FCAW Welding Instructor / Trainer

Caterpillar Inc.; South Milwaukee (WI); On-site; USD 81,000 - 122,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision benefits

Paid time off

401(k) plans

HSA

Flexible Spending Accounts

Career Development

Incentive bonus

Tuition Reimbursement

Job summary

Caterpillar Inc. in South Milwaukee, WI seeks a FCAW Welding Instructor / Trainer on 1st shift to mentor welders and lead hands-on training. The role blends welding expertise with people development to elevate quality, safety, and productivity.

You will partner with operations leadership and Talent Acquisition to assess skills, design targeted training, and drive continuous improvement in a high‑impact manufacturing environment.

Qualifications

• Ability to recognize, anticipate, and resolve organizational, operational, or process-related issues.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including operations, leadership, and HR.
• Assess skill gaps and identify learning priorities for performance.
• Execute daily training activities, programs, and documentation.
• Design practical training solutions to improve workforce capability.
• Evaluate training effectiveness and drive continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Deliver hands-on training for new hires and current welders on FCAW production skills and quality.
• Assess welding skill levels, identify gaps, and develop targeted training plans.
• Evaluate weld quality and provide coaching to improve outcomes.
• Collaborate with lead welders, supervisors, and cross-functional partners to align training with production needs.
• Refine training programs, processes, and evaluation methods for better results.
• Track and document training progress with accurate records for operations.
• Contribute to a safe, efficient shop environment through consistent training practices.

Skills

Problem Solving

Collaborating

Training Needs Analysis

Training Operations

Training Solution Development

Training Evaluation

Job description

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.

Career Area

Manufacturing

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.

FCAW Welding Instructor / Trainer - 1st Shift

(7am to 3pm)

Location

South Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Pay Range

$81,370 - $122,060

Benefits

Effective Day One

Relocation

Assistance is Available

Work Authorization Sponsorship

Not Available

Job Summary

We're looking for a welding mentor, coach, and instructor who is passionate about developing the next generation of FCAW welders. The ideal candidate enjoys teaching as much as welding and takes pride in helping others improve their skills, confidence, and quality performance.

This position is approximately 50% welding expertise and 50% people development. The most successful trainers are patient coaches who enjoy helping others learn and grow.

You will partner closely with operations leadership, lead welders, and Talent Acquisition to assess skills, support hiring decisions, and improve training effectiveness. This is a high-impact, visible role that directly influences quality, safety, and operational performance.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver hands-on training for new hires and current employees, focusing on production welding skills, techniques, and quality standards
• Assess welding skill levels, identify gaps, and develop targeted training plans to improve performance
• Evaluate weld quality and defects, providing coaching and corrective guidance to improve outcomes
• Collaborate with lead welders, supervisors, and cross-functional partners to align training with production needs
• Support continuous improvement by refining training programs, processes, and evaluation methods
• Track and document training progress, ensuring accuracy of records and data for operational use
• Contribute to a safe, efficient, and high-quality shop environment through consistent training and best practices

Who Will Thrive In This Role

You may be a fit if you:

• Enjoy teaching and coaching others
• Are patient and approachable when working with new welders
• Take pride in seeing others succeed
• Can explain welding concepts in multiple ways
• Naturally build trust and credibility on the shop floor
• Are comfortable giving constructive feedback

Experience That Will Make You Stand Out

• Experience teaching, training, mentoring, or developing welders in an industrial, educational, apprenticeship, military, or union environment
• Hands-on FCAW training experience
• Experience teaching FCAW in a school, apprenticeship, union, military, or manufacturing environment
• AWS Certified Welding Educator (CWE) or similar training credentials
• Experience evaluating weld tests and coaching individuals through skill development
• Experience creating training materials, lesson plans, or qualification programs

Required Skills

• Problem Solving: Ability to recognize, anticipate, and resolve organizational, operational, or process-related issues; applies structured problem-solving approaches in diverse situations.
• Collaborating: Ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams, including operations, leadership, and HR partners, in a constructive and team-oriented manner.
• Training Needs Analysis: Ability to assess skill gaps and identify learning priorities required for both individual and organizational performance.
• Training Operations: Understanding of training processes and ability to execute daily training activities, programs, and documentation to ensure effective delivery.
• Training Solution Development: Ability to design and implement practical training solutions that address identified needs and improve workforce capability.
• Training Evaluation: Ability to assess the effectiveness of training programs using appropriate tools, metrics, and feedback, and continuously improve outcomes.

Call to Action

If you’re a leader in welding and passionate about developing others or a training leader with deep welding expertise, this is your opportunity to make a lasting impact. At our South Milwaukee facility, you will not just train welders, you will help build and shape the skills behind some of the largest and most powerful mining machines in the world, including Cat® Electric Rope Shovels (ERS).

Join us to develop the next generation of welders while working on equipment that truly stands apart in the manufacturing world and apply today to be part of something big.

Note

Please check your email (including spam/junk folders) regularly for updates throughout the hiring process.

Summary Pay Range

$81,370.00 - $122,060.00

Compensation and benefits offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, job level, market location, job-related knowledge, skills, individual performance and experience. Please note that salary is only one component of total compensation at Caterpillar.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision benefits*
• Paid time off plan (Vacation, Holidays, Volunteer, etc.)*
• 401(k) savings plans*
• Health Savings Account (HSA)*
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)*
• Health Lifestyle Programs*
• Employee Assistance Program*
• Voluntary Benefits and Employee Discounts*
• Career Development*
• Incentive bonus*
• Disability benefits
• Life Insurance
• Parental leave
• Adoption benefits
• Tuition Reimbursement
• These benefits also apply to part-time employees

Posting Dates

September 25, 2026 - October 5, 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.

Not ready to apply? Join our Talent Community.