Heavy Equipment & Fleet Mechanic Wanted

Heavy Equipment & Fleet Mechanic

US Rail & Logistics – Portsmouth, VA

Position Summary

US Rail & Logistics is seeking a highly motivated, experienced Heavy Equipment & Fleet Mechanic to take ownership of the maintenance and reliability of our fleet and terminal equipment at our Portsmouth, Virginia facility.

This is not a position for someone who simply responds to breakdowns. We are looking for a self-starter who takes pride in building and managing a best-in-class preventative maintenance program, keeping detailed maintenance records, maintaining an organized shop and parts inventory, and ensuring our equipment is always ready to support operations.

The successful candidate will serve as the primary mechanical resource for the terminal and will be expected to identify maintenance needs before failures occur, prioritize repairs, recommend improvements, and take full ownership of equipment reliability. We are looking for someone who treats our equipment as if it were their own and understands that minimizing downtime is critical to our customers and our business.

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Essential Responsibilities

Fleet & Equipment Ownership

• Take full ownership of the maintenance and reliability of all company fleet and terminal equipment.
• Develop, manage, and continuously improve the terminal’s preventative maintenance program.
• Schedule and complete preventative maintenance based on manufacturer recommendations, hours, mileage, and operating conditions.
• Identify maintenance concerns before they become costly repairs or operational failures.
• Recommend equipment repairs, replacements, and improvements to maximize reliability and reduce downtime.
• Coordinate major repairs with outside vendors when necessary while maintaining oversight of repair quality.

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Equipment Maintenance & Repair

Maintain and repair a diverse fleet including:

• Class 8 tractors
• Flatbed and pneumatic trailers
• Forklifts
• Wheel loaders
• Yard tractors and terminal vehicles
• Rail transloading conveyors
• Pumps
• Compressors
• Generators
• Hydraulic systems
• Industrial support equipment

Responsibilities include:

• Diagnosing mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, and diesel engine issues.
• Performing preventative maintenance and inspections.
• Performing emergency repairs to minimize operational downtime.
• Maintaining all equipment in safe operating condition.

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Maintenance Program Administration

Maintain accurate and organized maintenance records for every company asset, including:

• Preventative maintenance schedules
• Repair history
• Inspection reports
• Parts replaced
• Labor performed
• Equipment hours and mileage
• Warranty information
• Upcoming maintenance requirements

The mechanic will be expected to proactively track maintenance needs rather than relying on management direction.

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Shop & Inventory Management

• Maintain a clean, safe, and organized maintenance shop.
• Manage shop tools and equipment.
• Maintain an organized parts inventory.
• Order replacement parts and shop supplies as needed.
• Ensure critical spare parts remain in stock to minimize downtime.
• Keep maintenance areas professional and inspection-ready at all times.

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Driver & Operational Support

• Support truck drivers and terminal personnel with mechanical issues.
• Respond to local roadside service calls as needed.
• Be available for an on-call rotation to respond to after-hours equipment failures and operational emergencies.
• Work closely with operations personnel to minimize service interruptions.

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Safety & Compliance

• Ensure all equipment complies with DOT, OSHA, and company safety standards.
• Perform repairs using safe work practices and established procedures.
• Identify and correct unsafe mechanical conditions immediately.
• Support company safety initiatives through quality workmanship and preventative maintenance.

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Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of experience repairing heavy equipment, diesel trucks, industrial equipment, or related machinery.
• Strong diesel engine diagnostic experience.
• Knowledge of hydraulic, pneumatic, electrical, and mechanical systems.
• Welding and fabrication experience preferred.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Valid driver’s license required.
• CDL preferred but not required.

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Desired Characteristics

We are looking for someone who:

• Takes ownership inste