PDI Repair Technician
Department: Pre-Delivery Inspection (PDI) / Operations
Reports To: PDI Team Leader / Production Supervisor
Classification: Hourly
Recommended Pay Classification: PDI Repair Technician
Position Summary
The PDI Repair Technician is an advanced technical position responsible for diagnosing, repairing, replacing, adjusting, and verifying components and systems on completed Terberg vehicles during the Pre-Delivery Inspection process.
This position is responsible for correcting mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, structural, and assembly-related issues identified during PDI to ensure every vehicle meets Terberg quality, safety, functionality, and customer requirements prior to release and shipment.
Unlike the standard PDI Technician role, the PDI Repair Technician must possess the technical ability to remove, replace, repair, and properly reinstall components and assemblies throughout the truck. The technician must be capable of troubleshooting complex problems, determining root cause, completing repairs, and verifying that the vehicle operates correctly after the repair.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Diagnosis & Repair
- Diagnose mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, and assembly-related problems identified during PDI.
- Determine root cause of defects and identify the appropriate repair method.
- Remove, repair, replace, adjust, and reinstall components and assemblies as required.
- Perform advanced repairs without compromising vehicle safety, quality, or functionality.
- Verify proper operation of repaired systems before releasing the vehicle.
- Perform functional testing following repairs.
- Escalate complex technical concerns to Engineering, Quality, or supervision when appropriate.
Vehicle Systems & Components
The PDI Repair Technician may be required to diagnose and repair components associated with:
- Engine and drivetrain systems
- Hydraulic systems
- Electrical systems and wiring
- Pneumatic systems
- Steering systems
- Brake systems
- Cooling systems
- Cab components and controls
- Lighting and electrical accessories
- Chassis components
- Suspension components
- Body panels and mounting hardware
- Pumps, hoses, fittings, valves, and cylinders
- Sensors, switches, connectors, and harnesses
- Customer-installed or vehicle-specific options
- Other truck components or assemblies as required
Pre-Delivery Inspection Support
- Support the PDI team in completing vehicles according to the production and shipping schedule.
- Review defects identified during the PDI inspection process.
- Correct defects before vehicles are approved for shipment.
- Perform final verification of completed repairs.
- Ensure repaired vehicles meet applicable Terberg specifications and quality requirements.
- Communicate vehicle status and outstanding repair concerns to the PDI Team Leader or Supervisor.
Quality
- Maintain a strong “Right First Time” approach to all repairs.
- Follow approved specifications, drawings, work instructions, and repair procedures.
- Verify torque requirements and other critical specifications after repairs.
- Ensure workmanship meets Terberg quality standards.
- Document completed repairs accurately.
- Support containment and corrective actions when recurring defects are identified.
- Identify repeat issues and communicate trends to Quality, Engineering, and Operations.
- Protect finished vehicles from damage while performing repairs.
Parts & Material Coordination
- Identify parts and components required to complete repairs.
- Verify missing, damaged, incorrect, or defective components.
- Work closely with Material Handling/Warehouse personnel to obtain replacement parts.
- Communicate backordered or unavailable parts that could affect vehicle completion.
- Ensure removed and replacement components are properly controlled.
- Notify leadership of parts shortages that could impact shipment schedules.
Troubleshooting & Problem Solving
- Use systematic troubleshooting techniques to identify root causes.
- Read and interpret electrical schematics, hydraulic diagrams, engineering drawings, and technical documentation.
- Use appropriate diagnostic equipment and tools.
- Assist Engineering and Quality with investigation of complex or recurring problems.
- Provide feedback regarding manufacturing issues discovered during PDI.
- Recommend improvements that prevent defects from reaching PDI.
Safety
- Follow all company safety policies and procedures.
- Use required personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Follow proper Lockout/Tagout procedures when applicable.
- Safely operate hand tools, power tools, diagnostic equipment, lifting devices, and material-handling equipment.
- Immediately report unsafe conditions or damaged equipment.
- Maintain a clean and organized work area using 5S principles.
Continuous Improvement
- Participate in root cause analysis and corrective action activities.
