Fleet Mechanic (Heavy Goods Vehicles)

BPUL is looking to recruit a suitable candidate for the position below:

Job Title: Fleet Mechanic (Heavy Goods Vehicles)

Department: Transport / Workshop & Maintenance

Employment Type: Full Time/Permanent

Reports To/ Direct Supervisor: Fleet Coordinator

Indirect/Functional Supervisor: Transport Manager / Logistics Manager, Operations Director

Grade Level: Technical / Artisan – Workshop Grade

Duty station: Uganda (Workshop Based with breakdown response duties)

Key Responsibilities:

Preventive Maintenance

• Carry out scheduled preventive maintenance services (PMS) in accordance with the manufacturer’s service intervals and the Fleet Coordinator’s maintenance schedule — including engine oil and filter changes, fuel filter replacements, air filter services, coolant flushes, brake adjustments, and greasing of all lubrication points.
• Complete full pre-service and post-service vehicle inspections, documenting findings accurately on job cards.
• Inspect and adjust braking systems (drum and disc), including brake linings, shoes, calipers, wheel cylinders, brake chambers, and slack adjusters on air-brake systems.
• Service and inspect all lighting systems, horn, wipers, and safety equipment to ensure compliance with Ugandan vehicle fitness standards.
• Check, adjust, and replace belts, hoses, and clamps (fan belts, alternator belts, power steering hoses, radiator hoses) at prescribed intervals.

Fault Diagnosis & Corrective Repairs

• Diagnose mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, and pneumatic faults on HGVs using both manual inspection and electronic diagnostic tools/OBD scanners where available.
• Carry out engine repairs including cylinder head work, timing system repairs, fuel injection system servicing, turbocharger inspection, and overheating fault resolution.
• Repair and overhaul gearbox, clutch, propeller shaft, and differential systems on manual and automatic heavy truck transmissions.
• Service and repair suspension systems including leaf springs, shock absorbers, U-bolts, torque rods, and fifth wheel coupling assemblies on articulated units.
• Diagnose and repair electrical system faults including starter motor, alternator, battery management, wiring harnesses, and trailer electrical connections.
• Repair air brake systems, including compressors, air dryers, reservoirs, relay valves, and brake chamber diaphragms.
• Carry out tyre inspections, rotations, pressure checks, and coordinate tyre replacements and retreads with the Fleet Coordinator and approved tyre suppliers.

Reefer / Refrigeration Unit Maintenance

• Carry out routine maintenance on refrigeration (reefer) units fitted to reefer trucks, including checking refrigerant levels, belts, evaporator coils, condenser units, and temperature control systems.
• Diagnose and report refrigeration unit faults beyond in-house capability to the Fleet Coordinator for escalation to a certified refrigeration engineer.
• Ensure reefer units are fully operational and temperature-verified before every cold-chain dispatch.
• Maintain a reefer unit service log recording temperature calibration checks, service history, and fault history for each unit

Breakdown Response

• Respond promptly to field breakdown callouts, either by attending the breakdown site or providing remote technical guidance to drivers to enable safe recovery.
• Carry a field service toolkit and critical fast-moving spare parts (fan belts, fuses, bulbs, brake chamber diaphragms, etc.) to enable roadside repairs where possible.
• Arrange and coordinate recovery towing for vehicles that cannot be repaired in the field, liaising with the Fleet Coordinator on logistics.
• Complete breakdown job cards on return to the workshop, documenting the fault found, parts used, repair time, and root cause.

Workshop Documentation & Parts Management

• Open, complete, and close job cards accurately for every vehicle that enters the workshop — recording fault description, diagnosis, parts used, labour hours, and final sign-off.
• Raise parts requisitions through the Fleet Coordinator, specifying correct part numbers and quantities to avoid incorrect parts procurement.
• Return all unused parts to stores and ensure parts usage is reconciled against job cards before vehicle release.
• Maintain an accurate tool register and report any damaged, missing, or worn tools to the Fleet Coordinator immediately.
• Record defect trends, recurring faults, and component life data to support the Fleet Coordinator’s predictive maintenance planning.

Workshop Safety & Housekeeping

• Adhere strictly to all workshop safety rules: use of personal protective equipment (PPE) including overalls, safety boots, gloves, and eye protection always.
• Follow safe working procedures for vehicle jacking, chocking, and working under elevated vehicles — no shortcuts under any circumstances.
• Handle and dispose of waste oil, coolant, tyres, batteries, and other workshop waste in accordance with environmental and occupational health requirements.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and hazard-free workshop environment; ensure tools are returned to designated storage after every job.
• Report any workshop safety hazards, near-misses, or injuries to the Fleet Coordinator immediately and participate in incident investigations.

Driver Defect Liaison & Pre-Trip Support

• Conduct or support daily pre-trip vehicle inspections alongside drivers, verifying roadworthiness before departure and signing off on driver defect check sheets.
• Attend promptly to driver-reported defects on return trips, assessing each defect for immediate action or scheduling into the maintenance plan.
• Educate drivers on basic vehicle care — correct tyre inflation, coolant checks, oil level monitoring, and how to identify early warning signs of mechanical problems.

Education:

For a Ugandan-trained professional, the following qualifications are required or preferred:

Minimum Academic Qualifications:

• Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) – O-Level with passes in Mathematics, Physics, and English (compulsory baseline).
• Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) – A-Level with technical subjects, OR a post-O-Level technical/vocational qualification from a UBTEB-accredited institution.
• Trade Certificate or Craft Certificate in Motor Vehicle Mechanics / Automotive Engineering from a recognized Ugandan technical institution such as Uganda Technical Colleges (UTC Elgon, UTC Kichwamba, UTC Lira), St. Joseph’s Technical Institute, Don Bosco Technical Institutes, or equivalent UBTEB-certified institution.
• Uganda Business and Technical Examinations Board (UBTEB) Grade III or Grade II Certificate in Motor Vehicle Mechanics is the minimum technical qualification required.
• A Diploma in Automotive Engineering, Motor Vehicle Technology, or Mechanical Engineering from a NITA-U accredited institution or recognised polytechnic is strongly preferred.
• A Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering or Automotive Engineering is an added advantage, though not required for this artisan-level role.

