Dyno Technician — Test Assistant through Dyno Lead / Test Engineer-Technician (Levels 1–4)

JA Riggs Tractor Company•Little Rock, AR

19d

About The Position

Riggs Cat Power & Energy is hiring Dyno Technicians across four levels, from Test Assistant to Lead / Test Engineer-Technician. The role tests rebuilt and serviced engines before they return to service, validating horsepower, torque, and break-in against OEM specifications and identifying units that require rework. The dyno is the final quality checkpoint after an engine rebuild, and the technician works closely with Engine Rebuild and Transmission teams. Senior technicians conduct client witness tests, while the Level 4 lead is the shop’s authority on test standards and performance data and presents results to clients. Responsibilities and scope vary by level. Level 1 supports engine mounting and hookup, sensor installation, pre-start checklists, gauge monitoring, and supervised data logging. Level 2 independently sets up and runs tests, captures break-in and horsepower/torque curves, measures basic exhaust/emissions, and prepares test reports. Level 3 diagnoses below-spec performance, performs gas engine targeting and return-to-service sign-off on individual engines, checks sensor and load-cell calibration, conducts client witness tests, and provides rework feedback. Level 4 determines what returns to service or goes back for rework across the shop; sets test procedures and acceptance criteria; owns dyno, instrumentation, and calibration management; handles escalated witness tests; tracks and communicates failure trends to rebuild lines; trains dyno staff; and explains results clearly to nontechnical clients. All levels require engine mechanical fundamentals, test-cell safety around rotating equipment, heat, exhaust, and noise, comfort working around running engines for a full shift, disciplined adherence to written procedures, guarding, and emergency stops, and familiarity with Cat ET and SIS 2.0 or a comparable service information system. Higher levels require additional testing, diagnostics, calibration, and training experience. The role requires verification of instrumentation before relying on data, evidence-based communication of rework issues, and refusing to sign off marginal results under schedule pressure. This is a non-exempt, hourly position. Employees must be able to pass work-related pre-employment physical demands. The employee frequently sits and occasionally stands, walks, handles or feels objects, reaches, stoops, kneels, crouches or crawls, and talks or hears. Specific vision abilities include close, distance, color, and peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. The role occasionally involves exposure to moving mechanical parts, fumes or airborne particles, outside weather, and vibration; workplace noise is usually moderate. Extended periods of driving are required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. The employer may change the job description as business needs and job requirements change.

Requirements

At least 2 years of commercial diesel or large-bore engine experience to start; Level 1 candidates are described as typically having 2–6 years of relevant experience.
Engine mechanical fundamentals.
Test-cell safety around rotating equipment, heat, exhaust, and noise.
Comfort working around running engines for a full shift.
Disciplined use of written test procedures, guarding, and emergency stops (e-stops).
Cat ET and SIS 2.0, or a comparable service information system such as Cummins QuickServe/INSITE, Detroit DiagnosticLink, or Jaltest.
Level 2 and above: Data acquisition software and sensor and load-cell calibration checks.
Level 3: 7-Step Diagnostic Process, GERP for gas engine targets, and AFA I & II.
Must be able to pass work-related pre-employment physical demands.
Ability to perform the described physical functions, including frequent sitting and occasional standing, walking, handling, reaching, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling, and talking or hearing.
Specific vision abilities required include close, distance, color, and peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
Ability to drive for extended periods.

Nice To Haves

Level 2: 3–5 years of diesel or gas engine work, including dyno or test-cell time.
Level 3: 5–10 years of experience with strong diagnostics and deep test-cell experience in diesel and gas.
Level 4: 10 or more years of engine test and diagnostic work.
Level 1: Internal Level 2 rebuild technician experience or outside experience with commercial diesel or large-bore engines.
Experience with Cat ET and SIS 2.0 or comparable systems, including Cummins QuickServe/INSITE, Detroit DiagnosticLink, or Jaltest.

Responsibilities

Test rebuilt and serviced engines before return to service, validating horsepower, torque, and break-in against OEM specifications and identifying units requiring rework.
Work with Engine Rebuild and Transmission teams as part of the post-rebuild quality checkpoint.
Level 1: Mount and hook up engines, install sensors, complete pre-start checklists, monitor gauges, and perform supervised data logging.
Level 2: Independently set up and run tests; capture break-in and horsepower/torque curves; conduct basic exhaust/emissions measurement; and prepare test reports.
Level 3: Diagnose below-spec performance, perform gas engine targeting, sign off return to service for individual engines, check sensor and load-cell calibration, conduct client witness tests, and provide rework feedback to rebuild technicians.
Level 4: Decide what returns to service and what requires rework across the shop; establish test procedures and acceptance criteria by engine family; manage dyno calibration, maintenance, instrumentation, and calibration; set procedures for and handle escalated client witness tests; track failure trends and communicate them to rebuild lines; train dyno staff; and present results clearly to nontechnical clients.
Verify instrumentation before trusting test data.
Raise rework issues with evidence and maintain constructive working relationships.
Do not sign off marginal results under schedule pressure.
Drive for extended periods as required.