Welder - 2nd/3rd Shifts - Sign-On Bonus

Caterpillar Inc.; Pontiac (IL); On-site; USD 3,582,000 - 4,271,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

Paid time off

401(k) savings plan

Health Savings Account (HSA)

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)

Career Development

Incentive bonus

Disability benefits

Life Insurance

Parental leave

Tuition Reimbursement

Job summary

Caterpillar Inc. in Pontiac, IL is seeking a Stainless-Steel Welder to operate welding equipment and assemble components per blueprints using stainless steel alloys. This role emphasizes safety, quality, and efficiency in a production environment.

You will read prints, set weld machines, perform routine maintenance, inspect your work, and adapt to multiple positions. The position offers shift options, a competitive hourly wage, benefits, and a performance-based retention bonus.

Qualifications

• One year of experience welding in a production environment.
• Beginner level proficiency reading and interpreting blueprints and layout weld stations to produce defect free work.
• Must be able to pass welder qualification requirements during Caterpillar training by CWE/CWI or approved personnel.

Responsibilities

• Follows set-up guidelines and procedures to assemble and tack weld unit using various tools.
• Sets the weld machine to correct setting for the weld application.
• Welds unit according to print specifications following guidelines and procedures.
• Demonstrates safe job procedures including PPE, fall protection, and lifting devices.
• Inspects own work using weld gauges and other measuring tools.
• Performs routine maintenance such as wire/nozzle tip changes.
• Performs in-station repair on defective welds using air arc, grinders, etc.
• Rotates to a variety of positions within the area.
• Uses lifting devices for objects heavier than 35 lbs.
• Maintains clean and orderly work environment.

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

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.

Job Summary

As a Stainless-Steel Welder at Caterpillar Pontiac, you will operate or tend welding machines that join/bond together components to fabricate products and assemblies, according to specifications and blueprints using specifically stainless steel and other industry used alloys.

What You Will Do (including But Not Limited To)

• Follows set-up guidelines and procedures to assemble and tack weld unit by using various tools (i.e., drop chains, chain hoist, metal shims, wedges, lifting lugs, “C” clamps, bar clamps, com-a-long, cutting torch, grinder, tape measure, fixtures, weld gauges, etc.)
• Sets the weld machine to correct setting for the weld application.
• Welds unit according to print specifications following guidelines and procedures.
• Demonstrate safe job procedures which include but are not limited to: Personal Protective Equipment, Uniform Care, Weld Fume Extraction, Fall Protection, and the use of Lifting Devices.
• Ability to inspect your own work including quality checks utilizing weld and attribute gauges and other measuring tools.
• Ability to perform routine maintenance such as wire and/or nozzle tip changes.
• Ability to perform in station repair on defective welds utilizing air arc process, grinders, etc.
• Ability to rotate to a variety of positions within the functional work area.
• Ability to use lifting devices for objects weighing more than 35 lbs.
• Demonstrate ability to keep the work environment in clean and orderly condition.
• Welding using a Powered Air Purifying Respirator (PAPR).
• Some welding in confined spaces may be required.

Requirements

• One year of experience welding in a production environment.
• Beginner level proficiency reading and interpreting blueprints and layout weld stations to produce defect free work.
• As described in Weld School Syllabus, you must be able to pass multiple welder qualification requirements during the Caterpillar provided training by a Certified Welding Educator (CWE), Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) or approved personnel.

Top Candidates May Also Have

• Minimum of two years of experience welding in production environment.
• Welding certification.
• Previous welding experience using mild steel, 304 stainless steel, and/or 409 stainless steel.
• Previous experience working with tooling/modular tooling (Bluco Tooling).

What You Will Get

• Safety in words and actions. Safety is a core value at Caterpillar. We encourage and commit to safety in all processes that we do. We strive to provide a safe and secure work environment for all our employees.
• A rewarding career. Our teams are critical to the success of our customers who build a better world. Here you earn more than just wage. Because we value your performance, we offer a total rewards package that provides:
• Competitive base pay – pay starting at $30.66 an hour ($26.66 base + $4.00 retention bonus).
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Paid time off plan
• 401k savings plan
• Wellness programs

Additional Information

• 2nd Shift: Monday – Friday 3:00PM – 11:00PM
• 3rd Shift: Sunday – Thursday 11:00PM – 7:00AM
• Must be able to pass welder qualification requirements during the Caterpillar provided training by a Certified Welding Educator (CWE), Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) or approved personnel.
• Starting pay is $26.66 an hour.
• $4.00 an hour retention bonus starting on day 1.
• $1.00 an hour night shift premium.
• Sign-On Bonus: up to $2000
• Relocation assistance is not available.
• 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.

Summary Pay Range

$0.00 - $0.00

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 14, 2026 - October 18, 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.