Auto Diesel Mechanic

Company: National Radio Astronomy Observatory
Location: Magdalena
Posted on: February 1, 2026

Job Description:

Job Description National Radio Astronomy Observatory Title: Auto Diesel Mechanic Location: Old Hwy 60, New Mexico, USA• NRAO Very Large Array, 183 VLA RD, Magdalena, New Mexico, United States of America Requisition Number: 38 Job Family: Skilled Maintenance Pay Type: Hourly Required Education: CRA Position Description: Position Summary The National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) is an exciting and prestigious research facility that plays a vital role in the study of the universe. The Observatory operates a variety of radio telescopes that span the globe, including the famous Very Large Array (VLA) in New Mexico, the Green Bank Telescope in West Virginia, and the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) in Chile. These telescopes are among the most advanced in the world, allowing astronomers to explore the universe in unprecedented detail. The NRAO has an opportunity for an experienced Auto Diesel Mechanic in our Engineering Services Division at the Very Large Array (VLA). Under minimum supervision, maintains automobiles, buses, trucks, and hy-rail vehicles in good operating condition. Must possess skills and experience comparable to professional certification in diesel heavy equipment repair and maintenance. . The position is based at the Very Large Array, 50 miles west of Socorro, NM. Socorro is a small, historical town in the Rio Grande Valley, 75 miles south of Albuquerque. What You Will be Doing Under minimum supervision and instruction, essential duties and responsibilities will include but are not limited to: - Examines vehicles to determine extent of damage or malfunction, using computer diagnostic equipment. - Plans work procedure. - Raises vehicle with hydraulic jack or hoist, when required. - Removes unit such as engine, transmission, or differential. - Disassembles unit and inspects parts for wear or malfunction. - Repairs or replaces parts such as pistons, rods, gears, valves, bearings, etc. - Overhauls or replaces parts such as carburetors, blowers, generators, distributors, starters, pumps, etc. - Rebuilds parts such as crankshafts, cylinder blocks, etc. - Rewires ignition system, lights, and instrument panel. - Relines and adjusts brakes, aligns front end, repairs or replaces shock absorbers, and solders leaks in radiator, etc. - Mends damaged body and/or fenders by hammering out or filling in dents and welding broken parts. - Paints repaired areas. - Replaces and adjusts headlights. - Installs and repairs accessories such as heaters, mirrors, windshield wipers, etc. - May be required to secure pricing information from a variety of sources, including soliciting bids from vendors. - Records all repairs and maintenance for future reference, maintains PC database as required. - Operates all equipment repaired in Shop, including heavy equipment. - Designs, builds, and modifies a variety of equipment for special usage. - Proactive compliance with NRAO and legal safety policies and procedures in own work area is expected. - Other duties may be assigned. Work Environment While performing the duties of this job, the employee works in a shop area, and works outdoors. The employee works with heavy equipment and machinery, as well as power tools, and may be required to lift up to 50 pounds, unassisted. The employee must be able to climb over and crawl under equipment. Specific vision abilities include close vision, color and depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. The employee is required to drive and/or operate a wide range of types of vehicle. The work site is typically noisy. Who You Are: - You have a high school diploma or equivalent combination of education and experience - While not required, you may have two years of education or formal training in the auto diesel technical field. Diesel Mechanic Certificate from a technical school or Master of Automobile Technician Certificate by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE). - You have two years of relevant experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience - While not required, you may have six years of experience in auto diesel equipment or equivalent combination of education and experience. Hydraulic experience strongly preferred. Ability to use diagnostic test equipment preferred. Competency Summary Must be able to weld. Must be able to read repair and maintenance manuals. Must possess and maintain a valid NM Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) with no transmission restrictions; Class B (Class A preferred) minimum with passenger bus endorsement required, or must obtain CDL within twelve months of hire date. The ability to communicate clearly and precisely, both verbally and in writing is necessary. Physical Requirements The physical demands and the work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. The employee must be able to climb ladders while carrying equipment and tools, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, and operate a variety of tools and equipment. The employee must be able to lift and/or move up to 30 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Must be able to communicate clearly and precisely, both verbally and in writing. Specific vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, color and depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Safety Sensitive The selected candidate must successfully pass a post-offer, pre-employment/pre-placement drug screen. Failure to pass the screen will disqualify the candidate from employment consideration for a period of six months from the date of the results. Observatory employees must be authorized to work in the United States Total Rewards: Associated Universities, Inc. (AUI) offers a comprehensive total rewards package for this position, subject to eligibility requirements. We are committed to serving our employees and their families with an extensive and competitive compensation and benefits package that supports our employees’ overall well-being and career growth. Compensation AUI strives to attract and retain dedicated, highly qualified, competent, and motivated employees by offering competitive compensation and recognition for performance. Factors which may affect starting pay within this range may include; education, experience, skills, competencies, other qualifications of the successful candidate, as well as internal equity and labor market conditions. Benefits: AUI’s benefits package addresses the needs of employees and their families with most benefits beginning on the first day of employment. AUI provides excellent paid time off (13 holidays, annual accrual of up to 24 vacation days and 15 sick days, additional time off for doctor/dentist visits, and 8 weeks of paid parental leave). Medical, dental and vision plans are effective on the first day of employment. AUI’s retirement benefit contributes an amount equal to 10 percent of a qualified participant’s base pay with no required employee contribution; we also offer an optional supplemental, tax-deferred plan for employee retirement contributions. Application Instructions: Select the “Apply Now” button. Please be prepared to upload your current CV/Resume and a cover letter describing interest and suitability for the position Equal Opportunity Employer Statement: AUI is an equal opportunity employer. To view our complete statement, please visit https://public.nrao.edu/careers/. If you require reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, you may submit your request by sending an email to resumes@nrao.edu.PM20 PIed09378b7e1e-25405-37558405

Keywords: National Radio Astronomy Observatory, Santa Fe , Auto Diesel Mechanic, Engineering , Magdalena, New Mexico