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.
Position: Performance and Validation Engineer
Salary: £57,000-£70,000 depending on experience
Location: Wimborne
Benefits:
* 25 days annual leave,
* Up to 12% 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 for family members, EV car lease, holiday purchase.
This role is based full time in the office
Please note that we are planning to have two steps interview process.
About Caterpillar Marine Power UK
Caterpillar Marine Power UK is part of Caterpillar Oil, Gas and Marine Division. The company designs, tests and manufactures and exports 0.5 to C7.1L Cat® and Perkins marine engines and gensets. Caterpillar is a Fortune 100 company.
The Opportunity
An exciting opportunity has emerged for a Senior Performance Engineer to join Caterpillar’s growing marine power engineering team. This expansion is driven by Caterpillar’s ambitious vision for the future of marine power systems, creating a fast‑paced environment with engaging projects and potential for career development.
Reporting to the Performance and Validation Manager, the role focuses on supporting the testing and performance development of both new and existing products to ensure they meet demanding specification targets. It’s a highly varied, multifunctional position that rewards initiative and thrives on collaboration within a strong, team‑oriented culture.
The Wimborne Engineering team leads the development of Caterpillar Marine engines and generator sets across the C18, C12, C9.3, C7.1 and C4.4 platforms, each offering multiple auxiliary and propulsion ratings. These products represent the Caterpillar and Perkins brands globally within the marine market. The Wimborne facility brings together product development, product maintenance, customer support and manufacturing operations on a single site, creating a dynamic environment where engineering excellence and real‑world impact go hand in hand.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
* Collaborate with the product requirements team to define, scope, and validate the needs for new and existing products.
* Work with design teams to deliver robust, market‑leading solutions that meet customer and regulatory expectations.
* Lead ratings development across mechanical and electronically controlled platforms, including high‑performance ratings.
* Oversee performance and emissions testing, ensuring results are accurate, repeatable, and aligned with programme targets.
* Prepare technical documentation to support emissions certification for new ratings and maintain compliance for existing ones.
* Engage with global emissions regulation teams, representing the Marine Product Group to ensure robust compliance.
* Develop and manage comprehensive performance and mechanical validation test programmes.
* Analyse and interpret test data, producing clear, insightful reports and presenting findings to stakeholders when required.
* Provide accurate performance and validation data to support product documentation and customer support activities.
* Contribute to production test programmes, including defining and managing test pass‑off limits.
* Stay informed on emerging technologies and champion continuous improvement, including the application of Design of Experiments (DoE) methodologies.
KEY COMPETENCIES:
* Planning and organisation
* Self‑starting and proactive approach
* Strong attention to detail
* Effective communication
* Sound decision‑making
* Teamwork and collaboration
The successful candidate will bring a structured, analytical approach to problem‑solving and the ability to manage multiple projects with differing priorities and deadlines. As a senior member of the team, they will be self‑motivated, capable of working independently when required, and committed to supporting and coaching colleagues within the performance and validation function.
What You Will Have:
Essential:
Technical Excellence: Knowledge of a given technology and various application methods; ability to develop and provide solutions to significant technical challenges.
* Degree in an accredited Engineering curriculum plus relevant experience.
* Experience with diesel engine calibration including running targeted design of experiments.
* Understanding of emissions certification processes.
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. Excellent analytical skills with the ability to report and present results.
Desirable skills:
* Experience and understanding of marine engine systems.
* Understanding of Hybrid Systems.
* Experience with alternative fuels, such as Biodiesel, HVO and Methanol.
* High Performance engine development.
* Experience with after‑treatment development and calibration.
What You Will Get
We look forward to welcoming the successful candidate to our dynamic, diverse and friendly team. We have a culture of openness, autonomy, support, personal development as well as a continuous drive for improvement.
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 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. #LI
Posting Dates: February 11, 2026 - February 25, 2026
Caterpillar is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants of any age are encouraged to apply
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