What does a diesel service technician do?
A diesel service technician specializes in repairing and maintaining vehicles with diesel engines. They primarily coordinate with clients to identify their needs and preferences, inspect vehicles or engines for any damages, troubleshoot issues, perform diagnostic tests, clean parts, and replace or fix components as necessary. They may also check fluid levels, change oil, repair tires, and conduct regular maintenance checks. Moreover, a diesel service technician assists clients by answering inquiries, providing cost estimates and vehicle care advice, offering products and services, and handling concerns efficiently and courteously.
Diesel service technician responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real diesel service technician resumes:
- Receive training on Cummins CNG engines.
- Perform service on customer's boats.
- Develop skill in problem diagnosis and solution.
- Work with driveline and braking system issues.
- Diagnose, inspect, troubleshoot automatic transmission for diesel and gasoline engines.
- Use scan tools as well as computer diagnostics to troubleshoot problems with trucks.
- Work with trucks electrical system, air brake system and transmissions installing clutches and driveline components.
- Repair running gears such as wheels, springs, hangers, and brake rigging traction motors.
- Receive certification in repairs and maintenance of Volvo VWT-10 systems and components and Volvo VGHT-20 engine rebuilding.
- Clean and serial rental trucks fill up trucks with diesel and def preform preventive maintenance fix trucks per dot regulations
- Diagnose / repair charging, starting, HVAC, engine cooling, power steering, and air storage & charging.
- Diagnose and repair A/C systems replacing condensers, A/C lines, compressors, and recharging the system with the appropriate refrigerant.
- Weld parts using both MIG and TIG welders as needed for repairs to trucks and trailers.
- Total truck and trailer repair; involve welding; torch; plasma; aluminum welding; stick and MIG welding
- Inspect and repair various types and brands of mobile cranes.
Diesel service technician skills and personality traits
We calculated that 22% of Diesel Service Technicians are proficient in Construction Equipment, Diagnosis, and Diesel Engines. They’re also known for soft skills such as Customer-service skills, Detail oriented, and Dexterity.
We break down the percentage of Diesel Service Technicians that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Construction Equipment, 22%
Performed skilled mechanical repair and maintenance on Cement Mixers and other construction equipment.
- Diagnosis, 20%
Specialized in engine & aftertreatment diagnosis & repair.
- Diesel Engines, 8%
Overhauled diesel engines, repaired fuel system malfunctions, replaced diesel engine, replaced injectors and fuel pumps.
- Service Calls, 7%
Performed roadside service calls using a company supplied service truck.
- Troubleshoot, 6%
Work independently to troubleshoot and resolve mechanical, hydraulic, electrical 12-24 volt, and air failures.
- Electrical Systems, 5%
Diagnose & repair electrical systems, including data link circuits.
Common skills that a diesel service technician uses to do their job include "construction equipment," "diagnosis," and "diesel engines." You can find details on the most important diesel service technician responsibilities below.
Customer-service skills. The most essential soft skill for a diesel service technician to carry out their responsibilities is customer-service skills. This skill is important for the role because "diesel technicians frequently discuss automotive problems and necessary repairs with their customers." Additionally, a diesel service technician resume shows how their duties depend on customer-service skills: "operated a service truck for 11 months, performed on site repair at customer locations. "
Detail oriented. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling diesel service technician duties is detail oriented. The role rewards competence in this skill because "diesel technicians must be aware of small details when inspecting or repairing engines and components, because mechanical and electronic malfunctions are often due to misalignments and other easy-to-miss causes." According to a diesel service technician resume, here's how diesel service technicians can utilize detail oriented in their job responsibilities: "updated and maintained a detailed service log of repair orders and parts. "
Dexterity. This is an important skill for diesel service technicians to perform their duties. For an example of how diesel service technician responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "mechanics need a steady hand and good hand–eye coordination for many tasks, such as disassembling engine parts, connecting or attaching components, and using hand tools." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a diesel service technician: "truck service and repair hydraulic, brakes and oil changes metal fabrication, welding and recycling equipment operator; forklift and loader".
