Job Title: Welder
Location: Peterlee
Salary: £19.55 per hour (Days) | £23.46 per hour (Back Shift) | £26.39 per hour (Night Shift) + Overtime
Benefits
- Regular overtime opportunities.
- Overtime paid at 1.5x Monday–Saturday (£29.33 per hour).
- Overtime paid at 2x on Sundays (£39.10 per hour).
- Permanent employment and long-term career stability.
- The opportunity to join one of the world's leading manufacturers.
The Company
Theo James Recruitment is proud to be supporting Caterpillar in the recruitment of experienced Welders for its Peterlee manufacturing facility.
As one of the world's leading manufacturers of heavy-duty construction and mining equipment, Caterpillar is continuing to invest in its UK operations and permanent workforce. The business is growing and is now looking to appoint five skilled professionals to strengthen its core team.
Manufacturing heavy-duty truck components where weld quality is critical, Caterpillar operates one of the UK's most demanding welding assessment processes, ensuring only the highest standards reach production. If you're a skilled Welder who takes pride in producing exceptional work and wants to build a long-term career with a globally recognised manufacturer, this could be the opportunity you've been looking for.
Working Hours
36.5-hour working week operating across rotating shifts:
Days: Monday–Thursday 8:00am–4:00pm, Friday 8:00am–12:30pm
Back Shift: Monday–Thursday 4:00pm–12:00am, Friday 12:30pm–5:00pm
Night Shift: Monday–Thursday 12:00am–8:00am, Friday 5:00pm–9:30pm
Regular overtime is available throughout the week and weekends. Whilst the standard rotation is Days, Backs and Nights, Caterpillar will look to accommodate individual shift preferences where operationally possible, including permanent nights for suitable candidates. Weekend shifts may also become available as production demands increase.
Job Description
As a Welder, you'll manufacture heavy-duty steel components used within a busy production environment. Working primarily with steel sections ranging from approximately 8mm to 20mm, you'll be responsible for producing consistently high-quality MIG welds that meet demanding quality standards.
Successful applicants will complete a comprehensive practical weld assessment before joining the team, reflecting the importance placed on quality and safety throughout the manufacturing process.
You'll be joining a business where quality comes before speed. Every successful applicant completes one of the UK's most stringent welding assessments, consisting of seven practical welding tests followed by laboratory inspection. Candidates who narrowly miss the required standard may be invited back for a supported re-test, demonstrating Caterpillar's commitment to developing skilled welders rather than simply rejecting them.
The business is looking to appoint five permanent Welder positions as part of its continued investment in building a strong core workforce.
Skills & Experience
The ideal Welder will have:
- Strong MIG production welding experience.
- Experience working with steel fabrication.
- Confidence welding heavier gauge materials (approximately 8mm–20mm).
- A background within a manufacturing or production environment.
- The ability to produce consistently high-quality work.
- A positive attitude towards working within a repetitive production process.
- Confidence completing a practical welding assessment.
- Time-served apprenticeship or equivalent welding experience is highly desirable.
- Previous coded welding experience would be advantageous but will be considered alongside practical ability demonstrated during testing.
Why Should You Apply?
This Welder opportunity offers the chance to join one of the world's most recognised engineering manufacturers at an exciting time of growth. With excellent hourly rates, premium shift allowances, regular overtime paid up to £39.10 per hour, and genuine long-term job security, this is an opportunity to build a career rather than simply find your next role.
Caterpillar is committed to investing in skilled welders and recognises that even experienced professionals can have an off day during testing, offering support and re-testing where appropriate. If you're an experienced Welder who enjoys producing high-quality work and wants to be part of a business that values skilled craftsmanship, we'd be keen to hear from you.
