Military SkillBridge Fellow – Heavy Equipment Mechanic

Caterpillar Inc.•Green Valley, AZ

6d•Onsite

About The Position

Caterpillar’s Department of Defense SkillBridge fellowship, delivered in partnership with Hiring Our Heroes, gives eligible active-duty service members hands-on experience supporting mining and construction equipment. Fellows work alongside experienced technicians, engineers, and equipment specialists, applying technical expertise developed through military service in an industrial environment and building skills relevant to future civilian career opportunities. The fellow supports maintenance, assembly, disassembly, repair, troubleshooting, testing, inspection, and reliability activities for heavy equipment and machine components. Work may take place in shop and field environments and may involve mechanical, hydraulic, electrical, or electronic systems. The fellow evaluates machine performance, documents findings, communicates recommendations to technical teams, and collaborates with mechanics, engineers, operators, and logistics personnel. The fellowship is based at Caterpillar’s Tucson Proving Ground in Green Valley, Arizona, and is onsite five days per week. Relocation and visa sponsorship are not available. Travel may be up to 10%. Participation requires SkillBridge eligibility and military command approval for a 30–120 day fellowship. Applicants must submit a resume and cover letter describing their military transition timeline and SkillBridge approval status; applications without the required cover letter information will not be considered.

Requirements

Be an active-duty military service member eligible for the DoD SkillBridge Program.
Have approval from the military chain of command to participate in a 30–120 day SkillBridge fellowship.
Have experience maintaining, troubleshooting, repairing, or supporting complex equipment, vehicles, mechanical systems, or electronic systems.
Be able to diagnose issues, analyze failures, and develop effective technical solutions.
Have a strong understanding of mechanical, hydraulic, electrical, or electronic systems and how they interact.
Be able to execute tasks safely, efficiently, and with attention to detail in high-consequence environments.
Have experience working in a team, coordinating across functions, and communicating technical information clearly.
Be able to learn new technologies, processes, and equipment while working in dynamic environments.
Submit a resume and cover letter outlining the military transition timeline and SkillBridge approval status; applications without this cover letter information will not be considered.

Nice To Haves

Experience maintaining and repairing Caterpillar mining or construction equipment.
Strong knowledge across multiple machine systems, such as structures, engines, powertrain systems, hydraulics and pneumatics, electrical and electronic systems, or undercarriage systems.

Responsibilities

Perform maintenance, assembly, disassembly, and repair activities on heavy equipment and machine components.
Apply troubleshooting and diagnostic techniques to identify mechanical, hydraulic, electrical, or electronic system issues.
Support equipment testing, inspections, and reliability initiatives.
Assist with equipment repairs and technical support activities in shop and field environments.
Evaluate machine performance and identify opportunities for improvement.
Document findings and communicate recommendations to engineering and technical teams.
Work with cross-functional teams, including mechanics, engineers, operators, and logistics personnel.

Benefits

Medical, dental, and vision benefits, subject to plan eligibility, terms, and guidelines.
Paid time off, including vacation, holidays, and volunteer time.
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.