Transmission Technician

Description

Riggs Cat Power & Energy is hiring Transmission Technicians at every level, from apprentice to Lead / Master. You will tear down, inspect, and rebuild transmissions, torque converters, final drives, and powertrain components in our shop. Whether you're starting out from an on-highway, ag, heavy equipment, military, or automotive background or bring ten-plus years of powertrain rebuild experience, apply.

The work splits into three areas: mechanical rebuild, torque converters, and electronic/hydraulic controls. You advance by owning more of them. Continuous Improvement leads here, which means finding why a transmission failed so the next one lasts longer. Every level lives the Riggs Way: Urgent. Selfless. Excellent.

Levels and responsibilities

Level 1: Apprentice

Typical experience: 0–2 years; on-highway transmission, ag/heavy equipment dealer, military vehicle, or automotive transmission backgrounds

•  Teardown, cleaning, and inspection prep
•  Clutch pack and seal kitting
•  Supervised clearance measurements
•  Failed-part tagging

Moves up when: Completes a supervised rebuild with verified clearances and passes Powertrain Systems Level 1

Level 2: Technician II

Typical experience: 2–5 years rebuilding heavy-duty or industrial transmissions

•  Independent teardown and reassembly
•  Clutch and plate clearance checks and shimming
•  Valve body inspection
•  Final drive service

Moves up when: Completes an independent torque converter overhaul and test and passes Powertrain Systems Level 2

Level 3: Senior

Typical experience: 5–10 years across mechanical rebuild and control systems

•  Torque converter overhaul and testing
•  Control diagnostics
•  Failure analysis on returns
•  Final QC on individual rebuilds
•  Trains Levels 1–2

Moves up when: Ready to own shop standards and repair decisions (Level 4)

Level 4: Lead / Master

Typical experience: 10+ years of transmission, converter, and final drive work

The shop's powertrain authority. Here's what changes from Senior:

•  Scope: Owns transmission quality for the whole shop, not just individual rebuilds
•  Standards: Sets rebuild, test, and sign-off standards instead of working to them
•  Decisions: Makes repair vs. replace calls, including when a core isn't worth rebuilding; handles warranty dispositions using documented evidence; scopes and quotes jobs
•  People: Mentors the team and gives corrective feedback that keeps the shop working together
•  Cross-team: Coordinates with Dyno or test stand on failures and feeds findings back into how we rebuild
•  Client role: Clear client communication

Level 4 is the top of the ladder.

Requirements

What you bring

All levels:

•  Precision tools, basic hydraulics, and exploded-view and OEM manual reading
•  Strict cleanliness and contamination control on hydraulic systems
•  Cat SIS 2.0 or a comparable service information system (e.g., John Deere Service ADVISOR, CNH Service Plus, Jaltest)
•  Forklift and overhead crane certification within 90 days of hire

By level:

•  Level 2+: Powertrain Systems Level 1, Transmission and Torque Converter Overview coursework, Cat ET, scope of repair and parts reuse guidelines, AFA I
•  Level 3: Powertrain Systems Level 1 & 2, Transmission Control Overview, AFA I & II, and a structured diagnostic approach to controls
•  Level 4: Same training as Senior, plus cost and scope judgment

Nice to have:

•  ASE A2 Automatic Transmission or T3 Drive Train
•  Cat powertrain experience (a strong plus at Level 4)

How you work:

•  Replaces wear parts instead of reusing them to save time
•  Separates mechanical, hydraulic, and control causes methodically
•  Makes evidence-based calls

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Must be able to pass work related pre-employment physical demands. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and talk or hear. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts; fumes or airborne particles; outside weather conditions and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Will be required to drive for extended periods of time.

The job description is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

EEO/AA

Non-Exempt; Hourly

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)