Welder

Caterpillar Financial Services Corporation; Athens (GA); On-site; USD 32,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision

401(k) plan

Paid time off

Health Savings Account

Flexible Spending Accounts

Career development

Incentive bonus

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Caterpillar Inc. in Georgia is seeking welders to join our high-volume manufacturing team for excavators and tractors. You will operate robotic and manual MIG weld machines, perform quality checks, and follow safe procedures to produce defect-free components.

This is a 2nd or 3rd shift role with entry pay of $24.34/hr including night shift premium. Successful candidates must pass AWS D1.1 weld tests, online assessments, background checks, and medical review.

Qualifications

• Must have MIG welding experience or welding trade certificate/diploma or completed a high school welding program within last year.
• Overtime may be required to support business needs.
• Welding experience in a manufacturing environment and OSHA/Cat safety standards are preferred.

Responsibilities

• Operate robotic and manual MIG weld machines.
• Perform quality checks using weld gauges and measurements.
• Repair defective welds in-station using grinders.
• Follow documented procedures to ensure safe, defect-free operations.
• Move heavy components using lifting devices (up to 35 lbs).

Skills

MIG welding

Robotic welding

Welding experience

Education

Welding trade certificate/diploma

High school welding program

Job description

Career Area:

Operations

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.

Caterpillar is looking for candidates that want to build a career. You have a lot to offer, so we offer a commitment in return to you as a professional – and as a person. We offer competitive wages, quarterly bonus, comprehensive benefits that begins on Day ONE and paid training.

• 2nd/3rd shift: $24.34/hour (includes 8%-night shift premium)

We don’t lead our industry - our people do. Watch our video to see our team build top-of-the-line excavators and tractors.

As a Welder at Caterpillar, you will:

• Operate robotic and manual MIG weld machines
• Perform quality checks utilizing weld and attribute gages and other measuring tools
• Perform in station repair on defective welds using grinders
• Follow documented procedures standard work and routings to perform safe and defect free operations to create and machine components
• Use lifting devices to move heavy components of more than 35 lbs.

Basic Qualifications:

Must meet one of these 3 criteria:

• Must have MIG welding experience
  or
• Have a welding trade certificate/diploma
  or
• Completed a high school welding program within last year

Role requires overtime as needed to support business needs.

Physical requirements (with or without reasonable accommodation):

• Willing and able to sit or stand for prolonged periods
• Willing and able to perform repetitive operations
• Willing and able to lift up to 35 lbs.

Top candidates will also have:

• Welding experience in a manufacturing environment
• 2+ years of continuous employment in welding or manufacturing
• Continuous work history with progressive movement
• MIG welding experience and/or certification
• Robotic welding systems experience
• Caterpillar product knowledge

Caterpillar will provide training to new welders to assure that Caterpillar safety and weld quality standards are communicated and understood.

Successful candidates must be able to pass the following AWS D1.1 welder qualifications during Cat provided weld training:

• Fillet test in the 2F (horizontal), 3F (vertical) and 4F (overhead) positions
• Limited thickness groove test in the 1G (flat groove) position
• Welds will be inspected visually, destructively tested (bend test), and sectioned to verify proper penetration.

Additional Information:

• Resumes are encouraged. Do not submit a blank application (no work history / resume). This may lead to disqualification.

• Successful candidates must pass an online assessment, interview, background check, drug screen and medical review.

• This is a 2nd or 3rd shift position with an entry pay of $24.34hr (includes 8%-night shift premium).

• Relocation assistance is provided for qualified individuals.

Shift Schedule:

2nd shift Excavator Line: Monday-Friday, 3:00 pm – 11:10 pm

2nd shift Tractor Line: Monday-Thursday, 3:30 pm – 2:00 am

3rd shift: Sunday-Friday, 11:00 pm – 7:10 am

Role requires overtime as needed to support business needs.

Final details

Summary Pay Range:

$22.54 - $28.20

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:

Subject to plan eligibility, terms, and guidelines. This is a summary list of 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:

October 1, 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.