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This position has closed. Caterpillar removed this listing from their careers page on Oct 6, 2026. The interview prep below is still useful, and there are similar open roles at the bottom of this page.

FCAW Welding Instructor / Trainer - 2nd Shift

Caterpillar · South Milwaukee, WI · $81,370–$122,060 a year · Full time

Posted Sep 25, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 5, 2026

Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

This job is about half welding and half coaching. Tell me about someone you taught to weld and how they improved.

What they are checking: Whether they genuinely enjoy teaching and can show real progress in a trainee.

Tell me about a time you had to tell a lead welder or supervisor that a trainee wasn't ready.

What they are checking: Whether they protect quality honestly even when operations needs bodies on the line.

What would you do

A trainee gets frustrated and wants to quit after failing a weld test. What do you say?

What they are checking: Whether they are patient and can rebuild confidence without lowering standards.

This is a 2nd shift role from 3 to 11. How do you stay effective and connected with day-shift leadership?

What they are checking: Whether they can communicate across shifts and keep training aligned with operations.

How would you adjust your teaching for someone who learns by watching versus someone who learns by doing?

What they are checking: Whether they adapt their coaching style to different learners.

About the work

A new welder keeps getting porosity in their FCAW welds. How do you figure out what's going on?

What they are checking: Whether they can diagnose common defects like gas coverage, stickout or contamination and teach the fix.

How do you explain travel angle, work angle and stickout to someone who has never welded?

What they are checking: Whether they can break down technique into simple steps a beginner can follow.

How do you assess a new hire's welding skills on day one?

What they are checking: Whether they can fairly judge current ability and set a training plan from there.

What weld inspection methods do you use, and how do you teach welders to inspect their own work?

What they are checking: Whether they build quality habits in welders so problems are caught before parts move on.

What safety rules do you never bend in a welding training area?

What they are checking: Whether they model safe practice around fumes, PPE and fire risk for new welders.

Practice this interview out loud.

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The full job description

As published by Caterpillar.

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 - 2nd Shift (3pm to 11pm) Location: South Milwaukee, Wisconsin Pay Range: $81,370 - $122,060 Shift Premium: 7% Base Salary 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: 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: 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 .