Machining Technician

Caterpillar•East Peoria, IL

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Caterpillar is hiring multiple Machining Technicians to support its operations in East Peoria, Illinois. The Machining Technician 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 role supports employee onboarding and skill development, reinforces standardized work, shares machining knowledge and best practices, and supports enterprise capabilities inside and outside Caterpillar. The successful candidate is an experienced machinist who adapts quickly, communicates effectively, and helps build the skills and confidence of others. The position provides machining and production support, verifies parts meet dimensional and quality requirements, troubleshoots routine machining issues, and applies CNC and automation knowledge to support production performance. It also includes hands-on employee instruction, qualification tracking, constructive feedback, and collaboration with operations leadership to develop training plans. The technician reinforces safety and quality expectations and demonstrates leadership through technical expertise and positive influence, but does not have direct reports. The role is onsite five days a week. Travel may be required up to 25%. Sponsorship and relocation are not available. The stated summary pay range is $72,360 to $108,540. Employment offers are conditioned on successful completion of a drug screen.

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 setup and operation of machining equipment.
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

Completed apprenticeship, technical degree, or recognized machining certification.
Experience operating multiple machine types, including gear hobbing, shaping, or grinding, or working 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 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 activities focused on safety, quality, delivery, cost, and productivity.
Apply CNC programming, machining process, and machine control knowledge to optimize production performance, troubleshoot process 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 and structured hands-on instruction on machining processes, equipment operation, safety, quality, and standardized work.
Teach proper machine setup, operation, inspection, material handling, and documentation practices.
Evaluate employee understanding through observation, demonstration, and established qualification methods.
Document training progress, completed qualifications, skill gaps, and development needs.
Provide timely, respectful, constructive feedback and adjust training methods for different experience levels and learning styles.
Partner with operations leadership to develop training plans and prioritize qualification needs.
Assist with cross-training experienced employees and recommend improvements to training materials, work instructions, and qualification processes.
Reinforce safe work practices, quality standards, and established operating procedures.
Follow company safety policies and PPE requirements, including lockout/tagout and machine guarding requirements.
Stop work and escalate conditions that could create safety or quality risks.
Promote personal accountability, hazard recognition, and defect prevention.
Maintain a clean, organized, and safe work area.
Support enterprise constraints inside and outside Caterpillar.
Model company values, communicate clearly across shifts and departments, maintain confidentiality, and support a positive, inclusive, team-oriented work environment.