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Machine Repair Mechanic – 2nd or 3rd Shift

Caterpillar · South Milwaukee, WI · $29.02–$36.27 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 the domestic and foreign machine tools you've troubleshot and repaired.

What they are checking: Whether their repair experience covers the range of complex machine tools at South Milwaukee.

Tell me about a repeat breakdown you fixed for good.

What they are checking: Whether they look for root cause to improve reliability, not just patch failures.

How do you work with electricians when the problem could be either mechanical or electrical?

What they are checking: Whether they collaborate across trades to get machines running faster.

What would you do

A machine breaks down and you don't have the part. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they can find safe temporary solutions and communicate clearly about downtime.

This role is 2nd or 3rd shift. How do you work when you're the only mechanic on site?

What they are checking: Whether they can take ownership and make good calls without immediate backup.

About the work

Walk me through how you troubleshoot a hydraulic problem on a machine tool.

What they are checking: Whether they understand pressures, flows and components and can work through a hydraulic fault logically.

How do you rebuild a spindle or gearbox, and how do you know it's done right?

What they are checking: Whether they can do precision mechanical work and verify fits, runout and alignment.

How do you read mechanical, hydraulic or pneumatic prints?

What they are checking: Whether they can use schematics to understand a machine instead of guessing.

What's your lockout/tagout process on a machine with hydraulic and pneumatic stored energy?

What they are checking: Whether they control all energy sources, not just electrical, before working.

What preventive maintenance have you done, and how do you know it's working?

What they are checking: Whether they see maintenance as preventing failures and can measure the result.

Practice this interview out loud.

Offer builds a real interview for this exact role at Caterpillar from your resume and this job description, asks the questions one at a time, and tells you what landed. The first one is free.

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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. Machine Repair Mechanic – 2nd or 3rd Shift Location: South Milwaukee, WI Shift: 2nd or 3rd Shift (Full-Time) Bonus: $2,000 Sign-On & Retention Bonus Pay Progression • Step 1: $32.20/hr • Step 2: $33.36/hr • Step 3: $34.57/hr • Shift Premium: +$1.00/hr for 2nd or 3rd shift About Caterpillar South Milwaukee Caterpillar is hiring experienced Machine Repair Mechanics with troubleshooting and repairing experience, that can maintain complex domestic and foreign machine tools and industrial equipment, to join our manufacturing team in South Milwaukee, WI. 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. At our South Milwaukee facility, you’ll be part of a team that builds some of the largest and most powerful mining machines in the world. This facility specializes in the production of Cat® Electric Rope Shovels (ERS) used in mining operations around the world. Key Responsibilities • Diagnose and repair a wide range of machine tools including Liebherr, DMG, Pietro Carnaghi, Ingersoll, Innse, Pama, and others • Maintain and repair cranes, hoists, conveyors, furnaces, welding equipment, and other industrial assets • Install and service hydraulic and pneumatic systems, ball screws, precision bearings, and controllers • Perform machine leveling, shaft alignment, lubrication, tube bending, and welding • Read and interpret mechanical prints and hydraulic schematics • Apply scraping principles and precision alignment techniques Required Qualifications • Minimum 3 years of industrial machine tool maintenance experience or completion of a relevant technical program • Proficiency in troubleshooting and repairing complex machine tools • Ability to read and interpret mechanical and hydraulic documentation • Demonstrated proficiency in machine tool theory and application • One of the following: • Journeyman Machine Repair/Millwright certification • Associate degree in a mechanical field • Union Journeyman card • 5+ years of machine repair experience • Equivalent military training Preferred Qualifications • Experience with preventive and predictive maintenance technologies • Skills in metal fabrication and precision laser alignment • Familiarity with ball screw and spindle repair • Experience with large CNC machine tools and heavy industrial equipment • Exposure to PLC‑controlled equipment and industrial automation 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 Apply Today Join a company that values your skills, supports your growth, and rewards your hard work. Please ensure you frequently check the email account you provided on your application, including the junk/spam folder, as this is the primary correspondence method in our recruiting process . Summary Pay Range: $29.02 - $36.27 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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