Machining Technician - Bevel Gears

Caterpillar Inc.•East Peoria, IL

9d•$72,360 - $108,540•Onsite

About The Position

Caterpillar is hiring multiple Machining Technicians to support bevel gear operations at its East Peoria Building KK facility. The role provides flexible machining support across the business and serves as a technical resource for employees, helping maintain safe, consistent production across multiple machines and work areas. The technician supports onboarding and skill development, reinforces standardized work, shares machining knowledge and best practices, and may support enterprise capabilities inside and outside Caterpillar. The successful candidate is an experienced machinist who can adapt to changing assignments, communicate effectively, and help build the skills and confidence of others. The role works collaboratively with operations leadership and manufacturing engineering, quality, maintenance, tooling, and other support functions. It is an individual-contributor position with leadership expectations through technical expertise and positive influence, but no direct reports. The position is onsite five days a week in East Peoria, Illinois; travel may be required up to 25%. Openings are available on second and third shifts. Sponsorship and relocation are not available.

Requirements

High school diploma, GED, or equivalent.
Five or more years of machining experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Knowledge of proper machining equipment setup and operation.
Ability to read blueprints, understand geometric dimensioning and tolerancing, and interpret manufacturing specifications.
Proficiency with precision measuring instruments and inspection methods.
Demonstrated troubleshooting and problem-solving ability.
Strong verbal and written communication skills.
Ability to teach technical information clearly, patiently, and practically.
Ability and willingness to work across different areas, departments, and schedules based on operational needs.
Consistent record of safe work practices, quality performance, reliability, and teamwork.
Basic computer skills and ability to complete electronic training and production documentation.

Nice To Haves

Bevel gear experience.
Completed apprenticeship, technical degree, or recognized machining certification.
Experience operating multiple machine types, including gear hobbing, shaping, or grinding, or experience across several machining processes.
Experience training, mentoring, or onboarding employees in a machining environment.
Experience in a high-mix, low-volume machining operation.
Knowledge of lean manufacturing, standardized work, root cause analysis, and continuous improvement methods.
Familiarity with learning management systems, qualification tracking, or formal on-the-job training programs.

Responsibilities

Read and interpret blueprints, engineering drawings, work instructions, process documentation, and specifications.
Use appropriate tooling, fixtures, gauges, and precision measuring equipment.
Verify that completed parts meet dimensional, quality, and workmanship requirements.
Suggest approved machine adjustments and troubleshoot routine machining, tooling, and process issues.
Support production priorities and move between assignments as business needs change.
Collaborate with operations leadership, manufacturing engineering, quality, maintenance, tooling, and other support functions.
Identify and promptly communicate safety, quality, equipment, tooling, or process concerns.
Participate in continuous improvement focused on safety, quality, delivery, cost, and productivity.
Apply CNC programming, machining-process, and machine-control knowledge to optimize performance, troubleshoot issues, and adjust machining parameters to maintain quality and throughput.
Support the integration and operation of automated machining cells, including CNC equipment, robotics, sensors, and material-handling systems.
Provide technical guidance on machining processes, equipment operation, safety, quality requirements, and standardized work.
Provide structured, hands-on instruction using approved training materials and processes.
Teach proper machine setup, operation, inspection, material handling, and documentation practices.
Reinforce safe work practices, quality standards, and established operating procedures.
Evaluate employee understanding through observation, demonstration, and established qualification methods.
Document training progress, completed qualifications, skill gaps, and development needs.
Give timely, respectful, and constructive feedback, adapting training methods to different experience levels and learning styles.
Partner with operations leadership to develop training plans and prioritize qualification needs.
Assist with cross-training employees and recommend improvements to training materials, work instructions, and qualification processes.
Follow company safety policies, procedures, and personal protective equipment requirements, including safe machine operation, lockout/tagout, and machine guarding requirements.
Stop work and escalate conditions that could create a safety or quality risk; promote accountability, hazard recognition, and defect prevention.
Ensure training and production follow approved processes and quality controls, and maintain a clean, organized, safe work area.
Support enterprise constraints inside and outside Caterpillar.
Model company values, treat employees consistently and respectfully, build trust, communicate across shifts and organizational levels, maintain confidentiality, and exercise sound judgment.
Refer performance or behavioral concerns to the appropriate supervisor rather than independently administering discipline, and support a positive, inclusive, team-oriented work environment.