Professional / Technical Training (Required or Preferred):

• Heavy Commercial Vehicle (HCV) mechanical training — specific experience or certification on truck brands common in Uganda such as Isuzu, Mitsubishi Fuso, Mercedes-Benz Actros, MAN, Volvo, DAF, or Scania is highly valued.
• Air brake system training (compulsory for HGV mechanics working on pneumatic brake systems).
• Basic auto-electrical training covering 24V truck electrical systems, trailer wiring, and diagnostic tools.
• Occupational Health & Safety (OHS) / Workshop Safety training.
• Basic refrigeration / reefer unit maintenance training is a strong advantage given the reefer trucks in the fleet.
• Wheel alignment, balancing, and tyre management training.
• Training on electronic diagnostic tools / OBD-II / truck-specific diagnostic software (e.g., TEXA, Dealer Connect, DAVIE, or equivalent) is an advantage.
• First Aid training certificate.
• Valid Uganda driving permit (Class C or CE) is a strong advantage for test-driving repaired vehicles and responding to field breakdowns

Skills and Experience:

Minimum Experience:

• At least 3–5 years of hands-on experience as a mechanic specializing in heavy commercial vehicles (trucks, trailers, or heavy plant equipment) in Uganda or the East African region.
• Demonstrated experience performing preventive maintenance services, major mechanical repairs, and breakdown response on vehicles of 7.5 tons GVW and above.
• Prior workshop experience in a structured fleet environment (transport company, logistics operator, mining, construction, or agro-processing) is strongly preferred.
• Experience working on reefer trucks or refrigerated vehicles is a distinct advantage
• Familiarity with workshop documentation systems — job cards, parts requisitions, defect registers, and service records.

Core Technical Competencies:

• Engine Systems: Diagnosis and repair of diesel engines (inline-4, inline-6, and V-configuration), including fuel injection systems (mechanical and common rail), turbochargers, EGR systems, and cooling systems.
• Driveline & Transmission: Gearbox overhaul (manual and automated manual transmissions), clutch systems, propeller shafts, differentials, and axle assemblies.
• Braking Systems: Air brake systems, hydraulic brakes, ABS fault diagnosis, brake chamber overhaul, and slack adjuster setting.
• Suspension & Steering: Leaf Spring replacement, shock absorber servicing, king pin and bush replacement, wheel bearing replacement, and steering box/rack servicing.
• Electrical Systems: 24V truck electrical systems, starter and alternator servicing, trailer electrical connectors, and use of multimeters and diagnostic scanners.
• Hydraulics: Tipping gear hydraulic systems, power steering systems, and fifth wheel/coupling mechanisms on articulated trucks.
• Tyres: Inspection, rotation, inflation to correct pressures, and coordination of tyre replacement and retreading programmes.
• Reefer Units: Basic refrigeration unit maintenance, belt and filter replacement, temperature calibration, and fault identification for escalation.

Workshop & Soft Skills:

• Ability to read and interpret vehicle manufacturer service manuals, technical bulletins, and wiring diagrams.
• Disciplined and accurate job card completion — literate and numerate to the standard required for workshop documentation.
• Good time management — able to manage multiple jobs simultaneously without compromising repair quality.
• Physical fitness — the role involves heavy lifting, working in confined spaces, and extended periods on foot.

Attitude and Motivation: 

• The ideal candidate must demonstrate the following personal attributes:
• Safety-First Mindset: Understands that every vehicle repaired carries a driver and navigates public roads shared with other road users. Never releases a vehicle unless fully confident it is safe — no shortcuts, ever.
• Pride in Craftsmanship: Takes genuine pride in the quality of their work; a properly serviced, well-running truck is a source of personal satisfaction, not just a completed job card.
• Proactive & Preventive: Does not wait to be told — flags potential failure points during routine services before they become breakdowns, protecting fleet availability and driver safety.
• Reliable & Punctual: Understands that workshop absenteeism or tardiness directly impacts fleet availability and delivery commitments; consistently dependable.
• Honest & Accountable: Accurately records parts used, time taken, and faults found. Does not misappropriate materials or conceal incomplete work
• Calm Under Pressure: Remains focused and methodical during breakdown emergencies, peak periods, or when multiple urgent jobs compete for attention simultaneously.
• Eager to Learn: Embraces new vehicle technology, diagnostic tools, and technical training; understands that HGV technology continues to evolve and staying current is a professional responsibility.
• Team Player: Supports fellow mechanics, shares technical knowledge, and fosters a collaborative workshop culture — not territorial about skills or information.
• Physically Resilient: Accepts the demanding physical nature of the role — outdoor breakdown work, workshop environments, and extended hours during operational peaks — without compromising on safety or quality.
• Customer-Conscious (Internal): Recognises that the driver is the internal customer; treats driver-reported defects seriously, communicates repair status clearly, and returns vehicles in clean, roadworthy condition.

Competencies

The ideal candidate should demonstrate the following BPIL High Performance Behaviours:

• Common purpose
• Open communication
• Setting and Achieving Targets
• Sense of Urgency & Agility
• Accountability
• Collaborate Effectively
• Result-Driven Mindset
• Trust & Mutual Respect
• Customer Focused
• Innovation & Continuous Learning
• Sense of Belonging