OPT Welder Jobs
Welder jobs on OPT are available across manufacturing, construction, and energy sectors, with many employers filing H-2B visa or H-1B visa sponsorship for skilled tradespeople. STEM OPT does not apply to welding roles, so standard 12-month OPT authorization is the relevant window for most F-1 students pursuing this path.
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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.
Early Career Welder Trainee
Location: South Milwaukee, WI
Pay and Shift Details
Sign-On & Retention Bonus: Up to $2,000
Shifts Available during training: 1st Shift or 2nd Shift
Shift Availability after training: 2nd Shift
Pay Progression
- Trainee pay starting at $29.30/hour
- Incremental wage increases tied to completion of training checkpoints and certifications
- Upon successful completion of the training program pay increases to $33.35/hour
- Shift Premium (if applicable): +$1.00/hour for 2nd Shift
Job Summary
Looking to start or grow your welding career? Join the Caterpillar South Milwaukee Welder Training Program and build the skills needed to become a certified production welder while earning competitive pay from day one.
Whether you've completed a welding course, gained hands-on experience in a school shop, worked in fabrication, or simply have a passion for welding, we'll help you develop your skills through structured training, mentorship, and real-world manufacturing experience. You'll learn from experienced welders while working on some of the largest and most impressive mining equipment in the world.
This is an opportunity to build a long-term skilled trades career with a global manufacturing leader.
About Caterpillar South Milwaukee
Our South Milwaukee facility manufactures Cat® Electric Rope Shovels, some of the largest and most powerful mining machines on Earth. These massive machines support mining operations around the world and represent the highest levels of welding, fabrication, and manufacturing excellence.
As a Welder Trainee, you'll receive hands-on training while contributing to the production of world-class equipment. You'll be challenged to continuously improve your skills, grow your technical knowledge, and take pride in building products that have a global impact.
If you're looking for a place to learn, grow, and build a rewarding welding career, Caterpillar South Milwaukee is the place to start.
- Learn and perform Flux Cored Arc Welding (FCAW) in a manufacturing environment
- Complete hands-on welding training through a structured development program
- Work alongside experienced welders and receive mentorship and coaching
- Read and follow work instructions, blueprints, and welding specifications
- Grind, prepare, and finish weldments to quality standards
- Support production of large structural steel components used in mining equipment
- Maintain a safe work environment while following all Caterpillar safety expectations
- Progress through welding certifications and skill checkpoints to advance your career and earnings
Minimum Qualifications
One of the following:
- At least 1 year of welding experience in a manufacturing or fabrication environment
- A 2-year Associate Degree in Welding from an accredited program
- A 1-year Welding Technical Diploma or Certificate from an accredited program
Experience That Will Help You Succeed
- Experience with Flux Cored Arc Welding (FCAW)
- Experience performing multi-pass welds
- Familiarity with grinding, weld preparation, and metal fabrication
- Exposure to blueprint reading, weld symbols, or fabrication drawings
- Experience working with structural steel, heavy plate, or large weldments
- Manufacturing, fabrication, construction, shipbuilding, railroad, military, or industrial experience
Personality Traits That Will Help You Succeed
- Strong commitment to safety
- Positive attitude and willingness to learn
- Ability to accept coaching and apply feedback
- Strong attention to detail and craftsmanship
- Ability to identify quality concerns and continuously improve
- Desire to develop technical skills and build a long-term career
- Reliability, teamwork, and strong work ethics
Why Join Caterpillar?
- Earn while you learn through a structured welding development program
- Competitive starting pay with progression milestones built into the program
- Mentorship from experienced welders and manufacturing professionals
- Long-term career growth opportunities within Caterpillar
- Comprehensive benefits package
- 401(k) with company match
- Paid vacation and holidays
- Day-one health, dental, and vision benefits
See the Work in Action
Check out welding at Caterpillar and see the type of equipment you'll help build:
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1EiikDZxJA/?mibextid=wwXIfr
How to Apply
Ready to build something big? Apply today and become part of a team that powers progress around the world.
Note: Please check your email (including spam/junk folders) regularly for updates throughout the hiring process.
Summary Pay Range:
$29.30 - $31.60
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 4, 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.
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.
Early Career Welder Trainee
Location: South Milwaukee, WI
Pay and Shift Details
Sign-On & Retention Bonus: Up to $2,000
Shifts Available during training: 1st Shift or 2nd Shift
Shift Availability after training: 2nd Shift
Pay Progression
- Trainee pay starting at $29.30/hour
- Incremental wage increases tied to completion of training checkpoints and certifications
- Upon successful completion of the training program pay increases to $33.35/hour
- Shift Premium (if applicable): +$1.00/hour for 2nd Shift
Job Summary
Looking to start or grow your welding career? Join the Caterpillar South Milwaukee Welder Training Program and build the skills needed to become a certified production welder while earning competitive pay from day one.
Whether you've completed a welding course, gained hands-on experience in a school shop, worked in fabrication, or simply have a passion for welding, we'll help you develop your skills through structured training, mentorship, and real-world manufacturing experience. You'll learn from experienced welders while working on some of the largest and most impressive mining equipment in the world.
This is an opportunity to build a long-term skilled trades career with a global manufacturing leader.
About Caterpillar South Milwaukee
Our South Milwaukee facility manufactures Cat® Electric Rope Shovels, some of the largest and most powerful mining machines on Earth. These massive machines support mining operations around the world and represent the highest levels of welding, fabrication, and manufacturing excellence.
As a Welder Trainee, you'll receive hands-on training while contributing to the production of world-class equipment. You'll be challenged to continuously improve your skills, grow your technical knowledge, and take pride in building products that have a global impact.
