How to Write a Resume for a Diesel Technician

As a diesel technician, your resume needs to prove you can keep trucks, buses, heavy equipment, and diesel-powered vehicles running safely and efficiently. Employers look for hands-on troubleshooting skills, familiarity with diagnostic tools, and a strong commitment to safety and preventive maintenance. A tailored, well-structured resume helps you stand out from other technicians with similar experience by clearly showing the specific engines, systems, and tools you know best.

Whether you’re just starting out as a diesel mechanic or you’re an experienced technician aiming for a fleet, dealership, or OEM role, a targeted diesel technician resume can significantly improve your chances of landing interviews. The goal is to show that you can diagnose issues quickly, complete quality repairs, and minimize downtime for vehicles and equipment.

Key Skills for a Diesel Technician Resume

Your skills section should highlight the technical, mechanical, and soft skills that employers in trucking, construction, agriculture, transit, and logistics are looking for. Focus on the skills that match the job posting and that you can back up with real experience.

Technical and Mechanical Skills

• Diesel engine diagnostics and repair (Cummins, Caterpillar, Detroit, International, etc.)
• Electronic diagnostic tools and software (e.g., Cummins INSITE, Detroit DiagnosticLink, OEM scan tools)
• Hydraulic systems inspection and repair
• Air brake systems and ABS diagnostics
• Electrical systems troubleshooting (12V/24V, wiring, sensors, relays)
• Fuel systems (common rail, injection pumps, injectors)
• Aftertreatment systems (DPF, DEF, SCR, EGR systems)
• Transmission and driveline repair (manual, automatic, heavy-duty)
• Preventive maintenance (PM) inspections and services
• Tire, suspension, and steering system repairs
• Welding and fabrication (if applicable)
• Use of hand tools, power tools, and shop equipment (lifts, torque wrenches, hoists)

Safety, Compliance, and Documentation Skills

• OSHA and shop safety procedures
• DOT regulations and inspection standards
• Maintenance recordkeeping and work order documentation
• Using computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS)
• Vehicle inspection reports (DVIR) and documentation

Soft Skills

• Problem-solving and analytical thinking
• Attention to detail and quality workmanship
• Time management and ability to handle multiple work orders
• Teamwork with other technicians, service writers, and drivers
• Customer service and clear communication with non-technical people
• Dependability and strong work ethic

Formatting Tips for a Diesel Technician Resume

Hiring managers and shop foremen often scan resumes quickly. A clean, easy-to-read format helps them see your qualifications immediately.

Layout and Length

• Use a simple, professional layout with clear section headings.
• Stick to one page if you have under 8–10 years of experience; two pages is acceptable for seasoned technicians.
• Use bullet points instead of long paragraphs to describe your experience.

Fonts and Design

• Choose readable fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Helvetica in 10–12 pt size.
• Avoid heavy graphics, photos, or complex designs that can confuse applicant tracking systems (ATS).
• Use bold text and spacing to separate sections, not colors or images.

Essential Resume Sections

Header

• Include your full name, city/state, phone number, email address, and optional LinkedIn profile.
• Use a professional email (e.g., firstname.lastname@domain.com).

Professional Summary

Replace the outdated “Objective” with a short 3–4 line summary that highlights your experience level, key specialties, and value.

Example: “ASE-certified Diesel Technician with 6+ years of experience diagnosing and repairing Class 8 trucks and heavy equipment. Skilled in electronic diagnostics, aftertreatment systems, and preventive maintenance programs. Proven track record of reducing vehicle downtime and improving fleet reliability in high-volume shop environments.”

Experience

• List positions in reverse chronological order (most recent first).
• Include job title, employer, location, and dates of employment.
• Use bullet points to describe your responsibilities and achievements, focusing on results (e.g., reduced breakdowns, improved turnaround time).
• Quantify your impact whenever possible (number of vehicles, reduction in downtime, etc.).

Education

• List your highest level of education first (e.g., Diesel Technology diploma, associate degree, high school).
• Include the school name, location, credential, and graduation year (or “in progress”).
• Mention relevant coursework (diesel engines, hydraulics, electrical systems) if you are early in your career.

Certifications & Training

• Highlight ASE certifications, OEM training, CDL, and safety courses in a separate section.
• Include expiration dates where relevant.

Showcasing Certifications and Technical Training

For diesel technicians, certifications and formal training can be a major advantage. Many employers filter resumes based on ASE status, OEM certifications, or completion of a diesel technology program.

Key Certifications to Highlight

• ASE Certifications:
  • T2 – Diesel Engines
  • T4 – Brakes
  • T5 – Suspension and Steering
  • T6 – Electrical/Electronic Systems
  • T7 – Heating, Ventilation & A/C
  • Master Medium/Heavy Truck Technician (if applicable)
• OEM Training: Cummins, Caterpillar, Detroit Diesel, International, Volvo/Mack, PACCAR, etc.
• Vocational/Technical School: Diesel Technology, Heavy Equipment Technology, Automotive & Diesel programs.
• CDL License: CDL A or B (especially valuable for road testing and mobile technician roles).
• Safety & Compliance: OSHA 10/30, forklift certification, brake inspector certification, EPA 609 (A/C handling).

