Industrial Paint Specialist - 3rd Shift

Career Area:

Operations

Job Description:

Your Work Shapes the World at Caterpillar Inc.

Location: South Milwaukee, WI

Shifts: 3rd Shift (11pm-7am)

Bonus: $2,000 Sign-On Bonus

Pay Progression:

• Step 1: $27.93/hr
• Step 2: $29.09/hr
• Step 3: $30.26/hr
• Shift Premium: +$1.00/hr for 2nd/3rd shift

Caterpillar is hiring a Paint Specialist to support manufacturing operations at our South Milwaukee, WI facility. In this role, you will prepare and apply industrial coatings to parts, sub‑assemblies, and complete machines—ensuring quality, durability, and visual standards are consistently met. You’ll work in a production environment using spray equipment, paint mixing/viscosity adjustment, masking/decals, and material handling tools to deliver finished components that meet specification.

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 who are creating stronger, 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, so we can all enjoy living in it.

At our South Milwaukee facility, you’ll help build some of the largest and most powerful mining machines in the world
, including Cat® Electric Rope Shovels (ERS) used in mining operations globally.

• Prepare, prime, and paint parts, sub‑assemblies, and complete machines (prime and finish coats)
• Operate spray booths and maintain paint vault equipment
• Operate shot blast equipment to clean materials prior to painting
• Mix paints and adjust viscosity using thinners or heat as required
• Apply coatings evenly using spray guns or hand brushes, maintaining correct stroke, spray pattern, nozzle adjustment, and air pressure
• Apply decals and masking to meet quality standards
• Position work manually or using jib/overhead cranes
• Maintain cleanliness of paint areas, tools, and equipment

• 2+ years of industrial painting experience
  , including prime and finish coats
• Previous paint experience in a manufacturing environment
• Ability to determine proper sequence of operations and follow standard work instructions
• Proven ability to apply coatings evenly using spray equipment or hand brushes
• Experience operating shot blast equipment and positioning work manually or with jib/overhead cranes
• Knowledge of safety, quality, and inspection requirements in a paint environment

• Experience applying coatings on large components (frames, booms, cabs, etc.)
• Strong attention to detail and adherence to quality standards
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Willingness to work overtime as needed to meet production demands
• Experience cleaning and preparing parts using wire brushes, scrapers, solvents, and masking materials
• Proficiency mixing paints and adjusting viscosity for proper application

• Full‑time position, 40 hours/week
• No relocation assistance available
• Pre‑employment drug screen and medical evaluation required

Join a company that values your skills, supports your growth, and rewards your hard work.

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

Summary Pay Range:

Compensation and benefits offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, job level, market location, job-related knowledge, skills, individual performance and experience.…