Manufacturing Technician II​/Mechanic

Job Description

When you join Caterpillar, you're joining a global team that cares not just about the work we do, but also about each other. We are the makers, problem solvers, and future world builders, creating stronger and more sustainable communities. We don’t just talk about progress and innovation – we make it happen with our customers, where we work and live. Together, we are building a better world for everyone to enjoy.

Career Area:
Operations

This is a mid‑level manufacturing position on the hex bucket line at the Caterpillar Work Tools facility in Waco, TX. The hex bucket line consists of seven manufacturing cells: first operations, side plate, hinge top, cutting edge, bucket assembly, bucket welding, and paint. Employees in this position will be expected to perform duties in two to three of the primary work cells.

• Unload trucks and/or rail cars loaded with steel plate and ensure accurate inventory.
• Move materials through blasting operations to storage by operating forklift, plate de‑scaling machine, and overhead cranes.
• Review manufacturing orders, checking for cutting operations and material requirements.
• Nest required part profiles onto appropriate material types, move cutting machine to material, and square on plate.
• Operate CNC cutting machines using plasma or oxy‑fuel to cut parts, adjusting machine settings as needed to achieve a quality part.
• Remove parts from the cutting table with cranes, magnets, or by hand.
• Clean cut parts and place them on the correct cart for delivery to the next cell.
• Cut‑to‑shape steel parts using a CNC machining center, fit parts together with a fixture, tack weld, operate a robot welding system, and finish welding sub‑assemblies to given print tolerances.
• Select, align, and secure holding fixtures, cutting tools, attachments, accessories, and materials on a vertical milling machine.
• Calculate and set controls to regulate machining factors such as speed, feed, coolant flow, and depth and angle of cut, or enter commands to retrieve, input, or edit machine control media.
• Start and observe milling or drilling operations to detect malfunctions or out‑of‑tolerance machining, and adjust machine controls as required.
• Follow set‑up guidelines and procedures to assemble and tack weld units using various tools and fixtures.
• Place parts into holding fixtures for robot welding, start and observe robot welding operations to detect malfunctions or out‑of‑tolerance welding, and adjust controls or program as required.
• Set the weld machine to the correct setting for the weld application, and finish welds to print specifications following guidelines and procedures.
• Use air arc and grinder to remove or repair unacceptable welds to meet quality guidelines.
• Inspect welds and check critical measurements upon completion to ensure they meet specifications and criteria.

• 1‑year certificate from college or technical school and 1‑2 years related experience and/or training, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Read and understand manufacturing prints.
• Safely use overhead lifting devices.
• Operate forklifts.
• Knowledge of quality standards and tolerances.
• Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos.
• Ability to write simple correspondence.
• Ability to effectively present information in one‑on‑one and small group situations to other employees of the organization.
• Basic arithmetic skills, including addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and working with units of measure.
• Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent, and to draw and interpret bar graphs.
• Apply common sense in carrying out detailed but uncomplicated written or oral instructions.
• Deal with problems involving a few concrete variables in standardized situations.
• Regularly required to stand, use hands, fingers, and arms, and to climb or balance.
• Occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, and to lift/move up to 50 pounds.

• Previous manufacturing experience.

$19.21 – $28.81 per hour.

• 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

Posting Dates:
July 14, 2026 – July 28, 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.