H-1B Visa CNC Machinist Jobs
CNC Machinist roles qualify for H-1B visa sponsorship when the position requires a bachelor's degree or equivalent in a directly related field like manufacturing engineering or materials science. Employers in aerospace, automotive, and precision manufacturing regularly file Labor Condition Applications for these roles. Use this page to find companies with active H-1B filing history.
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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.
CNC Machinist – Horizontal Milling Center – 2nd Shift
Location: South Milwaukee, WI
Shift: 2nd Shift (Full-Time)
Bonus: $2,000 Sign-On Bonus
Pay Progression:
- Step 1: $30.86/hr
- Step 2: $32.14/hr
- Step 3: $33.42/hr
- Shift Premium: +$1.00/hr for 2nd shift
Job Summary
The Large Boring Bar Machinist is responsible for setting up and operating CNC horizontal milling centers and large boring mills to machine precision components for heavy equipment manufacturing. This role supports the production of large structural weldments, castings, and forgings using advanced machining techniques and equipment. The ideal candidate thrives in a high-precision, safety-driven manufacturing environment and demonstrates strong technical machining skills, blueprint interpretation, and attention to detail.
Key Responsibilities
- Set up and operate CNC horizontal milling centers and boring bar machines for large-scale machining
- Machine large steel components including weldments, castings, forgings, and plates
- Interpret manufacturing work instructions, blueprints, and operation sequences
- Align parts using fixtures, shims, parallels, clamps, and workholding devices
- Select and assemble appropriate tooling including boring bars, drills, taps, reamers, and milling cutters
- Load, run, and verify CNC programs (G & M code) and conduct trial runs as needed
- Adjust machine parameters such as feeds, speeds, and offsets to maintain tolerances
- Perform precision machining operations (boring, facing, drilling, tapping, counterboring)
- Conduct in-process inspection using micrometers, calipers, and other precision instruments
- Edit CNC programs and make manual adjustments where required
- Operate jib cranes and overhead cranes for material handling
- Maintain a clean and safe work environment in alignment with safety standards
- Support continuous improvement, quality initiatives, and team collaboration
Required Skills
- 1–3+ years of hands-on CNC machining experience
- Experience with horizontal boring mills or large machining centers
- Ability to read blueprints and technical drawings
- Strong understanding of machine shop math (including basic trigonometry)
- Experience using precision measurement tools (calipers, micrometers, gauges)
- Knowledge of G-code/M-code programming fundamentals
- Understanding of machining processes and terminology
- Demonstrated commitment to workplace safety and quality standards
Preferred Skills
- Experience machining large steel structures or heavy equipment components
- Familiarity with Fanuc and/or Siemens CNC controls
- Experience with tight tolerance machining on large parts
- Prior experience in heavy industrial or OEM manufacturing environments
- Crane operation or rigging experience
Call to Action
If you’re a skilled CNC machinist with experience in large-part machining, horizontal milling, or boring bar operations, this is your opportunity to make a meaningful impact in world-class manufacturing. At our South Milwaukee facility, you won’t just machine parts — you’ll help produce critical components that support some of the largest and most powerful mining machines in the world, including Cat® Electric Rope Shovels (ERS). The work is massive in scale and complexity, requiring precision, craftsmanship, and a commitment to quality at every step. From machining large steel weldments, castings, and forgings to working with advanced CNC equipment and precision tooling, your expertise will directly contribute to products that stand apart in the heavy equipment industry. Join a team where your machining skills matter, your work has visible impact, and your career can keep growing.
Apply today and help build what matters.
Summary Pay Range:
$29.67 - $37.09
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:
August 3, 2026 - August 30, 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.
See all 213+ H-1B Visa CNC Machinist Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding H-1B Visa Sponsorship in CNC Machinist
Document your degree-to-role alignment
H-1B eligibility for CNC Machinist roles hinges on proving specialty occupation. Gather transcripts showing coursework in manufacturing engineering, machining theory, or materials science. A generic engineering degree with no machining coursework can trigger a Request for Evidence from USCIS.
Target employers with active LCA filings
Search the OFLC Wage Search to find companies that have filed Labor Condition Applications for CNC or machinist job titles. Employers who have filed before understand the process and are far less likely to back out mid-offer when legal costs come up.
Verify the job title matches SOC code 51-4041
DOL assigns CNC Machinists to SOC code 51-4041. If your offer letter uses a vague title like 'production technician,' ask your employer to align it with this code in the LCA. Mismatched titles are a common source of prevailing wage disputes and RFEs.
Check prevailing wage level before accepting an offer
Use the OFLC Wage Search to look up Level I through Level IV wages for SOC 51-4041 in your employer's county before signing. If the offer falls below the posted prevailing wage for your experience level, the LCA won't certify and sponsorship fails.
Find H-1B-sponsoring manufacturers on Migrate Mate
Filter CNC Machinist listings on Migrate Mate by employers with verified H-1B LCA filing history. This cuts out postings from companies that have never sponsored before and focuses your search on shops already familiar with the petition process.
Clarify premium processing before your start date
Standard H-1B adjudication can run several months. If your current OPT or other status expires before approval, ask your employer to file premium processing with USCIS, which guarantees a decision within 15 business days. Confirm in writing who covers that fee before you resign from your current role.
H-1B Visa CNC Machinist: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a CNC Machinist role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
It depends on how the employer defines the position. USCIS requires the role to normally demand a bachelor's degree or higher in a specific field. A CNC Machinist job tied to a manufacturing engineering or materials science degree can qualify, but a posting that only requires trade school certification typically won't. The employer's job description and internal degree requirements carry the most weight in the petition.
Which industries sponsor H-1B visas for CNC Machinist roles most often?
Aerospace and defense contractors, automotive OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers, and precision medical device manufacturers file the most LCAs for machining roles. These industries run tight tolerances that require degree-level knowledge of materials and programming, which makes the specialty occupation argument easier to support. You can verify which employers have active filings using the OFLC Wage Search or by browsing verified listings on Migrate Mate.
What SOC code applies to CNC Machinists under H-1B filings?
DOL classifies CNC Machinists under SOC code 51-4041, titled 'Machinists.' Your employer uses this code when filing the Labor Condition Application, and it determines the prevailing wage level that must appear on your offer. If your employer assigns a different SOC code, the wage floor changes, which can affect both the LCA certification and the strength of the specialty occupation argument with USCIS.
Can experience substitute for a degree in a CNC Machinist H-1B petition?
Yes, under a three-for-one rule: three years of specialized experience can substitute for one year of a bachelor's degree. For a full four-year degree equivalent, you'd need 12 years of progressively responsible machining experience. An independent evaluation from a credentialing organization typically documents this equivalency. Your employer's attorney will need the evaluation before filing Form I-129 with USCIS.
What happens to my H-1B status if I change CNC Machinist employers?
H-1B portability lets you start working for a new employer as soon as they file a new I-129 petition with USCIS, without waiting for approval, provided your original H-1B was approved, you've maintained status, and the new role is in the same or a similar occupational classification. The new employer must file a fresh LCA with DOL certifying prevailing wage compliance for the new position before submitting the petition.