Advanced Diesel Technician – Ford, Cummins, GM
Sterling Diesel & Off-Road Splendora, TX
$90,000–$120,000+ per year - Salary, not flat rate
Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–6:00 PM
Sterling Diesel & Off-Road began in a driveway in 2016. Within the first year, the business moved into a shop of its own. After rebuilding through two major floods, Sterling opened a larger, purpose-built facility in Splendora and expanded it again in 2025.
That history says a lot about the people behind the shop: they work hard, solve problems, and keep moving forward.
The workdays are fast-paced, but the environment is not stiff or overly corporate. People joke around, speak openly, and are trusted to handle their responsibilities. When a difficult job requires another set of eyes, the team helps. When a process could work better, the owner asks for input and is willing to invest in the tools, equipment, or training needed to improve it.
Most of Sterling’s technicians have been with the company for years, with an average tenure of approximately five years. The shop has also built a loyal customer base that continues to return and refer new business.
This is an opportunity for an experienced diesel technician who wants the freedom to diagnose and repair vehicles independently, the equipment to do the work properly, and teammates who will still have your back when a job gets complicated.
Compensation and Benefits
- $90,000–$120,000+ per year
- Salaried compensation, not flat rate
- Pay based on experience, diagnostic ability, efficiency, and the level of work you can complete independently
- Additional earning growth available as your value and capabilities grow
- One-hour paid lunch
- One week of vacation available after 90 days
- Two weeks of vacation after one year
- Three weeks of vacation after five years
- One week of paid sick time, separate from vacation
- All federal holidays paid
- Health, dental, and vision plan options available at Sterling’s discounted group rate
- Employees are responsible for the full premium, which is deducted from their weekly paychecks
- Shop-provided uniforms with weekly laundry service
- Training and certification support considered and funded based on the opportunity
PTO has a 90-day waiting period before it can be earned or used. Sterling also understands that emergencies do not always follow a schedule. If something unexpected happens during that time, communicate with the shop so a reasonable solution can be worked out together.
A retirement plan is not currently available, but the company is actively working toward offering one.
Schedule
The regular schedule is Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, including a paid one-hour lunch.
The shop also works one Saturday per month by appointment. You’ll know what is expected and have a consistent schedule you can plan around.
The Shop, Tools, and Equipment
You’ll work in a large, heated and air-conditioned facility with a dedicated employee break room and a steady variety of diesel, fleet, performance, and off-road work.
Sterling provides access to:
- OEM manufacturer diagnostic platforms
- Snap-on diagnostic equipment
- EZ LYNK
- HP Tuners
- Advanced electrical and diagnostic testing equipment
- Digital vehicle inspections through Tekmetric
- Shop-owned specialty tools
You’ll need your standard professional hand tools, but you will not be expected to purchase every specialty tool a job requires. When the team needs equipment the shop does not already have, Sterling is willing to purchase it for shared use.
The same approach applies to training. Sterling has participated in SEMA, AAPEX, manufacturer open houses, technical seminars, and local distributor training. If a class or certification will strengthen your abilities and help the shop, leadership is open to supporting it.
The Work You’ll Be Doing
This is not a maintenance-heavy position. Approximately half of the work is mechanical repair, more than one-third is testing and diagnostics, and a smaller portion is routine maintenance.
Sterling is especially known for Duramax repair, but the shop works on a broad range of vehicles and equipment, including:
- Ford, GM, and Cummins diesel platforms
- Light-duty and heavy-duty diesel vehicles
- Fleet vehicles
- Performance and modified trucks
- Off-road and specialty vehicles
Ford experience is essential. You should be confident diagnosing and repairing 6.0L, 7.3L, 6.4L, and 6.7L Power Stroke engines.
Your work will include:
- Diagnosing mechanical, electrical, drivability, and communication concerns
- Developing a testing strategy from symptoms and data instead of relying on codes alone
- Engine repair, including external components, timing systems, internal repairs, and advanced diagnostic work
- Brakes, steering, suspension, and cooling-system repairs
- Driveline and transmission removal and replacement
- Battery, charging, starting, sensor, actuator, wiring, module, CAN, and LIN system diagnosis
- Communicating clear findings, required repairs, and parts needs to the service advisor
- Documenting inspections and repair findings through Tekmetric
- Reviewing your own work and verifying that every repair is complete before the vehicle leaves your bay
What Success Looks Like
Within your first five months, you should be able to take ownership of a vehicle’s diagnostic process from beginning to end without needing another technician to guide you through it.
You will be considered successful when you can:
- Complete advanced diagnostics independently and in a timely manner
- Accurately identify the cause of the concern and the repairs needed
- Communicate complete findings and parts requirements to the service advisor
- Complete repairs efficiently, including working under published book time when the job allows
- Consistently inspect and verify your own work
- Deliver quality repairs without preventable comebacks
- Be someone the team can trust to take responsibility for a job and see it through
Speed matters, but it never replaces accuracy. Quality control is an absolute requirement.
Requirements and Certifications
A strong candidate will have:
- Professional diesel repair and diagnostic experience
- Proven experience with Ford Power Stroke engines, especially the 6.0L, 7.3L, 6.4L, and 6.7L
- The ability to independently diagnose and repair complex mechanical and drivability concerns
- Strong electrical testing skills using a DVOM, wiring diagrams, and scan data
- Experience interpreting live data and using bi-directional controls
- Familiarity with oscilloscopes, pressure transducers, and other advanced diagnostic tools
- The ability to diagnose network, communication, and module concerns
- Experience with Ford, GM, and Cummins platforms
- Strong time management and the ability to complete repairs efficiently
- Consistent attention to workmanship and final quality control
- Reliable attendance and clear communication
- A willingness to continue learning as diesel systems and technology evolve
ASE and manufacturer certifications are welcomed, but they are not required. Sterling places more value on what you can demonstrate in the bay than on the certifications listed on your résumé.
Spanish-speaking ability is welcomed, but it is not required for this technician position.
If you want to do serious diesel work with the equipment, independence, and team support to do it properly, we’d like to hear from you.
Questions? Contact [email protected]. Please do not contact the shop directly as we have partnered with Auto Ignite Management.
Pay: $90,000.00 - $120,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
Experience:
- professional diesel engine repair: 4 years (Required)
- Ford Power Stroke diagnostic and repair: 2 years (Required)
License/Certification:
- Driver's License (Required)
Ability to Commute:
- Splendora, TX 77372 (Required)
Work Location: In person
