of a given technology and various application methods; ability to develop and provide solutions to significant technical challenges.
- Project Management: Knowledge of effective project management strategies and tactics; ability to plan, organize, monitor, and control projects, ensuring efficient utilization of technical and administrative resources to achieve project objectives.
- Product Testing: Knowledge of product testing approaches, techniques and tools; ability to design, plan and execute testing strategies and tactics to ensure product quality at all stages of manufacturing.
- Troubleshooting Technical Problems: Knowledge of troubleshooting approaches, tools and techniques; ability to anticipate, detect and resolve technical problems in a manufacturing environment.
Additional Desirables
Excellent respect and adherence to Health & Safety – To follow correct risk assessments and safe systems of work along with standard work instructions.
Excellent interpersonal skills (Learning, communication, teamwork)
Excellent problem solver, diagnose, repair, rebuild across multiple discipline’s (working to resolve issues with prototype parts along with data)
Keep up to date on new technologies and drive continuous improvement to established techniques.
Develop systems to embed processes and create presentations to train and communicate with business partners.
Caterpillar or industry experience - knowledge of Perkins/Caterpillar products and power systems
Experience/ knowledge in electric vehicle & Motors (AC/DC) and hybrid technology.
Experience working on high voltage systems/battery cells.
Experience working on Transmissions and powertrain
Experience with development through new product Introduction (NPI) Process
Experience in supporting engine/transmission/calibration software (CANape/Cat ET/Service tools)
Experience in wiring diagrams and able to manufacture and diagnose wiring harness problems - knowledge of Drawings/diagrams and circuits.
Experience in Hydraulics and fluid powered system – knowledge of Drawings/diagrams and circuits.
Experience in fabrication and welding – Building frames and rig assemblies to support product testing
Experience in MHE – Forklift truck/pedestrian Pallet Truck A1,5/B1 (up to 3.5 Ton)
What You Will Get
This is a fantastic opportunity to work as a part of a dedicated team!
About Caterpillar
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. Our innovative products and services, backed by our global dealer network, provide exceptional value that helps customers succeed.
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.
Posting Dates:
June 29, 2026 - July 13, 2026
Caterpillar is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants of any age are encouraged to apply
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