Diesel Mechanic — Chehalis, WA
Dry Box, Inc. | $35–$40/hour | Full-time
Keep the largest container fleet in the Pacific Northwest on the road.
Dry Box is the PNW's largest supplier of shipping container rentals and sales. Family-owned and headquartered in Chehalis, WA, we operate eight yards across Washington, Oregon, Utah, Colorado, and Florida — serving over 100,000 construction, industrial, and residential customers across ten states. Our trucks deliver storage containers, refrigerated (reefer) containers, ground-level mobile offices, intermodal conex boxes, and fully customized builds to jobsites and yards across the region. None of that happens without the shop.
Our Chehalis yard is hiring a Lead Mechanic to run the maintenance department, build the team, and keep our fleet of diesel container trucks and sideloaders running clean. The shop sits in Lewis County, a short drive from Centralia, Olympia, Tumwater, Lacey, and the surrounding I-5 corridor.
The Role
You'll lead the shop end to end — diagnostics, preventive maintenance, repairs, parts, vendors, and the mechanics under you. You report to the Operations Manager. The fleet is a mix of heavy-duty and medium-duty diesel trucks (CDL and non-CDL), Hammar sideloaders, and the lift equipment that moves containers around the yard. You'll set the pace, set the standards, and train the next generation of diesel technicians.
This is a hands-on lead role. On a busy day, you're in coveralls, under the truck, solving the problem. If you want to push paper, this isn't it.
What You'll Do
- Lead the team of mechanics and shop staff, building a culture of teamwork, professionalism, and continuous improvement
- Diagnose and troubleshoot complex mechanical issues in diesel engines, transmissions, drivetrains, brakes, hydraulics, and electrical systems
- Perform routine maintenance and repairs across heavy-duty and medium-duty trucks, sideloaders, lift equipment, and yard machinery — including engine overhauls, brake jobs, and electrical diagnostics
- Conduct routine safety inspections to ensure compliance with company and DOT standards
- Build and run preventive maintenance (PM) schedules that minimize downtime and keep the fleet DOT-ready
- Provide hands-on training and mentorship to junior mechanics on specialized repair techniques and safety protocols
- Maintain accurate records of repairs, parts inventory, and service history
- Manage procurement of parts and supplies through vendor coordination and negotiation, balancing quality and cost
- Handle welding and light fabrication work as needed for chassis and equipment repair
- Stay current on industry trends, DOT/FMCSA regulations, and diesel engine technology
- Enforce safety standards and OSHA-aligned procedures across the shop
- Perform additional maintenance related tasks as needed
What You Bring
Required
- 10+ years working on diesel vehicles (heavy-duty and medium-duty trucks, or equivalent fleet experience)
- Forklift certification and experience with large machinery
- 3+ years in a leadership or shop-lead capacity
- Intermediate computer skills (work orders, parts systems, digital service records)
- Physically able to lift 75+ pounds and work in shop and yard conditions
- Reliable transportation, punctuality, and consistent work ethic
Preferred
- Master Diesel Mechanic certification
- ASE certifications
- Experience with sideloaders, container handlers, or similar specialized equipment
- Prior role as a Lead Mechanic, Shop Foreman, Master Diesel Technician, Fleet Mechanic, or Heavy Equipment Mechanic
- 3+ years of welding at an intermediate skill level
- Own your own tools, and willingness to use them at work
Why Dry Box
We're a regional company that competes with the national guys — and wins because our people care. You'll work on a modern, well-maintained fleet, have the budget and parts pipeline to do the job right, and lead a team that takes pride in the work. If you want a shop that runs clean and gives you the authority to keep it that way, this is it.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $35.00 - $40.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Application Question(s):
- Briefly describe your most relevant diesel mechanic/technician or shop-lead role - who did you lead, and what kind of fleet did you maintain? Blank or "See resume" answers will not be considered.
Experience:
- heavy-duty diesel truck mechanic: 5 years (Required)
License/Certification:
- Driver's License (Required)
- Master Diesel Technician Certification (Preferred)
Ability to Commute:
- Chehalis, WA 98532 (Required)
Work Location: In person