- Support Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Identify recurring defects and opportunities to improve upstream manufacturing processes.
- Participate in Kaizen activities as required.
- Help develop or improve standardized repair procedures.
- Share technical knowledge with PDI Technicians and production employees.
Minimum Qualifications
Education
- High School Diploma or GED required.
- Technical school, vocational training, or Associate Degree in automotive, diesel, heavy equipment, electrical, hydraulics, or a related technical field preferred.
Experience
- Minimum 3 years of mechanical, automotive, diesel, heavy equipment, industrial maintenance, or related repair experience preferred.
- Manufacturing experience strongly preferred.
- Heavy truck or specialty vehicle experience preferred.
- Previous troubleshooting and diagnostic experience required.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
- Strong mechanical aptitude.
- Advanced troubleshooting and diagnostic ability.
- Ability to remove and replace major vehicle components.
- Knowledge of hydraulic systems.
- Knowledge of electrical systems and wiring.
- Knowledge of pneumatic systems.
- Ability to use electrical diagnostic equipment, including multimeters.
- Ability to read electrical schematics and hydraulic diagrams.
- Ability to read engineering drawings and technical documentation.
- Ability to use hand tools, power tools, torque tools, and diagnostic equipment.
- Strong attention to detail.
- Ability to work independently with limited supervision.
- Strong problem-solving skills.
- Ability to prioritize repairs based on production and shipping requirements.
- Ability to communicate technical issues clearly to leadership, Quality, and Engineering.
Preferred Qualifications
- Diesel or heavy-equipment repair experience.
- Automotive or commercial vehicle repair experience.
- Hydraulic troubleshooting experience.
- Electrical troubleshooting experience.
- Welding or fabrication experience where applicable.
- Root Cause Analysis experience.
- Lean Manufacturing or Continuous Improvement experience.
Physical Requirements
- Ability to stand and walk for extended periods.
- Frequently bend, kneel, crouch, climb, reach, and work underneath or around vehicles.
- Ability to lift and move up to 50 pounds independently.
- Ability to use appropriate lifting equipment for heavier components.
- Ability to work safely around mobile equipment and completed vehicles.
- Ability to work in a manufacturing environment.
Key Performance Indicators
Performance may be evaluated based on:
- Repair quality / Right First Time
- Repeat repair rate
- Vehicle First Pass Yield
- Repair turnaround time
- PDI completion and schedule attainment
- On-time vehicle release
- Quality of troubleshooting and root cause identification
- Safety performance
- 5S/workplace organization
- Documentation accuracy
- Reduction of recurring defects
- Support of continuous improvement activities
Key Distinction Between PDI Positions
PDI Technician: Performs defined PDI inspection, testing, verification, adjustment, and assigned operational tasks.
PDI Repair Technician: Possesses advanced technical capability to diagnose problems and remove, replace, repair, adjust, and reinstall components throughout the vehicle to return the unit to Terberg specifications.
The PDI Repair Technician should therefore represent a higher technical classification and compensation level than the standard PDI Technician.
Core Competencies
- Technical Expertise
- Troubleshooting
- Quality Focus
- Safety
- Accountability
- Problem Solving
- Attention to Detail
- Teamwork
- Communication
- Customer Focus
- Continuous Improvement
Position Objective
The primary objective of the PDI Repair Technician is to ensure that every Terberg vehicle leaving PDI is safe, complete, fully functional, properly repaired, and ready for the customer.
The position also serves as an important feedback link between PDI and upstream manufacturing by identifying recurring defects, determining root causes, and helping the organization prevent those issues from occurring on future vehicles.
Benefits
- 10 Paid Holidays.
- 120 Hours Accrued Vacation / 5 Sick Days.
- Paid Medical Time.
- Bereavement.
- Health Insurance
- 401k / Roth Benefits with Employer Match
- Flexible Spending Account
- Employer Paid Life
- Voluntary Insurance Options
Note:
This job description is a characterization of the tasks to be performed and is not exhaustive. The incumbent is expected to loyally perform all reasonable tasks assigned.