Mechanical skills. For certain diesel service technician responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "mechanical skills." The day-to-day duties of a diesel service technician rely on this skill, as "diesel technicians must be familiar with engine components and systems and know how they interact with each other." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what diesel service technicians do: "perform diagnostics, mechanical maintenance and repairs on customer's vehicles, order required parts and explain procedures to the customer. "
Organizational skills. Another crucial skill for a diesel service technician to carry out their responsibilities is "organizational skills." A big part of what diesel service technicians relies on this skill, since "diesel technicians must keep workspaces clean and organized in order to maintain safety and accountability for parts." How this skill relates to diesel service technician duties can be seen in an example from a diesel service technician resume snippet: "prepare powerpoint and multimedia presentations to promote organizational learning throughout the h&p; land drilling fleet. "
Physical strength. Another skill commonly found on diesel service technician job descriptions is "physical strength." It can come up quite often in diesel service technician duties, since "diesel technicians often lift heavy parts and tools, such as exhaust system components and pneumatic wrenches." Here's an example from a resume of how this skill fits into day-to-day diesel service technician responsibilities: "worked as a service and installation technician for physical security systems. "
The three companies that hire the most diesel service technicians are:
- Larson Davis37 diesel service technicians jobs
- Rush Enterprises32 diesel service technicians jobs
- The Pete Store30 diesel service technicians jobs
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Compare different diesel service technicians
Diesel service technician vs. Mechanic helper
The job of a mechanic helper is to support lead mechanics and perform a variety of duties and responsibilities. You will be assisting in the maintenance of cars, such as changing tires and oils, replacing brakes, and diagnosing vehicle issues. In addition, you will be responsible for logging labor costs and inventory use and take vehicles for test drives. Other duties include replacing belts and hoses, assisting the lead mechanic in major projects, and repairing and maintaining cars.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a diesel service technician are more likely to require skills like "construction equipment," "diagnosis," "troubleshoot," and "dot." On the other hand, a job as a mechanic helper requires skills like "work ethic," "strong work ethic," "preventive maintenance," and "safety equipment." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Mechanic helpers really shine in the professional industry with an average salary of $36,229. Comparatively, diesel service technicians tend to make the most money in the transportation industry with an average salary of $51,518.mechanic helpers tend to reach similar levels of education than diesel service technicians. In fact, mechanic helpers are 1.2% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Diesel service technician vs. Mechanic driver
Also known as diesel services technicians, truck mechanics perform various heavy-duty truck tasks. The technicians work on large vehicles, tractor-trailers, and buses. It is their duty to inspect, make diagnoses, and repair the brake systems and other electrical components. They conduct routine maintenance work, which aims for longevity and functionality. It is also important for them to have skills in communication, organization, computer system, and administrative tasks.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that diesel service technician responsibilities requires skills like "diagnosis," "corrects," "diesel equipment," and "perform routine maintenance." But a mechanic driver might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "tractor trailer," "cdl," "dump truck," and "preventative maintenance."
In general, mechanic drivers achieve similar levels of education than diesel service technicians. They're 0.9% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Diesel service technician vs. Truck mechanic
Mechanics are professionals responsible for assembling, maintaining, and repairing vehicles and types of machinery. They are knowledgeable of various tools and equipment, machinery, electrical systems, and other components. They can usually be seen indoors, garages in particular. Due to the advancement of technology, they are also required to be familiar with computer and software programs that can be used in auto shops and vehicles. They always work in safety precautions.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, diesel service technicians are more likely to have skills like "construction equipment," "troubleshoot," "corrects," and "diesel equipment." But a truck mechanic is more likely to have skills like "cdl," "customer service," "hvac," and "grinders."
Truck mechanics earn the best pay in the energy industry, where they command an average salary of $53,263. Diesel service technicians earn the highest pay from the transportation industry, with an average salary of $51,518.When it comes to education, truck mechanics tend to earn similar degree levels compared to diesel service technicians. In fact, they're 0.1% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.1% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Diesel service technician vs. Mechanic
Types of diesel service technician
Updated January 8, 2025
