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Fleet technicians play a big role in making sure vehicles run properly. They reduce downtime and ensure vehicles are safe and reliable.
So, what is a fleet technician? Continue reading to learn about what they do and the benefits of this role.
Fleet technician job description
A fleet technician is responsible for maintaining and repairing a company's fleet of vehicles. These vehicles can include trucks, cars, buses, vans or other commercial vehicles used for business purposes.
Schneider diesel technicians are fleet technicians. That’s because they work on semi-trucks and trailers within Schneider's fleet.
A fleet technician differs from a dealership technician, who specializes in repairing and maintaining vehicles at a dealership, usually from a specific manufacturer.
6 benefits of being a fleet technician
1. You have consistent work.
No matter what shop you’re working in, there’s always plenty to do as a fleet technician.
Schneider’s fleet, for example, includes approximately:
- 12,500 trucks.
- 81,400 trailers and intermodal containers.
Covering about 9 million miles each day, this large operation ensures there's always equipment in need of attention. That provides consistent and predictable work for technicians.
2. You work on a variety of equipment.
Working with a variety of truck makes and models keeps the job interesting.
Schneider diesel technicians, for example, work mainly on two different types of trucks:
- Freightliner Cascadias with a DD15 or DD13 GHG 21 engine and DT12 transmission
- International LTs with a Cummins X15 engine and an Eaton Endurant transmission
Understanding the different systems and engines of each truck makes the job both challenging and rewarding.
3. You have a mix of tasks to do.
One of the best parts of being a fleet technician is the chance to tackle a wide range of tasks. This includes fixing different vehicle systems, finding mechanical issues and making repairs. The variety of work ensures no two days are exactly alike.
Schneider, like many fleets, trains diesel technicians to work in all areas of the shop. This allows technicians to expand their skills and prevents the work from becoming monotonous.
4. You use standardized checklists.
Standardized checklists are an essential tool for diesel technicians. They ensure consistency, accuracy and efficiency in every shop.
Schneider diesel technicians, for example, use standardized checklists to:
- Follow the correct diagnostics for the system they’re working on.
- Look at the work history of the truck.
- Provide information to help recover warranty dollars.
5. You have growth opportunities.
Fleet technicians have lots of opportunities to grow their careers. This is especially true at large companies like Schneider.
There are many ways to advance in a shop, including:
- Moving into more advanced technician roles, such as:
6. You collaborate with other technicians.
One thing you’ll notice when working for a fleet is the strong sense of teamwork among technicians.
Schneider diesel technicians communicate and learn from one another daily while sharing things like:
- Safety issues they encountered.
- Updated service information from vendors or engineers.
- New diagnostics or technologies they learned while working on a truck.
No matter what position someone is in, everyone in the shop has one common goal: to keep the fleet running.
