Heavy Equipment Field Mechanic

Merritt Contracting INC; Lebanon (IN); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

ESOP Ownership

Medical Insurance

Vision & Dental Insurance

PTO & Holidays

401(k) with Company Match

Job summary

Merritt Contracting INC in Lebanon, IN is seeking an experienced Heavy Equipment Field Mechanic to diagnose, repair, and maintain our diverse fleet at active jobsites within roughly a 60‑mile radius. The role blends fieldwork with shop time and requires Saturday availability to support maintenance, repairs, and equipment readiness.

Ideal candidates have 5+ years in heavy equipment, CAT and Deere experience, and strong diagnostic skills; CDL may be pursued in the future.

Qualifications

• Five or more years of heavy-equipment mechanic experience preferred.
• CAT equipment experience is required.
• John Deere equipment experience is preferred.
• Strong knowledge of diesel engines, hydraulic systems, electrical diagnostics, drivetrains, undercarriages, cooling systems, and aftertreatment.
• Must be willing and able to obtain a CDL in the future.
• Must be available to work Saturdays as a regular part of the position.
• Able to lift and carry approximately 50 pounds; safety-first mindset.

Responsibilities

• Diagnose and repair diesel, hydraulic, electrical, mechanical, drivetrain, steering, braking, cooling, and aftertreatment systems.
• Use diagnostic software, multimeters, hydraulic pressure gauges, service manuals, electrical schematics, and hydraulic diagrams to identify problems.
• Diagnose root causes and perform repairs, not just replace parts.
• Complete minor welding and fabrication when needed.
• Test equipment after repairs to confirm safe return to service.
• Respond to equipment breakdowns at active jobsites within approximately 60 miles.
• Document work orders and parts, and maintain organized shop/vehicle areas.

Skills

Heavy equipment

CAT equipment

John Deere

Diesel engines

Electrical diagnostics

Hydraulic systems

Root-cause analysis

Safety mindset

Tools

Diagnostic software

Multimeters

Pressure gauges

Service manuals

Electrical schematics

Job description

About Merritt Contracting

At Merritt Contracting, we build more than just projects - we build careers. Since 1995, our crews have helped us become a trusted contractor for commercial concrete and civil construction across Indiana. The Merritt Way means doing the job safely, delivering quality work, and moving efficiently as a team. We're proudly an employee-owned (ESOP) company focused on long-term growth and strong field leadership.

Position Summary

Merritt Contracting is looking for an experienced Heavy Equipment Field Mechanic to maintain, diagnose, and repair the equipment our crews depend on every day.

This position primarily supports equipment at active jobsites within approximately a 60-mile radius of our Lebanon shop. The mechanic will also complete repairs, inspections, and preventive maintenance in the shop as needed.

Our general fleet includes excavators, dozers, articulated dump trucks, tractors, loaders, skid steers, compact track loaders, rollers, compactors, trucks, trailers, and other equipment used in civil construction.

We need someone who can do more than basic maintenance or replace parts. The right person can listen to an operator's complaint, troubleshoot the problem, identify the root cause, determine the parts and tools needed, and complete the repair safely and efficiently.

When equipment goes down, production can stop. This position requires someone who understands the urgency of getting equipment back to work without cutting corners on safety or repair quality.

Saturday work is a regular part of this position. Candidates must be available to support scheduled maintenance, repairs, equipment preparation, and field needs on Saturdays based on workload and production demands.

What You'll Be Doing

Equipment Diagnostics and Repairs

• Diagnose and repair diesel, hydraulic, electrical, mechanical, drivetrain, steering, braking, cooling, and aftertreatment systems.
• Use diagnostic software, multimeters, hydraulic pressure gauges, service manuals, electrical schematics, and hydraulic diagrams to identify equipment problems.
• Diagnose the root cause of equipment failures instead of only replacing the visibly damaged part.
• Complete minor welding and fabrication when needed.
• Determine when repairs can be completed internally and when dealer or specialty support is required.
• Test equipment after repairs to confirm it is safe and ready to return to service.

Preventive Maintenance

• Complete scheduled preventive maintenance, inspections, lubrication, fluid changes, filter changes, and regular equipment services.
• Inspect tracks, undercarriages, cutting edges, buckets, pins, bushings, hoses, belts, cooling systems, attachments, tires, and other wear components.
• Identify small problems before they become major equipment failures.
• Prepare and inspect equipment before it is mobilized to a jobsite.
• Monitor equipment hours and service intervals.
• Help improve preventive-maintenance schedules based on machine hours, operating conditions, service history, and recurring problems.
• Communicate maintenance needs before equipment becomes unsafe or unreliable.
• Support scheduled Saturday maintenance and equipment-readiness work.

