Preventative Maintenance Technician- 2nd & 3rd Shift
Caterpillar · Lafayette, IN
- Level
- Technician
- Team
- Reliability
- Industry
- Industrial
- Posted
- 30+ days ago
The role in 30 seconds
A technician-level reliability role at Caterpillar (industrial) in Lafayette, IN. In this role you will have the responsibility to perform preventive maintenance and lubrication on machines and equipment in the machine shop.
- Tools it names
- Robotics, CNC, Welding
- Day to day
- some off-shift / weekend coverage · relocation help
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of October 19, 2026
Maintenance Technician roles in the US: typical posted base $58k–$84k.
Median of the low and high ends of 37 live postings that list pay, out of 1616 maintenance technician openings in the US, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
Indiana plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 68 other live reliability postings in Indiana.
- Experience asked
- Not stated
Similar roles usually ask 4+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- PLC 52%
- Team leadership 48%
- ✓ Welding 39%
- Root cause 22%
- ✓ Robotics 20%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
Stands out: this posting asks for CNC, which few similar roles mention. If you have it, lead with it.
At a glance
Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.
How to get in at this plant
Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.
- 1
Pick 2–3 people on the Reliability team at Caterpillar
Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. Use the team search on this page to find them.
- 2
Send a short, curious note
One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.
- 3
Turn a reply into a short call
Questions worth asking about this team:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- How does off-shift and weekend coverage work?
- How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
- 4
Apply with someone vouching for you
If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.
- 5
Bring proof to the interview
One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.
This plant: Caterpillar in Lafayette
2 other open roles at this site.
- Manufacturing Engineer - Test Cells · Manufacturing
- Facilities Engineer - Electrical · Reliability
Full description from CaterpillarAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Job Duties/Responsibilities may include, but are not limited to
- ◆Primary area of focus for the Preventative Maintenance Technician will be in the service level for the chip and coolant handling systems.
- ◆Candidate will also provide assistance to the Machine Repairmen to accomplish various “two persons” tasks on equipment in the facility.
- ◆Candidate will autonomously perform minor mechanical repairs and process duties such as unplugging sluices, replacing way wipers, piping, and elimination of air, coolant, and hydraulic leaks.
This solicitation is NOT for a mechanical apprenticeship program.
Basic
Qualifications
- ✓Must have through understanding and possess basic welding and cutting skill, lubrication principles, and pipefitting.
- ✓Must have previous experience with preventive maintenance in an industrial environment on CNC machine tools, conveyors, robots, and/or coolant systems.
- ✓Basic electrical and print reading will be required along with a thorough understanding of the basic knowledge of hydraulics, pneumatics, lubrication, systems, and welding skills.
Requirements
- ✓Must be able to work at heights, climb ladders, work underground, and in confined spaces.
- ✓Candidates for all positions must have the ability to work in a fast pace, medium to heavy duty assembly, and technical environment.
- ✓Work may involve frequent bending, stooping, and kneeling, twisting, turning, climbing, and standing on concrete for 8+ hours.
- ✓Must be able to lift 40 pounds
Please ensure you frequently check the e-mail account you provided on your application, including the junk/spam folder, as this is the primary correspondence method in our recruiting process.
Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position.
#LI
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Career Area
Operations
Job Description
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.
Preventative Maintenance Technician- 2nd & 3rd Shift
$2,500 Sign On Bonus - $30.28/hour + 6 % Shift Premium
Location: Lafayette, Indiana
Medical/Dental/Vision/Life Insurance, Incentives/Bonus Opportunities, Matching 401k, available first day of employment. www.caterpillar.com/careers : Apply online and create a candidate account.
Caterpillar - build what matters
What matters most to you? Is it being part of a strong team? Supporting your family? Solving global problems? You can do these and more at Caterpillar; where your work enables progress around the globe, and you contribute to meaningful work. Together, we can build what matters!
The Large Power Systems Division in Lafayette, IN currently has openings for Preventative Maintenance Technicians . In this role you will have the responsibility to perform preventive maintenance and lubrication on machines and equipment in the machine shop. One of the primary areas of focus for the Preventative Maintenance Technician will be in the service level for the chip and coolant handling systems. The Preventative Maintenance Technician will also provide assistance to the Machine Repairmen to accomplish various “two persons” tasks on equipment in the facility. This individual will autonomously perform minor mechanical repairs and process duties such as unplugging sluices, replacing way wipers, piping, and elimination of air, coolant, and hydraulic leaks.
Additional Information
- •Location of this position is in Lafayette, IN
- •Starting hourly pay range of $30.28-$38.52 plus 6% premium for off shift. Higher rates offered based on experience.
- •Positions available on 2nd shift 3:30pm-11:30pm & 3rd shift 11:30pm-7:30am
- •Relocation assistance is not available for this position. Any relocation costs incurred would be the responsibility of the selected candidate
- •Climate controlled work environment – most areas
- •Clean/safe work environment
- •40-hour work weeks with potential for Overtime
- •13 days/104 hours of paid Personal Time Off (PTO) - (Prorated based upon start date)
- •11 Paid holidays
- •Please attach an updated resume
Top Candidates will also
- •Work large amounts of overtime opportunities to support production demands.
- •Possess and show strong interpersonal skills, self-motivation and apply customer-based focus.
Physical
Summary Pay Range
$30.28 - $38.52
Benefits
Subject to plan eligibility, terms, and guidelines. This is a summary list of benefits.
- •Medical, dental, and vision benefits*
- •Paid time off plan (Vacation, Holidays, Volunteer, etc.)*
- •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
- •These benefits also apply to part-time employees
Posting Dates
September 2, 2026 - December 1, 2026
Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the successful completion of a drug screen.
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