Updated for 2026

Diesel Mechanic
Resume Example

A proven, ATS-optimized resume structure for diesel mechanics and technicians. Built around ASE certifications, fleet maintenance metrics, and diagnostic expertise that fleet managers and shop supervisors prioritize.

ATS Score
87
Excellent
Keywords · Impact · Format
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Ryan Kowalski

Houston, TX  |  [email protected]  |  (555) 873-4196  |  linkedin.com/in/ryankowalski
Summary

ASE-certified diesel mechanic with 8 years of experience maintaining and repairing Class 6 through Class 8 commercial vehicles. Serviced a 120-unit fleet with a 96% uptime rate. Skilled in engine diagnostics, fuel system repair, electrical troubleshooting, and preventive maintenance across Cummins, Detroit Diesel, and Caterpillar platforms.

Skills & Certifications
Certifications: ASE T2 (Diesel Engines), ASE T4 (Brakes), ASE T5 (Suspension/Steering), EPA 608, CDL Class B
Engines: Cummins ISX/ISB, Detroit DD13/DD15, Caterpillar C13/C15, Paccar MX-13
Systems: Fuel injection, turbocharger, DPF/SCR aftertreatment, electrical/wiring, HVAC, air brake, hydraulic
Diagnostics: Cummins INSITE, Detroit Diesel Diagnostic Link (DDDL), Caterpillar ET, OBD-II scanners, multimeters
Experience
Senior Diesel Mechanic - Penske Truck Leasing, Houston, TX
  • Performed scheduled and unscheduled maintenance on a 120-unit fleet of Class 7 and Class 8 tractors, maintaining a 96% fleet uptime rate
  • Diagnosed and repaired engine, transmission, and aftertreatment system faults using Cummins INSITE and Detroit DDDL, averaging 14 work orders per week
  • Reduced brake-related roadside breakdowns by 35% by implementing a proactive brake wear inspection process during every PM service
  • Mentored 3 junior technicians on DPF regeneration procedures and SCR system troubleshooting, improving their first-time fix rate by 20%
Diesel Technician - Rush Truck Centers, San Antonio, TX
  • Completed over 2,500 repair orders across Peterbilt, Kenworth, and International commercial trucks, including engine overhauls, clutch replacements, and electrical repairs
  • Performed DOT annual inspections on 200+ vehicles per year, maintaining a 100% compliance rate with FMCSA standards
  • Diagnosed complex electrical faults in wiring harnesses and ECM modules, reducing average diagnostic time by 25% compared to shop benchmarks
  • Earned ASE T2 and T4 certifications within first 18 months, becoming the youngest technician at the location to hold both
Education
Diesel Technology Certificate - Universal Technical Institute
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Why This Resume Works

This resume scores well with ATS systems and fleet maintenance hiring managers because it follows three principles:

1
Quantified fleet and repair performance

Fleet size, uptime rate, work orders per week, and inspection volumes. Every bullet proves reliability and capacity.

2
ASE certifications prominently listed

Specific ASE test codes (T2, T4, T5) and engine platforms listed where ATS scanners and shop managers find them first.

3
Clean, single-column format

Standard section headings that ATS parsers expect. No tables, columns, or graphics that break parsing.

Section-by-Section Breakdown

Summary

Lead with your ASE certifications and years of experience. Include the fleet size you maintained, your uptime rate, and the engine platforms you specialize in. Fleet managers and shop supervisors want proof that you can keep their trucks running.

Skills & Certifications

Group by category: certifications first, then engine platforms, systems, and diagnostic tools. List each ASE certification with its test code. ATS systems match these against job posting requirements word for word.

Tip: List specific diagnostic software by name (Cummins INSITE, Detroit DDDL, Cat ET). Many postings require experience with a particular OEM platform.

Experience

Use this formula for every bullet point:

[Action verb] + [what you did] + [scope or context] + [measurable result]

Start bullets with strong verbs: Performed, Diagnosed, Repaired, Reduced, Maintained, Completed, Mentored. Avoid "Responsible for" or "Helped with" when you can describe your direct contribution instead.

3-5 bullets per role. Lead with your most impressive fleet uptime or repair efficiency metric.

Education

For diesel mechanics with field experience, education goes last. Include your diesel technology certificate or associate degree. If you completed OEM-specific training programs (Cummins, Detroit, etc.), list them here as well.

Key Skills for Diesel Mechanic Resumes

Based on analysis of diesel mechanic and fleet technician job postings, these are the most frequently required skills and certifications:

ASE Certification Engine Diagnostics Preventive Maintenance DPF/SCR Aftertreatment Air Brake Systems Electrical Troubleshooting Cummins INSITE DOT Inspections Fuel Injection Systems Hydraulic Systems Welding (MIG/TIG)

Common Mistakes on Diesel Mechanic Resumes

  • Listing "repaired trucks" without volume or outcomes - "Repaired diesel engines" does not show your capacity. "Completed 2,500+ repair orders across Peterbilt, Kenworth, and International trucks" proves your workload and range.
  • Writing "ASE certified" without test codes - shops hiring for specific roles need to know which ASE tests you passed. List T2, T4, T5, etc. so ATS systems can match you to the right posting.
  • Leaving out diagnostic tool experience - modern shops require OEM diagnostic software. If you know Cummins INSITE, Detroit DDDL, or Cat ET, list each one by name.
  • Not mentioning fleet uptime or breakdown reduction - fleet managers measure success by uptime percentage and breakdown frequency. If you improved either metric, make it a headline bullet with the specific numbers.

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