Case studies : Research and Development graduate scheme at Cat: Susie Freeman

Susie studied MEng Mechanical Engineering with Management at Edinburgh University and joined the Research and Development team at Cat in 2005. She now works as a 6 Sigma Black Belt, working on product and process improvement within the research environment within the Advanced Engineering/Research group.

I wanted to work for a large global company with plenty of ambition and opportunities. The graduate scheme was well renowned in the engineering world and offered exactly what I was after.

In the past year, my role has involved setting-up and running engines with new after-treatment technologies, project managing and providing design solutions for a Tier 4 test rig, overseeing an exhaust manifold development testing and working closely with local universities on research projects. 

My work to date has been in the design, development and engine research field. Therefore with Tier 4 advancing, I have been involved in looking at new technologies with the aim of meeting emission standards and improving engine performance.

I have received a great deal of support ranging from CAD and simulation software training to 6 Sigma green belt training. The company encourages additional learning, so if you feel you have an area of weakness which needs developing, then the chances are there is a course to suit this need.

As well as developing my technical skills in this field, I have improved on people management, presentation and organisation skills. In addition to your day to day work, there are plenty of extra curricular projects to get involved in, which will enhance a wide range of skills. 

In March 2006 I was given the opportunity to visit the Cat site in Peoria Illinois, USA. I learnt a great deal from this experience and it was a big eye opener into the Cat world.

I have thoroughly enjoyed working with Cat right from the first day of induction. The work has been both challenging and rewarding and the wide range of opportunities on offer has given me a fantastic years experience. 

My advice for anyone applying to CAT is to just be yourself. If you are ambitious and work hard then you will go far.

Having completing the graduate scheme, I moved into the Advanced Engineering/Research group on a permanent basis. Within this group I continued to work on state of the art technology within the combustion, aftertreatment and hybrids fields. Assessing technologies in order to meet future emission legislation and demands for low fuel consumption and CO2. This role involves coordinating whole projects from planning and budgeting to running test programmes on testbeds, data analysis and reporting.

I am still working within the Advanced Engineering/Research group but have taken on a new role as a 6 Sigma Black Belt, working on product and process improvement within the research environment. I am also leading programmes in the hybrids and aftertreatment fields and continue to work closely with the Perkins business unit in order to determine future technology paths.