Heavy Equipment Field Mechanic

Merritt Contracting•Lebanon, IN

9d•Hybrid

About The Position

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.

Requirements

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.
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.
Valid driver’s license with an acceptable driving record.
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.

Nice To Haves

John Deere equipment experience is preferred.
Basic welding and fabrication experience is preferred.
CDL is helpful but not required at the time of hire.

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 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.
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.
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.
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.