Senior Diesel Technician

Saronic Saronic · Defense · Austin, TX · Mission Services

This role is for a Senior Diesel Technician supporting autonomous surface vessels (ASVs). It requires deep marine diesel expertise, independent diagnostic capability, and the ability to own complex maintenance outcomes in operational environments. The candidate will serve as a technical lead and mentor.

What you'd actually do

  1. Serve as the technical authority for diesel engine maintenance, diagnostics, and repair on ASV platforms.
  2. Independently diagnose and resolve complex diesel engine malfunctions, mechanical failures, and electrical faults, including unfamiliar or first-of-kind failure modes.
  3. Lead overhaul, rebuild, and restoration of diesel engines and associated systems including fuel injection, turbochargers, cooling, and exhaust.
  4. Perform and oversee routine maintenance tasks including oil changes, filter replacements, fluid checks, and scheduled PM activities.
  5. Utilize OEM diagnostic tooling (Volvo VODIA or equivalent) and other diagnostic equipment to conduct system-level assessments and repairs.

Skills

Required

  • 10+ years of hands-on experience as a diesel technician, with significant time in marine environments.
  • Marine diesel and/or Volvo VODIA experience strongly preferred; equivalent OEM diagnostic platform experience considered.
  • Proven track record of independently diagnosing and repairing diesel engines and related propulsion, fuel, cooling, and exhaust systems.
  • Expert-level proficiency in electrical troubleshooting including complex, multi-system fault isolation.
  • Demonstrated experience with engine teardown, rebuild, and overhaul; this is a core expectation of the role.
  • Ability to read and interpret technical manuals, wiring diagrams, engineering drawings, and schematics with minimal supervision.
  • Familiarity with quality management systems including work order management, compliance documentation, and parts accountability.
  • Ability to lead technically in dynamic, field-based environments with limited support infrastructure.
  • Ability to travel as needed to support field operations and deployments.

Nice to have

  • Maritime, defense, commercial offshore, or regulated operational environments preferred.
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills; comfortable interfacing with customers, operators, and engineering teams.

What the JD emphasized

  • decade or more of hands-on experience
  • independent diagnostic capability
  • own complex maintenance outcomes
  • operate without supervision
  • technical lead and mentor