Green Card Assembly Specialist Jobs
Assembly Specialist jobs with green card sponsorship follow the EB-3 skilled worker path: your employer files PERM labor certification with the Department of Labor, then an I-140 petition with USCIS, before you adjust status or complete consular processing to reach lawful permanent residency. Priority-date backlogs vary by country of birth.
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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.
Caterpillar | Decatur, IL
Pay: Starting at $23.22/hour + $1.00/hour shift premium
Shift: 2nd Shift (2:00 PM – 10:00 PM)
Job Type: Full-Time, Regular
Industry: Manufacturing / Heavy Equipment
Benefits: Effective Day 1
Job Description Summary
Caterpillar is hiring Production Assemblers for our Assembly & Test operations on 2nd shift at our Decatur, Illinois facility. In this full-time, regular role, you will assemble, test, and prepare heavy equipment components in a safety-focused manufacturing environment. This position offers stable hours, competitive pay, and full Caterpillar benefits starting on your first day of employment. Successful candidates bring hands-on manufacturing experience, strong teamwork skills, and a commitment to quality and safety.
Join a global manufacturing leader and help build the equipment that powers industries around the world.
Key Responsibilities
- Assemble, test, rework, and repair heavy machinery components and assemblies
- Disassemble and reassemble complex components to repair or replace parts
- Operate test equipment and remote-controlled cranes to position materials
- Prepare completed products and attachments for shipment
- Use hand tools and pneumatic (air) tools to complete assembly tasks
- Read and interpret technical drawings, blueprints, and 2D/3D schematics
- Maintain a clean and organized work area following 5S standards
- Follow all safety, quality, and operational procedures
Required Qualifications
- Minimum 2 years of experience in a manufacturing, industrial, or assembly environment
- Recent experience working in a manufacturing environment with regular shifts and defined operational expectations
- Ability to work at heights of up to 20 feet using ladders or lifts, in accordance with safety requirements
- Ability to safely use hand tools and pneumatic (air) tools
- Intermediate computer skills, including data entry and basic system navigation
- Demonstrated problem-solving skills in a production or industrial setting
- Ability to read and interpret technical drawings, blueprints, and 2D/3D schematics
- Working knowledge of 5S workplace organization principles or similar lean practices
- Demonstrated ability to maintain regular and reliable attendance
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively as part of a team in a production environment
- Strong communication skills
- Demonstrated commitment to safety
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with heavy equipment or large-scale industrial assemblies
- Familiarity with standard and metric measurement systems
- Overhead crane operation experience
- Forklift certification
Compensation & Benefits
- Starting Pay: $23.22/hour + $1.00/hour shift premium
- Schedule: 40 hours per week with overtime paid at 1.5x for hours over 40
- Benefits Starting Day One:
- Medical, dental, and vision coverage
- Paid lunch period
- Automatic wage increases every 26 weeks (or sooner based on performance)
- Annual market-based pay adjustments
Summary Pay Range:
$0.00 - $0.00
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
Posting Dates:
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.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Green Card Sponsorship as an Assembly Specialist
Align your credentials with EB-3 requirements
EB-3 skilled worker classification requires at least two years of training or experience in assembly, production, or a closely related field. Gather employment records, performance reviews, and supervisor letters that document your hands-on experience before approaching any employer.
Target manufacturers with established PERM history
Search Migrate Mate to find manufacturers and production facilities that have sponsored green cards for assembly roles. Employers with prior PERM filings already know the recruitment-test requirements, which speeds up the process for you.
Verify prevailing wage using OFLC Wage Search
Your employer must pay the DOL-determined prevailing wage for your Assembly Specialist role and work location before PERM is filed. Use OFLC Wage Search to look up the wage level for your SOC code and region so you can confirm any offer meets this floor.
Understand what PERM recruitment tests mean for your offer timeline
Before your employer files PERM, DOL requires them to complete a formal recruitment test proving no qualified U.S. workers are available. This process typically takes several months, so get written confirmation from your employer that they're prepared to run it.
Check your priority date against the Visa Bulletin before accepting
Once your I-140 is approved, your priority date determines when you can adjust status or complete consular processing. Nationals of countries like India and China can face multi-year backlogs even in EB-3, so verify the current Visa Bulletin cutoff dates with USCIS before committing.
Use AC21 portability if you change employers mid-process
If your I-485 adjustment-of-status application has been pending 180 days or more, AC21 lets you change employers without losing your place in line, as long as the new assembly or production role is the same or similar occupation to what was described in the original PERM filing.
Green Card Assembly Specialist: Frequently Asked Questions
Can an Assembly Specialist qualify for an EB-2 or EB-3 green card?
Most Assembly Specialist roles qualify under EB-3 as skilled workers, since the classification covers positions requiring at least two years of experience or training rather than an advanced degree. EB-2 is available if the role genuinely requires a master's degree or a bachelor's degree combined with five years of progressive experience, but that's uncommon for standard assembly positions. Your employer's PERM filing must accurately reflect the actual minimum requirements of the job.
How does green card sponsorship differ from H-1B for Assembly Specialist roles?
H-1B visa requires a specialty occupation tied to a bachelor's degree in a specific field, which most Assembly Specialist roles don't satisfy, making green card sponsorship the more practical path. The EB-3 route involves PERM labor certification filed with the Department of Labor, followed by an I-140 petition with USCIS and then adjustment of status or consular processing. Unlike H-1B, there's no lottery, but per-country annual limits mean priority-date backlogs can apply depending on your country of birth.
What does the PERM process look like for an Assembly Specialist role?
Your employer starts by obtaining a prevailing wage determination from the Department of Labor for your specific role and work location. They then conduct a formal recruitment test, advertising the position and documenting that no qualified U.S. workers applied. After completing recruitment, they file the PERM application with DOL. Once PERM is certified, the employer files an I-140 petition with USCIS on your behalf, establishing your priority date for the final green card steps.
How do I find Assembly Specialist employers who actually sponsor green cards?
Migrate Mate lists employers with verified green card sponsorship history for production and assembly roles, so you're not applying to companies that have never navigated PERM. Focus on mid-to-large manufacturers, automotive suppliers, and electronics assembly firms, since they tend to have dedicated HR teams experienced with the multi-month PERM recruitment process and the ongoing USCIS filing requirements.
Can I switch employers after my green card process has started?
You can change employers, but the rules depend on where you are in the process. If your I-140 is approved but your I-485 is pending fewer than 180 days, changing employers restarts the sponsorship process with a new PERM filing. Once your I-485 has been pending 180 days or more, AC21 portability lets you move to a same or similar assembly occupation without losing your priority date, as long as your new employer is willing to continue the sponsorship.