Paint Apprentice

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.

Your Work Shapes Our World

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. Join us.

Want to build YOUR career?! LOOK at Caterpillar! We are looking for candidates just like you that want to build more than machines.  This is a terrific opportunity to join the Caterpillar North Little Rock, AR team as a Paint Apprentice on our 2nd shift team earning day ONE benefits!

This position works under general supervision to assemble/test parts, components, or systems for wheel loaders and motor graders according to the specified work orders. This position is for the assembly line at the North Little Rock, AR site.

Pay Rate and Schedule:

• Position includes a wage of $21.75/hour + Shift Differential and a comprehensive benefit program

• Openings available on 2nd shift: Monday – Friday 3 p.m. - 11 p.m. Overtime opportunities may be available on a voluntary basis based on business needs and with leader prior authorization

In this role, you will:

• Participates in the identification and implementation of Lean Principles; Understand, Identify and Eliminate Wastes.
• Training within multiple operations in their assigned area to maximize the area’s ability to respond to changing needs.
• Load, Masking, Seam Seal, Paint Application, Demask & Unloading Structures from the Paint Line
• Participate in process troubleshooting and help to determine root cause.
• Provide process feedback and improvement ideas through Continuous Improvement Cards.
• Safely perform sanding operations following standard work instructions.
• Properly identify paint defects according engineering specifications
• Properly identify metal substrate defects according to engineering specifications
• Properly mix paint according to engineering specified mix ratios
• Paints parts using liquid and/or powder application and follows proper painting techniques
• Properly adjust/maintain equipment, to achieve highest safety, velocity, and quality standards

What you will have:

• High School diploma or equivalent
• Willingness and ability to sit or stand for prolonged periods
• Willingness and ability to adapt to various operations
• Willingness and ability to lift up to 35 lbs.

Top Candidates will also have:  

• Minimum One (1) year of experience with:
  • Liquid Paint Application Process and/or
  • Powder Paint Application Process and/or
  • Paint Masking, Seam Seal & Touch-up
• Paint Application Certification
• Ability to Work Safely & Wear Required Personal Protective Equipment
• Ability to Follow Standard Work Instructions
• Ability to Work Overtime to Support Production Demands

Physical Job Requirements – Production: 

• Constantly stands on concrete floors while retrieving parts/tools and completing tasks at assigned workstation. Walks on concrete floors while retrieving parts/tools from distances of a few feet to approximately 80 feet; frequently to constantly throughout the shift.  
• Sits on scooter or creeper (close to floor) on occasional basis to position body under the machine or at the bottom of the part or machine.  
• Kneels on an occasional basis to position body under at the bottom of the part or machine 
• Squats on a frequent basis to lift material/tools from a cart to the point of operation. Employee may need to remain in a static squatted position for a few minutes at a time on an occasional basis.  
• Climbs up and down stairs, platforms, and ladders on an occasional basis up to a height of 15 feet.  
• May rotate and bend at the waist while reaching into storage bins and positioning body in front of the machine/part on an occasional basis.  
• Reaches with hands/arms in any direction from approximately 3 inches off the floor to overhead range on a frequent basis in any direction. On an occasional basis, the employee may need to hold in a static position with sustained reaching to the waist to head range while pushing or pulling up to 70 lbs to achieve the proper level of torque.  
• Frequently lifts, up to 10-15 lbs. throughout the shift. Occasionally lifts, up to 25 lbs; On a rare basis, the employee might lift, up to 35 lbs. On an occasional basis, the employee may need to hold in a static position with sustained reaching to the waist to head range while holding 10-15 lbs. 
• Frequently operates heavy equipment or machinery.  
• Frequently bends the neck forward. Occasionally twists the neck, tilts the neck sideways or extends the neck to look in different directions. On a rare basis, the employee may have to hold their neck in a static position for a few minutes at a time.    
• Handling: Seizing, holding, grasping, turning, or otherwise working with the hand or hands, constantly with a light to moderate grip. Occasionally, a forceful grip maybe needed to assemble parts into the correct position.  
• Occasional exposure to vibration tools 
• Occasionally uses fingers to operate computer and frequently uses fingers to operate hoist controls 

Additional Information:   

• Overtime is available, based on business need.

• You’ll have the opportunity for pay increases annually based on performance.
• You’ll have the opportunity for a quarterly bonus.
• Day One Benefits! We offer a total rewards package that provides medical, dental, vision, RX, and 401K for all employees.
• Additional benefits include paid vacation days, holidays, personal time off (PTO) and a paid volunteer day (prorated based upon hire date).
• If interested, opportunity to transfer to first shift is based on performance, attendance, and business need after 6 months.
• Potential to advance your career into operations leadership and other advanced manufacturing jobs.
• Safety is a top priority. We provide all personal protective equipment:
  • Painter’s Helmet & Protective Clothing
  • Metatarsal guard steel-toe boots,
  • Safety glasses & hearing protection
  • Uniform Shirts and Pants.

All eligible candidates MUST pass the following pre-employment screenings before they can be hired to Caterpillar:

• Background Screening
• Drug Screening
• Post-Offer Medical Questionnaire (clearance from Corporate Medical)

What you will get:

Our goal at Caterpillar is for YOU to have a rewarding career. Here you earn more than just an hourly wage because we value your performance, we offer a total rewards package that provides DAY ONE benefits (medical, dental, vision, RX, and 401K). Additional benefits include paid holidays and paid time off (prorated based upon hire date).

Final details
Resumes (Most recent) are highly encouraged. Please do not submit a blank application (no work history or resume attached) as this may lead to disqualification. Please frequently check the email associated with your application, including the junk/spam folder, as this is the primary correspondence method. If you wish to know the status of your application – please use the candidate log-in (Be sure to keep your username and password when you initially apply) on our career website as it will reflect any updates to your status.

This employer is not currently hiring foreign national applicants that require or will require sponsorship tied to a specific employer, such as H, L, TN, F, J, E, O

Not ready to apply? Submit your information to our Talent Network here .

Summary Pay Range:

$21.75 - $27.30

Compensation and benefits offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, job level, market location, job-related knowledge, skills, individual performance and experience. Please note that salary is only one component of total compensation at Caterpillar. 

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:

November 6, 2026 - November 12, 2026

Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the successful completion of a drug screen.

Caterpillar is an Equal Opportunity Employer, Including Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities.  Qualified applicants of any age are encouraged to apply.

Not ready to apply? Join our Talent Community.