Heavy Haul Lead Mechanic

Argee Transport Co; Des Moines (IA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Argee Transport Co. is seeking a Heavy Haul Lead Mechanic to own maintenance of our fleet of heavy haul trucks, trailers, and support equipment. This is a hands-on role in the shop with occasional field work.

You’ll diagnose, repair, and prioritize maintenance, while collaborating with drivers and operations to minimize downtime. Autonomy and strong problem-solving are essential.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• 5+ years of experience maintaining heavy-duty trucks and fleets.
• Experience diagnosing and repairing diesel engines, electrical, hydraulics, and air brakes.
• Valid driver's license and ability to provide tools.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Willingness to work flexible hours including weekends.

Responsibilities

• Diagnose, troubleshoot, maintain, and repair heavy haul trucks, trailers, and equipment.
• Perform repairs on diesel engines, drivetrains, suspensions, hydraulic systems, electrical systems, air brake systems, and trailer components.
• Conduct inspections and preventative maintenance for DOT compliance.
• Review driver inspection reports and prioritize repair needs.
• Respond to breakdowns and coordinate emergency repairs.
• Manage parts inventory and coordinate with vendors and outside service providers.
• Maintain maintenance records, work orders, inspection documentation, and compliance files.
• Assist with long‑term fleet maintenance planning and improvement recommendations.

Skills

Troubleshooting

Problem solving

Independence

Maintenance planning

Education

High school diploma or GED

Technical degree or certificate in Diesel Technology

Tools

Maintenance software

Work order systems

Job description

• Location 1987 NE 54th Avenue,Des Moines, IA, 50313,United States
• Employee Type Exempt Full Time
• Manage Others No

Description

Are you an experienced diesel mechanic who takes pride in keeping equipment running and solving complex mechanical problems? Do you enjoy working independently, making maintenance decisions, and being the go-to expert for a fleet?

We are seeking a Heavy Haul Lead Mechanic to take ownership of the maintenance, repair, and reliability of our heavy haul trucks, trailers, and support equipment. This is a hands-on role for a skilled technician who wants to spend their time in the shop and field, not managing employees.

After training, you will serve as the primary maintenance resource for our heavy haul operation. You'll work independently, diagnose and complete repairs, prioritize maintenance needs, coordinate outside support when necessary, and make decisions that keep equipment operating safely and efficiently.

This position does not have direct reports. Instead, we're looking for someone who can take ownership of fleet maintenance, work autonomously, and collaborate with drivers and operations personnel to minimize downtime.

What You'll Do

• Diagnose, troubleshoot, maintain, and repair heavy haul trucks, trailers, and support equipment.
• Perform repairs on diesel engines, drivetrains, suspensions, hydraulic systems, electrical systems, air brake systems, and trailer components.
• Conduct inspections and preventative maintenance to ensure equipment reliability and DOT compliance.
• Review driver inspection reports and equipment concerns to identify and prioritize repair needs.
• Respond to equipment breakdowns and coordinate emergency repairs when required.
• Make daily decisions regarding equipment readiness, repair priorities, and maintenance schedules.
• Manage parts inventory and coordinate with vendors and outside service providers when necessary.
• Maintain accurate maintenance records, work orders, inspection documentation, and compliance files.
• Partner with operations personnel to keep equipment available and ready for scheduled work.
• Provide guidance to drivers on equipment inspections and maintenance-related concerns.
• Assist with long‑term equipment maintenance planning and fleet improvement recommendations.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe work environment.
• Participate in an on‑call rotation and be available to respond to urgent maintenance needs as required.

This position offers a high degree of independence and flexibility, but also requires adaptability.

• Primary work location is the shop with occasional field and roadside service work.
• Work schedules may vary based on operational demands and equipment needs.
• Availability outside of normal business hours is required for emergency maintenance situations.
• Weekend work may occasionally be necessary. When operational demands require additional hours, flexibility in scheduling will be provided whenever possible.
• Work is performed in shop, field, and outdoor environments in varying weather conditions.

This role is ideal for someone who enjoys variety, thrives without constant supervision, and understands that supporting a heavy haul operation occasionally requires flexibility beyond a traditional schedule.

Why This Role Matters

In this position, you'll become the primary maintenance expert for a critical heavy haul fleet. Your work directly impacts safety, productivity, equipment reliability, and operational success.

You’ll have the opportunity to:

• Take ownership of maintenance decisions and fleet reliability.
• Work directly with operations leadership.
• Influence equipment maintenance and replacement recommendations.
• Solve unique mechanical challenges on specialized equipment.
• Make a visible impact on the success of the operation every day.

Build Your Career With Us

We’re looking for someone who enjoys turning wrenches, solving problems, and taking ownership of their work. If you’re an experienced mechanic who wants the autonomy to make decisions, maintain specialized equipment, and play a vital role in a growing heavy haul operation, we’d like to hear from you.

What We’re Looking For

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED.
• Minimum of five (5) years of experience maintaining heavy‑duty trucks, trailers, heavy equipment, or similar fleet assets.
• Strong experience diagnosing and repairing diesel engines, electrical systems, hydraulic systems, air brakes, suspensions, and trailer equipment.
• Valid driver's license.
• Ability to provide and maintain personal mechanic tools.
• Strong troubleshooting and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Ability to prioritize work and adapt to changing operational needs.

Preferred Qualifications

• Technical degree, certificate, or formal training in Diesel Technology, Heavy Equipment Maintenance, Automotive Technology, or a related field.
• Experience supporting heavy haul, specialized transportation, construction, or heavy equipment fleets.
• Experience managing preventative maintenance programs and fleet compliance requirements.
• Class A CDL or willingness to obtain one.
• Experience using maintenance management software and work order systems.

Additional Requirements

All offers are contingent upon successful post‑offer drug testing, physical, background check, and motor vehicle record verification.

The Rasmussen Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds and experiences.