Bus & Truck Mechanics & Diesel Engine Specialists

Bus Mechanic, Diesel Mechanic, Diesel Technician (Diesel Tech), Truck Mechanic

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Aerospace Propulsion; Aerospace Propulsion Apprentice, F101, F110, F118, TF34 Jet Engines (A-10, B-1, B-2, F-16, U-2 aircraft); Aerospace Propulsion Craftsman, F100, F101, F110, F118, F119, F135, TF34 Jet Engines (A-10, B-1, B-2, F-15, F-16, F-22, F-35, U-2 aircraft); Aerospace Propulsion Helper; Aerospace Propulsion Helper, TF33, CF6, F103, F108, F117, TFE-731, TF39, PW 2040, F138 Jet Engines (Airlift, Special Mission, and B-52 aircraft); Aerospace Propulsion Journeyman, TF33, CF6, F103, F108, F117, TFE-731, TF39, PW 2040, F138 Jet Engines (Airlift, Special Mission, and B-52 aircraft); Mission Generation Vehicular Equipment Maintenance; Mission Generation Vehicular Equipment Maintenance Craftsman; Mission Generation Vehicular Equipment Maintenance Journeyman; Mission Generation Vehicular Equipment Maintenance, Helper, Material Handling Equipment (MHE)/463L Maintenance
Air and Missile Defense (AMD) Systems Tactician; Aircraft Powerplant Repairer; Cannon Crewmember; Construction Equipment Repairer; Field Artillery (FA) Weapons Locating Radar (WLR) Specialist; Maintenance Supervisor; Petroleum Supply Specialist; Quartermaster and Chemical Equipment Repairer; Senior Automotive Maintenance Warrant Officer/Senior Ordnance Logistics Warrant Officer; Tracked Vehicle Repairer
Machinery Technician; Marine Safety Specialist Engineer; Naval Engineering Specialty
Aircraft Maintenance (Rotary-Wing); Automotive Maintenance Technician; Engineer Equipment Mechanic; Fixed-Wing Aircraft Loadmaster, C-40A; Helicopter Crew Chief, CH-53; Helicopter Power Plants Mechanic, T-400/T-700; Helicopter/Tiltrotor Mechanic-Trainee; Motor Vehicle Operator; Senior Armor SNCO; Tiltrotor Crew Chief, MV-22
ALCO (251C), and General Motors EMD (645) Diesel Engine Technician; Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Officer, Support Equipment; Aviation Support Equipment Technician; Conversion NEC CM Construction Mechanic Basic; Diesel Engine Systems Technician; LCAC Craft Engineer/Assistant Operator; Landing Craft Air Cushion Deck Engineer; Machinery Repairman Apprentice; NAMTS Diesel Engine, Governor, and Injector Repair Technician; SE Hydraulic Intermediate Maintenance Technician
Mission Generation Vehicular Equipment Maintenance; Mission Generation Vehicular Equipment Maintenance Apprentice; Mission Generation Vehicular Equipment Maintenance Helper; Mission Generation Vehicular Equipment Maintenance Journeyman; Mission Generation Vehicular Equipment Maintenance Journeyman, Firefighting and Refueling Vehicle and Equipment Maintenance
What they do:
Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul buses and trucks, or maintain and repair any type of diesel engines. Includes mechanics working primarily with automobile or marine diesel engines.
On the job, you would:
  • Use handtools, such as screwdrivers, pliers, wrenches, pressure gauges, or precision instruments, as well as power tools, such as pneumatic wrenches, lathes, welding equipment, or jacks and hoists.
  • Inspect brake systems, steering mechanisms, wheel bearings, and other important parts to ensure that they are in proper operating condition.
  • Raise trucks, buses, and heavy parts or equipment using hydraulic jacks or hoists.

Knowledge

Engineering and Technology

  • mechanical
  • computers and electronics

Transportation

  • movement of people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road

Education and Training

  • teaching and course design

Arts and Humanities

  • English language

Skills

Basic Skills

  • thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem
  • talking to others

Problem Solving

  • noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

Abilities

Hand and Finger Use

  • hold or move items with your hands
  • keep your arm or hand steady

Controlled Movement

  • quickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat
  • use your arms and/or legs together while sitting, standing, or lying down

Ideas and Logic

  • notice when problems happen
  • use rules to solve problems

Hearing and Speech

  • tell the difference between sounds

Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions.

They do well at jobs that need:

  • Attention to Detail
  • Dependability
  • Analytical Thinking
  • Initiative
  • Integrity
  • Self Control

Technology

You might use software like this on the job:

Computer aided design CAD software

  • Autodesk AutoCAD Hot Technology
  • Dassault Systemes SolidWorks Hot Technology

Facilities management software

  • Computerized maintenance management system software CMMS
  • Shop management software

Analytical or scientific software

  • Cummins INSITE
  • Engine diagnostic software

Education

certificate after high school or
high school diploma/GED
usually needed

Get started on your career:

Find Training
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Job Outlook

Below Average
New job opportunities are less likely in the future.

Salary:

$54,360
$37,030
$78,340
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