Diesel Technician - Heavy Duty Truck Repair

Palmer Trucks; Bowling Green (KY); On-site; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

401(k) match

Paid Time Off

Life Insurance

Training & Tools

Job summary

Palmer Trucks in Kentucky is hiring a Diesel Technician to diagnose and repair heavy- and medium-duty trucks, buses, and tractor-trailers. The role requires inspecting, diagnosing, maintaining, installing, and repairing components and systems on a variety of vehicles.

The technician will perform maintenance, diagnostic tests, and repairs, using computerized equipment and tooling, and must document work on Repair Orders. A valid driver’s license is required; CDL is preferred but not required.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of basic computer skills and repair order software.
• Valid driver's license; CDL preferred but not required.
• Must have or be able to obtain appropriate certifications.

Responsibilities

• Perform recommended routine maintenance procedures.
• Perform diagnostic tests for issues, failures, and performance.
• Determine a course of action for damaged parts and systems.
• Routinely use computerized equipment and specialized tooling.
• Complete assigned repairs and tasks in a timely and safe manner.
• Accurately records time, cause, and correction on Repair Orders.
• Tests components that may require driving trucks before and after repairs.
• Participates in and completes technical training and professional development.
• Other duties as assigned

Skills

Computer skills

Repair orders

Driver's license

CDL preferred

Job description

Diesel Technician - Heavy Duty Truck Repair

Reports To: Service Manager

Summary

The primary function of the Diesel Technician is to diagnose and complete repairs on heavy and medium-duty trucks. The individual will perform a variety of tasks on heavy-duty trucks, large construction vehicles, buses, and tractor-trailers. Those tasks include Inspection, diagnosis, maintenance, installation, and repair of components, engines, and systems related to heavy-duty and medium-duty vehicles.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform recommended routine maintenance procedures.
• Perform diagnostic tests for issues, failures, and performance
• Determine a course of action for damaged parts and systems.
• Routinely use computerized equipment and specialized tooling.
• Complete assigned repairs and tasks in a timely and safe manner.
• Accurately records time, cause, and correction on Repair Orders.
• Tests components that may require driving trucks before and after repairs.
• Participates in and completes technical training and professional development.
• Other duties as assigned

Business Skills

Individual has demonstrated a strong set of business skills listed below

• Continuous Learning - Taking initiative to regularly learn new concepts, technologies and/or methods
• Decision Making - Analyzing all aspects of a situation to make consistently sound and timely decisions
• Resiliency - Quickly recovering from adversity
• Teamwork - Cooperating with others to meet objectives
• Customer Focus - Anticipating, meeting and/or exceeding customer needs, wants and expectations
• Self-Starting - Demonstrating initiative and willingness to begin working
• Time and Priority Management - Prioritizing and completing tasks in order to deliver desired outcomes within allotted timeframes

Requirements

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of basic Computer skills and Repair Order Processing Software.
• Certificates, Licenses, Registrations
• Position requires a valid drivers license and the ability to operate motor vehicles. All service technicians must maintain a safe driving record.
• A current Commercial Driver's License is preferred but not required.
• Working hours: Heavy-duty diesel technicians may work varying shifts, including evenings, weekends, and potentially on-call or emergency repair shifts, as diesel engine maintenance and repairs are often required outside of regular business hours.

Behaviors

Candidate needs to have the following behaviors for superior job performance.

• Interaction - The job requires frequent communication and engagement with others.
• People-Oriented - The job requires building rapport with a wide range of individuals.
• Customer-Oriented - The job requires identification and fulfillment of customer expectations.
• Versatile - The job requires adapting to various situations with ease.
• Frequent Change - The job requires rapid shifts between tasks.
• Urgency - The job requires decisiveness, quick response, and fast action.
• Persistence - The job requires finishing tasks despite challenges or resistance.Following Policy - The job requires adhering to rules, regulations or existing methods.
• Consistent - The job requires predictable performance in repetitive situations.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Mobility: The heavy-duty diesel technician should be capable of moving around the workshop or service area, which may involve walking, standing, bending, and potentially working in confined spaces or under vehicles. Ability to climb ladders. Ability requires a person to bend, twist, squat, reach in order to perform tasks on truck components.
• Vision: Good eyesight and visual acuity are important for a heavy-duty diesel technician to inspect and troubleshoot engine components, read technical manuals, and perform precision work.
• Hearing: The technician should have good hearing to diagnose engine sounds, communicate effectively with colleagues and customers, and be aware of any audible warnings or signals in the workshop. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate, due to tools and engine noise.
• Manual dexterity: A high level of manual dexterity is essential for a heavy-duty diesel technician to handle tools, components, and equipment with precision, and perform tasks such as disassembling, repairing, and reassembling engine parts.
• Lifting: This role often involves lifting heavy components or tools. The technician should have the physical strength and ability to safely lift and move heavy objects, following proper lifting techniques to prevent injury.
• Ability to lift a minimum of 60lbs – 150 lbs. unassisted.

Benefits

Palmer Trucks is a family-owned company with nearly 60 years of success, treating everyone with respect and dignity. Our team is always ready to help you find the best benefits package for you and your family.

Individual, Spouse and Family coverage Multiple Products are affordable and provide value for you and your family.

• Health and Wellness Benefits
• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Supplemental Products like Short-Term, Long-Term Disability

Financial stability and Retirement Preparedness:

• Our 401(k) program includes a company match
• Retirement Planning Assistance
• Financial Guidance and Education

Paid Time Off:

• Full-time employees enjoy paid holidays and personal time
• Vacation based on the length of service.

Resources when we face major challenges and life events:

• Life Insurance, Hospital Stay, Critical Illness, other products
• Bereavement Services and Employment Assistance Program
• Mental Health Resources readily accessible and without stigma

Paid Training and Tools Assistance to do the job right.

About Palmer Trucks

Palmer Trucks is a full-service Kenworth dealership network serving Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, and Illinois, offering a comprehensive range of products and services. As a family-owned business with more than half a century of growth and success, Palmer Trucks has grown to a team of more than 600 individuals. With more than two million trucks on U.S. highways and interstates at any given time, there is a paramount need to keep the industry moving – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

We remain committed to building authentic, valuable connections by meeting the industry’s unique, time-sensitive needs as a trusted partner. We accomplish this by providing products and services of the highest quality and value – personalized for you.

Because of this philosophy, we develop and nurture long-term, valuable relationships with our partners. The Palmer Trucks team has the utmost privilege and gratitude to do business, and these core values are what keep customers returning year after year and have kept us – On the Road Since 1965.

Job Posting Information

This position has an immediate start date and will allow proper notice to the existing employer.

Palmer Trucks is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation for a medical condition or disability during any part of the application process,

Palmer Trucks is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All Applicants are considered for employment without a regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy), age (40 or older), disability, veteran status or any other legally protected.

Revised: August 2025