FCAW Welding Instructor / Trainer

Caterpillar Inc.•South Milwaukee, WI

2d•$81,370 - $122,060•Onsite

About The Position

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. FCAW Welding Instructor / Trainer - 1st Shift (7am to 3pm) Location: South Milwaukee, Wisconsin Pay Range: $81,370 - $122,060 Benefits: Effective Day One Relocation: Assistance is Available Work Authorization Sponsorship: Not Available Job Summary We're looking for a welding mentor, coach, and instructor who is passionate about developing the next generation of FCAW welders. The ideal candidate enjoys teaching as much as welding and takes pride in helping others improve their skills, confidence, and quality performance. This position is approximately 50% welding expertise and 50% people development. The most successful trainers are patient coaches who enjoy helping others learn and grow. You will partner closely with operations leadership, lead welders, and Talent Acquisition to assess skills, support hiring decisions, and improve training effectiveness. This is a high-impact, visible role that directly influences quality, safety, and operational performance.

Requirements

Problem Solving: Ability to recognize, anticipate, and resolve organizational, operational, or process-related issues; applies structured problem-solving approaches in diverse situations.
Collaborating: Ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams, including operations, leadership, and HR partners, in a constructive and team-oriented manner.
Training Needs Analysis: Ability to assess skill gaps and identify learning priorities required for both individual and organizational performance.
Training Operations: Understanding of training processes and ability to execute daily training activities, programs, and documentation to ensure effective delivery.
Training Solution Development: Ability to design and implement practical training solutions that address identified needs and improve workforce capability.
Training Evaluation: Ability to assess the effectiveness of training programs using appropriate tools, metrics, and feedback, and continuously improve outcomes.

Nice To Haves

Experience teaching, training, mentoring, or developing welders in an industrial, educational, apprenticeship, military, or union environment
Hands-on FCAW training experience
Experience teaching FCAW in a school, apprenticeship, union, military, or manufacturing environment
AWS Certified Welding Educator (CWE) or similar training credentials
Experience evaluating weld tests and coaching individuals through skill development
Experience creating training materials, lesson plans, or qualification programs
Enjoy teaching and coaching others
Are patient and approachable when working with new welders
Take pride in seeing others succeed
Can explain welding concepts in multiple ways
Naturally build trust and credibility on the shop floor
Are comfortable giving constructive feedback

Responsibilities

Deliver hands-on training for new hires and current employees, focusing on production welding skills, techniques, and quality standards
Assess welding skill levels, identify gaps, and develop targeted training plans to improve performance
Evaluate weld quality and defects, providing coaching and corrective guidance to improve outcomes
Collaborate with lead welders, supervisors, and cross-functional partners to align training with production needs
Support continuous improvement by refining training programs, processes, and evaluation methods
Track and document training progress, ensuring accuracy of records and data for operational use
Contribute to a safe, efficient, and high-quality shop environment through consistent training and best practices