Field Support

• Respond to equipment breakdowns at active jobsites within approximately a 60-mile radius of Merritt's Lebanon shop.
• Speak directly with operators and foremen to understand what the equipment was doing when the problem occurred.
• Diagnose mechanical, hydraulic, electrical, diesel, and aftertreatment problems in the field.
• Complete safe field repairs when jobsite conditions allow.
• Clearly communicate the diagnosis, repair plan, parts needed, and expected downtime.
• Place unsafe equipment out of service when necessary.
• Confirm repairs before returning equipment to production.
• Coordinate with foremen and operations leadership to minimize downtime and disruption to the job.
• Return equipment to the shop when repairs cannot be completed safely or effectively in the field.
• Maintain a safe work area while completing repairs around active crews and moving equipment.

Documentation and Shop Support

• Complete work orders and service reports accurately and on time.
• Record labor, parts, equipment hours, repairs, inspections, and preventive maintenance completed.
• Use equipment serial numbers, service manuals, and parts diagrams to identify and order the correct parts.
• Track incomplete repairs and follow up until the equipment is ready for service.
• Maintain an organized service vehicle, work area, tools, fluids, and commonly used parts.
• Communicate recurring equipment problems to fleet and operations leadership.
• Help maintain inventory levels for filters, fluids, hoses, fittings, and other commonly used repair items.
• Follow proper safety procedures for lockout, blocking, lifting, supporting, and working around heavy equipment.
• Perform other equipment, shop, and operational duties as assigned.

What We're Looking For

• Five or more years of heavy-equipment mechanic experience preferred.
• Experience working in a heavy-equipment dealership, manufacturer-authorized service center, construction-equipment rental operation, large fleet-maintenance shop, independent heavy-equipment repair facility, or similar equipment-service environment.
• CAT equipment experience is required.
• John Deere equipment experience is preferred.
• Strong working knowledge of diesel engines, hydraulic systems, electrical diagnostics, drivetrains, undercarriages, cooling systems, and aftertreatment systems.
• Ability to diagnose the root cause of equipment failures instead of only replacing parts.
• Ability to read service manuals, electrical schematics, hydraulic diagrams, and fault-code information.
• Comfortable using diagnostic software, multimeters, pressure gauges, and other testing equipment.
• Able to independently respond to and complete equipment repairs at active jobsites.
• Able to work effectively in both shop and field environments.
• Able to communicate clearly with operators, foremen, vendors, parts departments, and company leadership.
• Organized enough to accurately document repairs, parts, labor, equipment hours, and follow-up work.
• Basic welding and fabrication experience is preferred.
• Valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record.
• CDL is helpful but not required at the time of hire.
• Must be willing and able to obtain a CDL in the future.
• Must be available to work Saturdays as a regular part of the position. Saturday work may include preventive maintenance, field repairs, equipment preparation, inspections, and other fleet needs.
• Willingness to work additional hours when breakdowns, equipment needs, or production schedules require it.
• Able to climb on equipment and regularly bend, kneel, reach, and work from the ground.
• Able to lift and carry approximately 50 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Safety-first mindset and willingness to remove equipment from service when conditions are unsafe.

What Success Looks Like

• Equipment is diagnosed correctly and repaired properly the first time.
• Preventive maintenance is completed before major failures occur.
• Equipment downtime is reduced without compromising safety or repair quality.
• Operators and foremen receive clear, honest, and timely updates.
• Work orders, service records, and maintenance histories remain accurate.
• Parts are ordered correctly, and incomplete repairs are followed through to completion.
• The shop, service vehicle, tools, parts, and repair areas remain clean, organized, labeled, and ready for use in accordance with 5S workplace-organization principles.
• The mechanic takes ownership of equipment problems from the initial complaint through diagnosis, repair, testing, and documentation.
• Equipment is returned to the field safe, reliable, and ready to work.
• Saturday maintenance and repair needs are handled consistently so equipment is ready for the upcoming workweek.

Why Work With Us

• Competitive salary based on experience
• Employee-owned company (ESOP) - ownership participation after one year
• Medical, Vision, and Dental Insurance
• Short-Term & Long-Term Disability
• Employer-Paid Life Insurance
• PTO Accrual & Holiday Pay
• 401(k) with Company Match

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Statement: Merritt Contracting is an equal opportunity employer and follows all state and federal laws regarding EEO and anti-discrimination. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, or disability. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply. If you need accommodation during the application process, please contact our Human Resources department. Your application will be handled confidentially and in compliance with the law.