Microscopy Internship Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

Career Area:
Students and Graduates
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.
About the Role
Caterpillar's Corporate Engineering Intern program seeks students currently enrolled in a four-year university to work alongside engineering professionals to learn and apply themselves to project work within their teams.
Interns will have assignments that provide them with experience and significant learning opportunities. In addition to this work, Interns can network with management throughout the company to learn about Caterpillar areas outside their assigned team.
Students can deepen their business skills in their assignments through team and business partner interactions, develop their skills, conduct presentations, and measure their success through the performance and evaluation process.
What You Will Do
You'll join a team with diverse project responsibilities and have valuable networking opportunities with all levels of Caterpillar employees. The internship is a 40-hour-per-week assignment lasting 12 weeks. You can focus on building technical abilities in roles including (but not limited to):

• Ferrous Metallurgy: Deepen your understanding of wrought steels and ferrous castings through hands-on assignments in the foundry, traveling to our extensive supply base, or using advanced equipment in a lab setting

• Failure Analysis: Tackle urgent issues impacting our customers by developing your metallography, fractography, and microscopy skills under the guidance and mentoring of veteran experts

• Quality Engineering: Work in a Caterpillar factory environment where you will learn to apply materials engineering inspection methods and problem-solving techniques to deliver our products to customers at the quality levels they expect

• Heat Treat Engineering: Gain hands-on experience with heat treat production operations, including recipe development, quality control, efficiency improvements, and capital projects

• Product Development: Provide materials engineering support to design engineers developing our next generation of products while you develop a broader knowledge of Caterpillar's applications and markets

What You Have - Skills and Experiences
In this role, you will have the opportunity to contribute your unique skills and experiences. Below are some of the most critical skills.

• Analytical skills, initiating ideas, troubleshooting, root cause analysis, problem-solving, and critical thinking capabilities

• Knowledge of engineering principles, theory, and engineering experience gained through projects, internships, and/or relevant work experience

• Fundamental understanding of engineering for a manufacturing environment, ability to design and implement materials, structures, machines, devices, systems, and processes that safely realize a desired objective or invention

• Organize and manage multiple projects simultaneously, ability to quickly gain and effectively apply new skills & knowledge

• Success in collaborating with others of diverse cultures, interpersonal styles, and abilities

• Strong written and verbal communication skills

• Participate in, and build on our inclusive, constructive, and productive work environment

• Ensure all team members' contributions are recognized and valued

Internship Program Qualifications

• Must be enrolled full-time in a 4-year university/college pursuing an ABET accredited degree in a Materials Engineering discipline (e.g. Metallurgical Eng, Ceramic Eng, Materials Science, etc.) at the time of application and throughout the program

• A Mechanical Engineering degree with a minor in Materials Engineering may be considered

• Must have completed at least 24 semester hours from current institution before the start of the internship. If a transfer student, must have 12 semester hours completed at a 4-year university

• Must have a minimum 3.0/4.0 cumulative grade point average (no rounding) at time of application from current institution*

• *Current 1st year/1st semester students at current institution may utilize high school, college/community college, or trade school transcripts to meet a minimum 3.0 cumulative grade point average at time of graduation

• Must maintain 3.0/4.0 cumulative grade point average (no rounding) prior to start of internship

• Must be able to relocate to Peoria, IL area or an indicated work location for the duration of the internship and complete daily work commute using reliable transportation

Top Candidates May Also Have

• Previous technical internship, co-op, or research/relevant experience

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills

Additional Information

• Must attach your resume and an unofficial copy of your transcript to your application

• Applicants will be considered for positions throughout the United States

• Most positions are based in Mossville, Illinois, with limited availability in other United States' locations

• Sponsorship is NOT available for this position

• This position requires working onsite five days a week

Why Choose Caterpillar?
We're a values-driven company where you'll feel your work matters-whether you're optimizing machine performance, writing embedded code, or designing the next innovation in clean energy. You'll gain access to top-tier mentorship, technical resources, and real ownership of your work from day one.
Final Details
Please frequently check the email associated with your application, including the junk/spam folder, as this is the primary correspondence method. If you wish to know the status of your application - please use the candidate log-in on our career website as it will reflect any updates to your status.
For more information, visit caterpillar.com. To connect with us on social media, visit caterpillar.com/social media.
Summary Pay Range:
$25.00 - $43.00
Intern Hourly Rate:
An intern's hourly rate is based on the major/degree being pursued and the number of completed academic hours achieved before the start of the internship.
Intern Benefits:
The total rewards package, beyond base salary, may include if eligible:

• Accrued Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Paid Holidays
• Paid Volunteer Day
• Housing Stipend
• Relocation Assistance
• Medical coverage
• Voluntary benefits

Relocation is available for this position.
Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position.
Posting Dates:
August 17, 2026 - December 30, 2026
Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the successful completion of a drug screen.
Caterpillar is an Equal Opportunity Employer, Including Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities. Qualified applicants of any age are encouraged to apply.
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