Senior Diesel Mechanic/Service Advisor at Schneider National Inc.
Army mechanic finds great pay and advancement opportunities at Schneider National.
by Warren Duffie

Jeffrey Klingelhoefer is a pillar of calm and strength in the face of chaos.

As a mechanic in Iraq, he repaired Hummers and Light Medium Tactical Vehicles (LMTVs) used to transport troops and supplies to and from combat hot zones. Today, working for Schneider National Inc. – one of America’s leading trucking companies – Klingelhoefer ensures that stressed truckers can get their rigs fixed, hit the road again and haul their multimillion-dollar loads.

“There are a lot of similarities between my Army career and civilian one,” he said. “In the Army, I dealt with a lot of commanders who wanted repairs done immediately and demanded answers if that couldn’t be done. The truckers I work with now are often stressed out and anxious to get back on the road. In each case, you have to be respectful and be honest about how long the repairs will take, what parts are needed and that you’ll get them back behind the wheel as soon as possible. A lot of diplomacy is involved.” 

On the Job
Based at a large garage in Edwardsville, Ill., Klingelhoefer’s official job title is senior diesel mechanic/service advisor. This two-part designation requires a lot of multitasking. The former staff sergeant works from 1230 to 2400 – spending much of his day doing repair work on truck transmissions, clutches, lights, brakes and drivetrains. The rest of his shift involves talking to truck drivers, scheduling repairs and overseeing 10 mechanics.

“My transition from Army vehicles to trucks was pretty smooth,” said Klingelhoefer, 28. “In the military, I worked on a lot of General Motors products, so there’s a lot of crossover. The most challenging part of my job is prioritizing repair jobs and getting them done and out the door.”

In Uniform
An Illinois native, Klingelhoefer joined the Army in 2001 for the career training and to honor his family heritage: “My grandfather was a Soldier and used to tell stories about his experiences. That really appealed to me. I knew I wanted to be a mechanic since I was a kid. By the time I was 10 years old, my dad had taught me to wash and wax a car, as well as change the oil and tires.”

Klingelhoefer completed basic training and mechanic school at Fort Jackson, S.C. Within a couple of years, he shipped out to Iraq – serving in Tikrit and Mosul. He wrapped up his military career in Florida before separating in 2007.

The Transition
Klingelhoefer’s connection with Schneider National – a 2010 Top 100 Military Friendly Employer – stemmed from a cool-looking advertisement. The ad stated that working as a mechanic for Schneider was like being part of an elite pit crew. A die-hard NASCAR fan, Klingelhoefer was immediately drawn. He spoke with the representative about a job. After two phone interviews and an in-person interview, he was hired.

“The pay is good,” he said. “I had to adjust from a salary to hourly pay, but I make around the same as I did in the Army – enough to pay my bills and take care of my family. I really like the advancement opportunities with Schneider. There are many training and educational seminars and you can move up according to your desire and work ethic.”  

How’d You Get That Job?
Klingelhoefer was walking by the base ACAP office when he saw a Schneider representative distributing fliers emblazoned with a sleek race car. The flier stated that working as a mechanic for Schneider was like being part of an elite pit crew. A die-hard NASCAR fan, Klingelhoefer was immediately drawn. He spoke with the representative about a job. After two phone interviews and an in-person interview, he was hired. 

“I really like the advancement opportunities with Schneider. There are many training and educational seminars and you can move up according to your desire and work ethic.” 

Klingelhoefer's Advice
Have a game plan. Know what you want to do when you get out. If you need more education, get it.

Do a lot of research. I’ve known people who left the military and went back in because they couldn’t find work. They didn’t plan properly.