If you're looking for a place to learn, grow, and build a rewarding welding career, Caterpillar South Milwaukee is the place to start.
- Learn and perform Flux Cored Arc Welding (FCAW) in a manufacturing environment
- Complete hands-on welding training through a structured development program
- Work alongside experienced welders and receive mentorship and coaching
- Read and follow work instructions, blueprints, and welding specifications
- Grind, prepare, and finish weldments to quality standards
- Support production of large structural steel components used in mining equipment
- Maintain a safe work environment while following all Caterpillar safety expectations
- Progress through welding certifications and skill checkpoints to advance your career and earnings
Minimum Qualifications
One of the following:
- At least 1 year of welding experience in a manufacturing or fabrication environment
- A 2-year Associate Degree in Welding from an accredited program
- A 1-year Welding Technical Diploma or Certificate from an accredited program
Experience That Will Help You Succeed
- Experience with Flux Cored Arc Welding (FCAW)
- Experience performing multi-pass welds
- Familiarity with grinding, weld preparation, and metal fabrication
- Exposure to blueprint reading, weld symbols, or fabrication drawings
- Experience working with structural steel, heavy plate, or large weldments
- Manufacturing, fabrication, construction, shipbuilding, railroad, military, or industrial experience
Personality Traits That Will Help You Succeed
- Strong commitment to safety
- Positive attitude and willingness to learn
- Ability to accept coaching and apply feedback
- Strong attention to detail and craftsmanship
- Ability to identify quality concerns and continuously improve
- Desire to develop technical skills and build a long-term career
- Reliability, teamwork, and strong work ethics
Why Join Caterpillar?
- Earn while you learn through a structured welding development program
- Competitive starting pay with progression milestones built into the program
- Mentorship from experienced welders and manufacturing professionals
- Long-term career growth opportunities within Caterpillar
- Comprehensive benefits package
- 401(k) with company match
- Paid vacation and holidays
- Day-one health, dental, and vision benefits
See the Work in Action
Check out welding at Caterpillar and see the type of equipment you'll help build:
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1EiikDZxJA/?mibextid=wwXIfr
How to Apply
Ready to build something big? Apply today and become part of a team that powers progress around the world.
Note: Please check your email (including spam/junk folders) regularly for updates throughout the hiring process.
Summary Pay Range:
$29.30 - $31.60
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 4, 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 OPT Welder Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Welder Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Welder
Target industrial manufacturers and fabrication shops
Large-scale manufacturers and structural fabrication companies hire welders in volume and are more likely to have HR infrastructure for work authorization. Focus your search on employers with 50 or more employees who regularly hire skilled tradespeople.
Highlight your AWS or other welding certifications upfront
Certifications from the American Welding Society signal job-readiness to employers unfamiliar with OPT. Listing your certification code and date prominently on your resume removes the most common reason hiring managers pass on international candidates before the first call.
Address OPT authorization early in the conversation
Employers in skilled trades are often unfamiliar with F-1 OPT. Explain clearly that you have existing work authorization, require no sponsorship to start, and that your EAD card is the only document they need to verify employment eligibility during your OPT period.
Focus on sectors with consistent workforce shortages
Aerospace, shipbuilding, and pipeline construction face persistent welder shortages, making employers in these industries more willing to invest in sponsorship after your OPT period ends. Starting in a shortage sector improves your long-term immigration options significantly.
Ask about H-2B or sponsorship pathways before accepting an offer
OPT lasts 12 months for welding roles, so it is worth asking a prospective employer whether they have sponsored workers before. Companies with prior sponsorship experience are far more likely to support you when your OPT authorization approaches its end date.
Use Migrate Mate to find OPT-friendly welder openings
Migrate Mate filters job listings by sponsorship history and OPT compatibility, saving you the time of screening employers manually. Browsing roles on Migrate Mate narrows your search to companies already familiar with hiring international workers in skilled trades positions.
Welder OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can F-1 OPT students legally work as welders in the United States?
Yes. F-1 students with an approved EAD card can work as welders during their OPT period. Welding is not a STEM-designated field, so the standard 12-month OPT window applies. Your EAD is your work authorization document and satisfies I-9 requirements with any employer.
Does welding qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension?
No. Welding and most skilled trades programs do not fall under STEM-designated CIP codes recognized by DHS, so the 24-month STEM OPT extension is not available for this role. F-1 students working as welders on OPT have a 12-month authorization window, after which they need employer-sponsored status such as H-2B visa or H-1B visa to continue working legally.
What visa options exist after OPT expires for welders?
The most common path for welders after OPT is H-2B, a temporary nonimmigrant visa for non-agricultural workers in occupations with demonstrated labor shortages. H-1B is theoretically available but requires a specialty occupation degree nexus that is difficult to establish for welding roles. Some employers with ongoing labor needs sponsor EB-3 green cards for skilled tradespeople, though this process takes significantly longer.
How do I find welder employers who are open to hiring OPT workers?
Migrate Mate is the most direct way to find welder jobs posted by employers familiar with OPT and international hiring. Beyond that, targeting large industrial manufacturers, energy contractors, and shipbuilding companies gives you the best odds, as these sectors hire welders in volume and are more experienced navigating work authorization requirements than smaller fabrication shops.
Do I need to tell a welding employer I am on OPT before they make an offer?
You are not legally required to disclose your immigration status before receiving a job offer, but most immigration attorneys recommend being upfront with employers in skilled trades, who may be unfamiliar with OPT. Framing it clearly that you already have work authorization and need no employer action to start reduces friction and avoids surprises during the I-9 verification process.