324 Hydraulic Excavator
324 Hydraulic Excavator

Technology powered by people

Hamza Sobeih’s journey from auto electrician to Caterpillar’s first Certified Machine Expert shows where curiosity, determination and the support of others can lead. It also reflects Caterpillar’s belief that technology is at its most powerful when combined with skilled people. 

Caterpillar develops technology to make jobs easier, faster and safer, but it is the expertise of technicians that helps customers get the greatest value from these innovations. That is why Caterpillar places equal importance on investing in technology and developing the people who bring it to life.

 Hamza still remembers the first Cat® machine that captured his imagination. It was a D9 Track-Type Tractor working on a construction site, and its sheer size and power stopped him in his tracks. “I was amazed by its size, power and engineering,” he recalls. “That moment sparked my curiosity about Cat machines and inspired me to pursue a career as a Cat technician.”

 That curiosity has carried Hamza a long way. Starting as an auto electrician in 2008, he has now become the first person to earn Caterpillar’s expert-level machine certification, a landmark moment in a career built steadily over nearly two decades.

 For Hamza, however, the recognition is about more than being first. “It is the proudest milestone of my career,” he says. “More importantly, it reminds me that this is not the finish line, but the beginning of a greater responsibility: to keep learning, support our customers at the highest level and help develop the next generation of Cat technicians.”

Building expertise, one challenge at a time

His progress came through years of hands-on experience, formal training and a willingness to tackle unfamiliar problems. He became an Advanced Cat Certified Machine Technician in 2021 before entering the expert-level learning plan. 

 Reaching the highest certification level tested far more than his ability to diagnose and repair equipment. Hamza had to demonstrate analytical thinking, clear communication, sound judgement and customer focus, all while remaining accurate under pressure. This often meant studying and practising outside working hours, sometimes at the expense of personal and family time.

A success shared with others

Hamza is quick to share the credit. He speaks warmly of the leaders, trainers, and colleagues at Cat dealer Al-Bahar who encouraged his development, as well as the family members who supported him throughout. “This success belongs to all of them as much as it belongs to me,” he says.

 That sense of shared success matters. It demonstrates what can happen when an organisation invests in its people and gives them a clear path to grow. It also highlights the value an expert technician brings to customers, not simply restoring a machine to work, but finding solutions that improve uptime, performance and long-term results. “A good technician repairs machines,” Hamza explains. “An expert technician understands why a failure occurred and how to prevent it from happening again. They are not just troubleshooters; they are trusted technical advisors.”

Hamza Sobeih
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An expert technician understands why a failure occurred and how to prevent it from happening again.

Hamza Sobeih

Certified Machine Expert

Staying curious

With connected equipment, remote diagnostics and electrification reshaping the industry, Hamza’s appetite for learning remains as strong as ever. He wants to keep building his own knowledge while helping others find their path.

 His message to aspiring technicians is characteristically generous: “Never stop learning and never stop believing in yourself. Every challenge is an opportunity to grow. Stay curious, work hard and always strive to be better than you were yesterday.”

Hamza Sobeih
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