Career Area:
Operations
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This position is for entry level painters who are able to learn the necessary procedures relating to the Paint Department. Painter I works under the guidance of experienced and senior level painters to gain experience in the relevant areas.
What you will do:
Painter I primarily performs cleaning of parts prior to painting, masking, paint preparation, and after proper training performs industrial epoxy painting on simple parts.
Cleans, sands, grit blasts, masks, and performs other surface preparations prior to paint application. Applies paint to all specified tolerances in all areas. Removes masking and cleans parts prior to further manufacturing processing.
Sets up and operates necessary equipment following established procedures, specifications, oral and/or written instructions.
Performs other protective coating processing.
Maintain material records and order coating materials to sustain established inventory levels.
Aid in the instruction of other Solar Turbines personnel in corrosion resistant inorganic aluminum water-based coating operations.
Committed to sustain and improve safety and able to work with Environmental, Health and Safety Department.
Principal Functions
• Parts masking – tools and tape
• Sand blasting
• Painting – Solar Grey
• Priming
• Paint preparation
Tools/Equipment & Technologies
• Sand Blasting booth
• Painting booth
• Lifting tables, various small equipment & tools
• Equipment at paint preparation room
Work Environment
• Shop floor – painting room, Preparation room, Paint prep room
• Sand blasting – noise, dust, labor intensive
• Preparing parts for painting, preparing the paint booth, and completing paint activities.
What you will have:
Apprenticed painter; 0-2 years’ experience.
Some experience required with painting (airless, HVLP HP) or sandblasting.
Must be able to attain medical clearance, certification on different forklifts, and overhead cranes.
High School Diploma, GED or equivalent required.
Must be able to take coaching and feedback from senior peers and team lead to continue to improve performance and quality.
Adhere to company HSSE policies
What will set you apart:
Prior exposure and experience in a Solar Turbines manufacturing environment
Prior experience with Turbine engines and packages
Pay Range:
$45,809.00 - $68,713.00
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
This position requires working onsite five days a week.Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position.
Posting Dates:
June 30, 2026 - July 13, 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.
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Headquartered in San Diego, California, USA, Solar Turbines Incorporated, a subsidiary of Caterpillar Inc., is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of industrial gas turbines, with more than 16,000 units and over 3 billion operating hours in over 100 countries. Products from Solar Turbines play an important role in the development of oil, natural gas and power generation projects around the world. Solar Turbines’ products include gas turbine engines (rated from 1,590 to 52,500 horsepower), gas compressors, and gas turbine-powered compressor sets, mechanical-drive packages and generator sets (ranging from 1 to 39 megawatts). Solar’s customers put the company’s products to work in many areas including production, processing and pipeline transmission of natural gas and crude oil and generation of electricity and thermal energy for processing applications, such as manufacturing chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and food products.
Solar’s foundation is people and Solar’s culture is one where individual contributions are valued, diversity in the workplace is encouraged, and safety is emphasized in all aspects of the business. Solar Turbines, founded in 1927, is comprised of a dedicated and multi-talented workforce of more than 8,000 employees with decades of experience working as a global team.