Diesel Technician

Diesel Technician

The Diesel Technician inspects, troubleshoots, and repairs diesel trucks, trailers, tractors, and compact construction equipment, ensuring each unit is safe, reliable, and ready for service. This role combines hands-on mechanical work with advanced electronic and computerized diagnostics to identify and resolve issues in mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, and fuel systems. The technician completes routine and preventative maintenance, performs detailed safety inspections, and documents all work accurately in digital shop software while maintaining a clean, safe, and organized work area.

Responsibilities

• Inspect, troubleshoot, and diagnose mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, and fuel system issues on diesel trucks, trailers, tractors, and compact construction machinery.
• Overhaul, repair, and replace components on dealership-brand equipment and incoming commercial vehicles, including engines, transmissions, and diesel aftertreatment and emission systems.
• Perform routine and preventative maintenance such as oil changes, fluid flushes, tire services, wheel alignments, and scheduled service intervals to maximize equipment uptime.
• Conduct computerized diagnostic tests and system checks under load using specialized tools such as dynamometers, engine analyzers, and other electronic diagnostic equipment.
• Diagnose and repair diesel engines, transmissions, and related drivetrain components, ensuring proper performance and reliability.
• Troubleshoot and repair advanced hydraulic systems, including pumps, valves, hoses, and cylinders, using hydraulic schematics and system knowledge.
• Diagnose and repair electrical systems, including wiring, connectors, sensors, and control modules, using electrical system tracing and diagnostic tools.
• Perform trailer repair and inspection, addressing brakes, lights, suspension, and structural components to ensure safe operation.
• Complete MnDOT and federal commercial vehicle safety inspections to verify road and field readiness and compliance with regulatory standards.
• Read and interpret blueprints, schematics, and technical manuals to guide repair and maintenance activities.
• Maintain meticulous, clear service records in digital shop software, documenting diagnostic steps, parts used, labor hours, and completed repairs.
• Follow strict OSHA and shop safety standards, including safe operation of heavy shop lifts, welding equipment, and other tools.
• Keep work bays clean, organized, and free of hazards to support efficient workflow and a safe work environment.
• Support fleet maintenance efforts by inspecting and servicing multiple units, helping ensure consistent performance across the equipment fleet.
• Collaborate with team members and participate in additional brand and technical trainings to stay current with evolving equipment and diagnostic technologies.

Essential Skills

• Hands-on experience with diesel maintenance and diesel engine repair on trucks, trailers, tractors, or heavy equipment.
• Strong troubleshooting and diagnostic skills across mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, and fuel systems.
• Proficiency in preventative and routine maintenance, including oil changes, fluid services, tire work, wheel alignments, and scheduled service intervals.
• Experience with diesel engines, transmissions, and related drivetrain components, including diagnosis and repair.
• Ability to perform fleet maintenance and equipment maintenance on a variety of diesel-powered vehicles and machinery.
• Competence in electronic and computerized diagnostics, including the use of diagnostic software, engine analyzers, and related tools.
• Knowledge of advanced hydraulic system troubleshooting and repair.
• Understanding of aftertreatment and emission systems on diesel equipment and the ability to diagnose and repair related issues.
• Skill in electrical system tracing and repair, including wiring, sensors, and control components.
• Capability to perform trailer repair and inspection, including brakes, lighting, and structural components.
• Ability to read and interpret blueprints, schematics, and technical manuals.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and problem-solving ability.
• Commitment to OSHA and shop safety practices, including safe use of heavy shop lifts and welding equipment.
• Ability to complete accurate, detailed documentation in digital shop software.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Background in diesel engine maintenance, heavy equipment service, or fleet maintenance.
• Experience as a maintenance technician or mechanic maintenance professional in a shop or fleet environment.
• Familiarity with a variety of diesel trucks, trailers, tractors, and compact construction machinery.
• Comfort working with electronic diagnostic tools, engine analyzers, and dynamometers.
• Ability to perform detailed inspections to state and federal commercial vehicle safety standards.
• Strong organizational skills to manage multiple work orders and maintain clear service records.
• Willingness to participate in additional brand trainings and ongoing technical development.
• Effective communication skills to explain findings, repairs, and maintenance recommendations.

Why Work Here?

You join a clean, well-maintained facility that values quality workmanship and professional pride. The team operates with a small, close-knit, family feel where collaboration and mutual support are part of everyday work. You gain exposure to a wide variety of vehicles and equipment, keeping the work interesting and helping you expand your technical expertise. Additional brand trainings and ongoing learning opportunities support your long-term growth and skill development, while the environment encourages safety, respect, and continuous improvement.

Work Environment

This role is based in a shop environment with a heated facility that supports year-round operations. Temperatures can vary, with warm summers and cold winters when shop doors are open, so technicians should be comfortable working in changing conditions. The team is small and tight-knit, creating a family-style atmosphere where technicians work closely together and support one another. Work is hands-on, using tools such as heavy shop lifts, welding equipment, computerized diagnostic devices, engine analyzers, and dynamometers. The facility emphasizes cleanliness and organization in the bays to promote safety, efficiency, and professional standards in day-to-day operations.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of North Mankato, MN.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $28.00 - $35.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: Medical, dental & vision Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital 401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) Short and long-term disability Health Spending Account (HSA) Transportation benefits Employee Assistance Program Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)