Transmission Technician

at JA Riggs Tractor Co dba Riggs Cat in Little Rock, Arkansas, United States

Job 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.

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 ha



Equal employment opportunity, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.

PI287808895