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Painter - 2nd or 3rd Shift - Bldg LL- East Peoria

Caterpillar · East Peoria, IL · Full time

Posted Oct 2, 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 your experience spray painting large equipment or metal parts. What kind of guns and paint systems have you used?

What they are checking: Whether their hands-on painting background will carry over to coating something as large as a D10 or D11 dozer.

Tell me about a time you were under pressure to keep up with production but you saw a quality problem. What did you do?

What they are checking: Whether they will speak up and stop bad work even when the line wants speed.

Describe a time you got feedback from an inspector or supervisor about your work. How did you respond?

What they are checking: Whether they take correction without getting defensive, which matters on a team that inspects every finish.

What would you do

This role is 2nd shift Monday to Friday or 3rd shift Sunday to Thursday. Are you able to work either one reliably, and how have you handled night shifts before?

What they are checking: Whether they can show up consistently on the shift schedule, which is often the biggest reason people leave these jobs.

How do you keep the right amount of paint and supplies on hand so you are not stuck waiting mid-shift?

What they are checking: Ownership of their own work area so supply gaps do not slow down the whole line.

About the work

You notice a run on a panel you just painted. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they know how to fix a defect properly and will not just pass it down the line hoping no one sees it.

What causes runs, sags, and orange peel, and how do you prevent them?

What they are checking: Real understanding of gun distance, speed, overlap, paint viscosity and film thickness, which separate a trained painter from a beginner.

How do you clean and service a spray gun at the end of a shift, and why does it matter?

What they are checking: Whether they take care of equipment, since a dirty gun causes defects and downtime for the next shift.

Walk me through how you mix paint to spec. What do you check before you start spraying?

What they are checking: Attention to mix ratios, pot life and batch details that decide whether the finish holds up.

Painting means working with chemicals, respirators and booth safety rules. Tell me about the safety gear you have worn and how you make sure it fits and works.

What they are checking: Whether they take respiratory and chemical safety seriously every day and not just when someone is watching.

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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. Bldg LL - East Peoria - Supplemental Pay is $23.22 hour with an additional $1.00 hr shift differential Shift: 2nd- M-F 2:00 pm-10:00 pm; 3rd- Su-Th 10:00 pm- 6:00 am We are seeking motivated Painters to join our team at the East Peoria Building LL facility , supporting our D10 and D11 Prime Products operations. In this role, you will help ensure our equipment meets quality standards through professional paint application and equipment maintenance. Job Duties/Responsibilities may include, but are not limited to: · • Apply finish paint to prime products and transportation equipment in accordance with quality standards. • Maintain high-quality paint finishes that are free from runs, sags, and other defects. • Inspect, test, clean, repair, and service spray guns and other painting equipment. • Mix paint and maintain an adequate supply of materials for paint booth operations. • Follow established safety, quality, and production procedures. Physical Qualifications (With or Without Accommodation) • Ability to stand for the duration of an 8-hour shift with limited breaks. • Flexibility to work various shifts and schedules, including nights and weekends, as needed. • Ability to work in environments with changing temperatures and varying weather conditions. • Basic computer skills to access and navigate the Cat Intranet. Basic Qualifications: • Minimum of 6 months of experience in a manufacturing, warehouse, paint shop, or similar industrial environment. Desired Qualifications: • Automotive paint shop experience. • Production painting experience in a manufacturing environment. Additional Information: • 2nd shift (M-F 2:00 pm - 10:00 pm) • 3rd shift (Su-Th 10:00 pm- 6:00 am) • Training will be done on 1st shift (M_F 6:00 am-2:00 pm) • ​ Pay is $23.22 hour - plus a $1.00 hour off shift premium • This is a Supplemental position- minimum 40 hours per week with limited benefits available • Supplemental employees will receive up to 40 hours of paid time off • The position is located in Building LL in East Peoria • Must be able to work any shift - working hours may change with business needs. • Relocation assistance is not offered for this position • Safety is a core value at Caterpillar. We owe it to our employees and families to work in a safe and secure workplace. All candidates for employment must successfully pass a preemployment drug screen held to the DOT standards for prohibited substances. Please ensure you frequently check the e-mail account you provided on your application, including the junk/spam folder, as this is the primary correspondence method in our recruiting process. Caterpillar is not currently hiring foreign national applicants that require or will require sponsorship tied to a specific employer, such as H, L, TN, F, J, E, O. As a global company, Caterpillar offers many job opportunities outside of the U.S. which can be found through our employment website at www.caterpillar.com/careers 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: 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 2, 2026 - November 2, 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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