Demo

Sheet Metal Experimental Mech

Solar Turbines
San Diego, CA Full Time
POSTED ON 4/7/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 5/6/2026
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.

Experimental Sheet Metal Mechanic Occupational Summary:

Layout and fabricate details, assemblies and subassemblies for the manufacture of turbine engines from scratch, through verbal instruction and/or provided blueprints, drawings or sketches.

Support Combustion, Design and Manufacturing Engineering, Tool and Die, Machine Shop, Engine Build, Maintenance and various other departments to create, program, design, develop and implement tooling, fixtures, hardware and anything necessary to achieve critical success factors.

Perform any operation before or after machining and/or welding required to fabricate and assemble all types of parts and assemblies which involve difficult configurations and critical coordination of component parts and assemblies. Make layout necessary to establish locations of parts, trim lines, bosses, holes and flange patterns where dimensions and fitting are exact and trim, form, bend and roll difficult shapes making allowances for material and welding distortions.

Work Performed:

Perform layout, fabrication, assembly and mock-up of a diverse array of parts using various types of exotic sheet metals, copper, brass, tubing, bar and round stocks, braze fixtures, tooling details and gasket materials. Utilize cutting edge technology to work new materials as they become available.

Set-up and operate various forming machines including but not limited to: CNC Press Brakes, CNC Water Jet Machining Centers, CNC Lasers, sheet metal shears, cylinder rolls, Buffalo rolls, tube forming machinery, mills, drills, expanders, resistance welding equipment, hand tools and various de-burring equipment. Also, possess knowledge of braze techniques and heat treat procedures including: hardening, tempering, annealing, normalizing and stress relieving.

This trade also supports Precision Machine Tool Mechanics in the design and fabrication of various machine tool products and safety equipment. This trade directly supports the Tool Shop with all sheet metal work and heavy plate cutting while holding critical tolerances. This trade also works and interacts with Manufacturing and Design Engineering to determine and implement best possible material, technique, design and fabrication processes while consistently maintaining critical tolerances.

Holders of this classification interact with Engineering, Tool Design, Maintenance and numerous plant personnel in the diverse nature and scope of crafting details for everything from drip pans, sinks and safety shields to combustors and injectors. They must possess advanced shop math skills, including trigonometry, required to calculate flat pattern cone layouts, inside and outside mold lines, angles and bend deductions, arc radii and cord lengths. CAD/CAM, CREO, PRO-E programming skills when applicable. They are required to work with or without the benefit of tooling, planning, engineering information to design and develop simple and complex fixtures to achieve certified welds of small and large fabrication requirements.

This trade also provides vital services to the Customer Services sector, Hot and Cold CAM Departments, Engine Build, Tooling and Maintenance Departments. Experimental Sheet Metal Mechanics also support Test Cells in the design, layout, mock-up and fabrication of extensive types of fuel system tubing configurations, N.P.I test injectors, thermocouple installation and testing, single can combustors and the fabrication and repair of high-pressure rigs and associated hardware.

Minimum Qualifications :

  • High School Diploma, GED or equivalent.
  • 5 years of sheet metal experience.
  • Proficient use of computers.

Preferred Qualifications :

  • 8 years of sheet metal experience.
  • Setup and programming Waterjet/Laser/Amada Press Brake
  • Knowledge of processes including welding, brazing, machining, heat treating & EDM.
  • Familiarity with nondestructive testing procedures (FPI, X Ray, CT Scan, etc.).
  • Demonstrated high performance in previous positions.

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.

Summary Pay Range:

$26.25 - $45.56

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.

Salary : $26 - $46

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