Fleet Maintenance Manager

About the role

Diesel Maintenance Experience Required RATP Dev USA is seeking an experienced, hands-on Maintenance Manager with strong diesel maintenance and automotive maintenance experience to lead our transit maintenance operation. Diesel maintenance experience is REQUIRED for this position. This is not a management-only role. We are looking for a leader who understands diesel engines, vehicle systems, diagnostics, troubleshooting, preventive maintenance, and the day-to-day realities of running a busy maintenance shop. The ideal candidate brings a combination of strong diesel/automotive maintenance experience and proven management and leadership skills. You should be comfortable leading supervisors and technicians while also spending time on the shop floor, discussing repairs, troubleshooting vehicle issues, reviewing maintenance work, and helping the team keep the fleet safe, reliable, and operational. If you are a maintenance leader who can manage the shop, understand the work, talk diesel with technicians, and jump in when the operation needs you, we want to hear from you.

Responsibilities

• Maintenance Operations: Lead and oversee all vehicle and facility maintenance activities; administer a comprehensive preventive maintenance program; ensure vehicles are maintained safely, reliably, and according to established standards; monitor fleet availability, vehicle downtime, repair quality, and maintenance productivity; review maintenance reports and identify recurring mechanical or operational issues; work directly with supervisors and technicians to resolve complex maintenance problems; develop procedures and processes that improve maintenance efficiency and fleet reliability; respond to after-hours maintenance emergencies as needed.
• Leadership & Team Development: Establish a clear vision, mission, and goals for the maintenance department; lead, coach, and develop maintenance supervisors and technicians; create a positive, respectful, inclusive, and accountable work environment; delegate responsibilities effectively while maintaining accountability; support professional and technical development through coaching and mentoring; promote teamwork, communication, safety, and continuous improvement.
• Safety & Compliance: Maintain a strong safety culture throughout the maintenance operation; ensure compliance with OSHA, DOT, EPA, ADA, EEOC, and applicable Federal, State, and Local regulations; work closely with Safety and Training personnel to identify hazards and implement corrective actions; ensure maintenance employees receive required safety and regulatory training; maintain compliance with preventive maintenance and environmental requirements.
• Budget, Vendors & Inventory: Develop and manage operating and capital maintenance budgets; monitor maintenance expenses and control departmental costs; manage vendors and contractual maintenance services; negotiate warranty claims and vendor service issues; oversee parts, tools, equipment, and maintenance inventory; identify cost-saving opportunities without compromising safety or fleet reliability; recommend capital improvements and equipment purchases.
• Labor & Employee Relations: Work effectively in a unionized maintenance environment; represent the Maintenance Department in labor-management meetings; partner with Human Resources regarding employee relations, staffing, performance, and development; maintain compliance with labor agreements and company policies; build strong relationships with employees at all levels.

Requirements

• Strong diesel maintenance experience — REQUIRED.
• Significant hands-on experience with diesel engines and heavy-duty vehicle maintenance.
• Strong understanding of diesel engine systems, electrical systems, transmissions, brakes, HVAC, suspension, steering, and other vehicle systems.
• Ability to diagnose, troubleshoot, and discuss complex mechanical and electrical issues with technicians.
• Experience with preventive and corrective maintenance on diesel-powered vehicles.
• Ability to evaluate repair recommendations and determine appropriate courses of action.
• Transit bus, commercial vehicle, truck, fleet, or heavy-duty diesel experience strongly preferred.
• Strong automotive or fleet maintenance background.
• Experience managing vehicle inspections, repairs, preventive maintenance, and fleet availability.
• Knowledge of maintenance shop operations, tools, equipment, parts, and repair processes.
• Ability to understand technical maintenance reports and evaluate the quality and completion of repairs.
• Experience working with vehicle maintenance systems and diagnostic equipment.
• Proven experience managing maintenance personnel, supervisors, technicians, or a similar skilled workforce.
• Ability to effectively delegate responsibilities while maintaining accountability.
• Strong coaching, mentoring, communication, and team-building skills.
• Ability to establish expectations and performance standards for the maintenance team.
• Experience managing budgets, vendors, inventory, schedules, and maintenance operations.
• Union/labor-management experience preferred.
• Maintenance management or supervisory experience — REQUIRED.
• Demonstrated experience leading technicians and/or maintenance supervisors.
• Strong knowledge of diesel engines, vehicle systems, diagnostics, and preventive maintenance.