How to Present Certifications

• Create a dedicated “Certifications & Training” section below your Experience or Education.
• List each credential with full name, issuing organization, and year earned or renewed.
• Prioritize certifications mentioned in the job description or common in your target industry (fleet, dealership, construction, etc.).

Example:

Certifications & Training

• ASE Certified Medium/Heavy Truck Technician (T2, T4, T5, T6) – 2023
• Cummins INSITE Diagnostics Training – 2022
• Diesel Technology Diploma, XYZ Technical College – 2021
• OSHA 10-Hour General Industry Safety – 2020

Highlighting Hands-On Diagnostics and Repair Experience

Hiring managers want proof that you can handle real-world problems in the shop or field. Your resume should clearly communicate the types of equipment you have worked on, the diagnostic tools you use, and the complexity of repairs you can perform.

Detail the Equipment and Environments You’ve Worked In

• Specify vehicle types: Class 6–8 trucks, buses, agricultural equipment, construction machinery, generators, marine diesel, etc.
• Mention work environments: dealership, fleet maintenance, rental company, municipality, transit authority, field service.
• Note whether you handled shop-based work, mobile repairs, or on-call roadside service.

Use Action-Oriented, Results-Focused Bullet Points

Instead of listing generic tasks, emphasize your impact:

• “Diagnosed and repaired diesel engine performance issues using Cummins INSITE and Detroit DiagnosticLink, reducing repeat visits by 20%.”
• “Performed DOT inspections and preventive maintenance on a fleet of 75 Class 8 tractors, improving inspection pass rate to 98%.”
• “Rebuilt heavy-duty air brake systems and ABS components, cutting brake-related breakdowns by 15% over 12 months.”
• “Completed 8–12 work orders per day in a high-volume shop while maintaining a comeback rate below 2%.”

Show Progression and Responsibility

• Highlight promotions (e.g., from Apprentice to Lead Technician).
• Mention if you trained junior techs or served as a go-to person for diagnostics.
• Note any roles in ordering parts, communicating with vendors, or working with service writers.

Tailoring Your Diesel Technician Resume to a Job Description

To get past ATS filters and catch a hiring manager’s attention, customize your resume for each job you apply to.

Match Keywords and Tools

• Review the job posting for specific engines, brands, and systems (e.g., “Cummins ISX,” “Allison transmissions,” “DPF/DEF systems”).
• Include those exact terms in your Skills and Experience sections, as long as they are accurate.
• Mirror the employer’s language (e.g., “preventive maintenance” vs. “scheduled maintenance”).

Prioritize Relevant Experience

• If the role focuses on fleet maintenance, emphasize your fleet and PM experience.
• For dealership or OEM positions, highlight OEM training and brand-specific work.
• For field service roles, showcase mobile repair, customer interaction, and independent problem-solving.

Adjust Your Summary for Each Role

Customize your professional summary to align with the job’s main focus.

Example for a Fleet Technician Role: “Fleet-focused Diesel Technician with 5+ years maintaining Class 7–8 tractors and trailers. Experienced in DOT inspections, PM programs, and minimizing downtime for high-mileage fleets.”

Emphasize Soft Skills Where Relevant

• For customer-facing roles, mention communication, professionalism, and reliability.
• For lead or senior tech roles, highlight leadership, mentoring, and shop workflow management.

Common Mistakes on Diesel Technician Resumes

A strong skill set can be overlooked if your resume contains avoidable errors. Watch out for these common issues:

Being Too Vague

• Avoid generic phrases like “worked on trucks” or “did maintenance.”
• Be specific about the types of vehicles, systems, and repairs you handled.

Leaving Out Quantifiable Results

• Not including numbers (fleet size, reduction in breakdowns, daily work orders) makes it harder for employers to see your impact.
• Whenever possible, add metrics that show productivity, quality, or reliability improvements.

Ignoring Certifications or Training

• Failing to list ASE certifications, OEM courses, or technical school training can cost you interviews, especially with larger fleets and dealerships.
• Always keep this section updated and prominent.

Poor Organization and Formatting

• Cluttered layouts, inconsistent dates, and missing job titles make your resume hard to scan.
• Use clear headings, consistent formatting, and bullet points to improve readability.

Typos and Unprofessional Language

• Spelling errors, slang, or overly casual wording can create a negative impression.
• Proofread carefully or ask someone else in the trade to review your resume.

Overloading with Irrelevant Information

• Limit non-related jobs to brief, one-line entries unless they show transferable skills (e.g., mechanical, customer service, leadership).
• Focus most of your space on diesel, mechanical, or related technical experience.

A well-crafted diesel technician resume showcases your hands-on experience, technical knowledge, and commitment to safety and reliability. By emphasizing specific systems, certifications, and measurable results, and by tailoring your resume to each job posting, you’ll position yourself as a high-value technician ready to keep any fleet or shop running at its best.