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Industrial Maintenance Electrician – 1st Shift

Caterpillar · South Milwaukee, WI · $29.29–$41.96 an hour · Full time

Posted Aug 31, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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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

Tell me about a time you found the root cause of a repeat failure.

What they are checking: Whether they improve reliability instead of fixing the same thing over and over.

Tell me about a time you had to learn a new system or piece of equipment quickly.

What they are checking: Whether they can keep up as the plant adds advanced manufacturing equipment.

How do you communicate with operators and supervisors while a machine is down?

What they are checking: Whether they keep people informed so production can plan around the downtime.

What would you do

This plant builds Cat Electric Rope Shovels. What do you think is challenging about maintaining equipment that builds machines that large?

What they are checking: Whether they think about scale, heavy equipment and the cost of downtime at a plant like South Milwaukee.

How do you decide whether to fix something quickly to get it running or take it down for a deeper repair?

What they are checking: Judgment between short-term uptime and long-term reliability, which the posting stresses.

About the work

Tell me about your experience troubleshooting CNC machines, PLC-controlled equipment and drives.

What they are checking: Whether they can work on the specific controls the posting names, not just general wiring.

Walk me through how you diagnose a drive fault on a production machine.

What they are checking: Whether they read fault codes, check inputs and isolate the problem in a sensible order.

What's your lockout/tagout process on automated equipment with multiple energy sources?

What they are checking: Whether they identify and control every energy source before working on complex machines.

How comfortable are you going online with a PLC to watch inputs and outputs?

What they are checking: Whether they can use the software side of troubleshooting, not just the meter.

What preventive maintenance have you done on electrical systems, and why does it matter?

What they are checking: Whether they see maintenance as preventing breakdowns rather than only reacting to them.

Practice this interview out loud.

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The full job description

As published by Caterpillar.

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. Industrial Maintenance Electronic / Electrician ​ – 1st Shift Location: South Milwaukee, WI Shift: 1st Shift (Full-Time) Bonus: $2,000 Sign-On Bonus Pay Progression: • Step 1: $39.53/hr • Step 2: $40.75/hr • Step 3: $41.96/hr Overview: As a Maintenance Electronic/Electrician , you will play a critical role in keeping advanced manufacturing equipment running safely, reliably, and efficiently. You’ll troubleshoot and repair complex electrical and electronic systems supporting industrial production—working with CNC machines, PLC‑controlled equipment, drives, and automated systems to minimize downtime and strengthen reliability. At our South Milwaukee facility , you’ll support a team that builds some of the largest and most powerful mining machines in the world , including Cat® Electric Rope Shovels (ERS) used globally. The Maintenance Electronic/Electrician plays a critical role in ensuring the reliability, safety, and performance of advanced manufacturing equipment within a high‑volume industrial environment. This role is responsible for troubleshooting, maintaining, and repairing complex electrical and electronic systems including CNC machines, PLC‑controlled equipment, drives, and automated production systems. The position partners closely with manufacturing, engineering, and reliability teams to minimize downtime and support continuous improvement initiatives. This is an onsite role supporting large‑scale manufacturing operations with state‑of‑the‑art machinery. Key Responsibilities • Troubleshoot, diagnose, and repair industrial electrical and electronic systems including CNC machines, PLCs, servo systems, and relay logic • Perform preventive and predictive maintenance to improve equipment uptime and reliability • Read, interpret, and apply electrical schematics, ladder logic diagrams, and technical prints • Maintain and repair AC/DC drives, motors, encoders, sensors, and control panels • Support maintenance activities on cranes, hoists, conveyors, furnaces, welding equipment, HVAC systems, and automated production lines • Partner with manufacturing and engineering teams to identify root causes and implement long‑term corrective actions • Follow all safety, environmental, and compliance standards while working in an industrial environment • Accurately document maintenance activities using computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS) Required Skills • Industrial electrical maintenance experience in a manufacturing or heavy industrial environment • Strong troubleshooting capability with PLC‑controlled equipment (Allen‑Bradley, Siemens, Fanuc, or equivalent) • Experience with CNC machinery, servo systems, and industrial automation • Proficiency reading electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, and ladder logic • Knowledge of AC/DC drives, motors, and control circuits • Commitment to safety, quality, and continuous improvement Preferred Skills • Completion of a technical, electrical, or industrial maintenance program • Experience supporting large machine tools and heavy manufacturing equipment • Familiarity with predictive maintenance technologies and reliability practices • Experience working with encoder systems and industrial networking • Strong collaboration and communication skills in a team‑based environment Additional Info • Full-time, 40 hours/week • No relocation assistance • Pre-employment drug screen and medical evaluation required • Please check your email (including spam/junk folders) for updates How to Apply Ready to help shape the future of welded manufacturing at Caterpillar? Apply today and become part of a team that builds the equipment powering industries around the world. Note: Please check your email (including spam/junk folders) regularly for updates throughout the hiring process. Summary Pay Range: $29.29 - $41.96 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 5, 2026 - October 29, 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 .

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