Automotive Manufacturing: The Jobs of the Future

The auto industry is not the same as it was 20, 10 or even five years ago. With AI, augmented reality, autonomous and electric vehicles changing the way we look at transportation. Innovation and creating the next big trend in consumer demand are what drives production. It’s safe to say this is one of the most exciting times in the auto industry’s history. As the industry continues to grow and expand at a rapid pace, more and more new job opportunities are opening each day.

In fact, auto industry manufacturers employ 9.9 million jobs across the U.S., which accounts for 5.1 percent of private-sector employment. Today’s auto manufacturing careers are well-paying, innovative and highly rewarding. Now’s the time to get in on the ground floor and be a part of the revolution.

Here are some of the most in-demand jobs in the auto manufacturing sector and a look at how you can jump start your career in this fast-paced, evolving industry.

Machine Operators

Machine Operators are responsible for a number of machine functions like setting up the equipment, loading materials, operating the machine and optimizing efficiency. People in this role make sure the parts being produced meet customers’ requirements. However, there may be times when the machine operator will be required to perform other duties as requested through management or their supervisor.

Experience:

Machine operators need to have strong math and analytic skills, be able to follow procedures closely and troubleshoot issues with their machines when necessary.

Education and Advancement Path:

For entry level positions, machine operators will require a high school diploma or GED and on-the-job training. Some more advance machine operator positions will necessitate further training from a technical school, this could include things like CAD/CAM technology and software training.

The great part about getting in positions like a machine operator is that you can contently make a career out of machine operation or you may find there is another job in the auto manufacturing industry that interests and excites you. People looking ahead may be interested in becoming CNC operators, quality control inspectors or production supervisors.

Quality Technician

Quality technicians are responsible for ensuring adherence to quality standards and procedures. The quality technician has the authority to put on hold any product or process not conforming to JVIS quality standards or customer’s requirements. They also assist quality engineers and managers in problem solving.

Experience:

Quality engineers should have prior quality assurance experience, including in a supervisory role. They should have direct working knowledge of general blueprint reading, excellent interpersonal skills and writing competency.

Education and career path:

Quality technicians should have a high school diploma or GED, as well as a minimum of two years’ inspection experience in an automotive injection molding environment and two years’ experience in a quality assurance supervisory role.

Many quality techs later pursue careers as quality managers, directors of quality, supply chain managers or operations managers.

Process Technician

A process technician is a manufacturing support person who facilitates process adherence through training, monitoring and managing process methods. These individuals are hyper-focused on customer satisfaction through continuous improvement, optimization and cost reduction.

There are a number of process technician specialties in the automotive manufacturing space including paint, mold and general process techs.

Experience:

Many processing techs can get in on the ground floor with organization, linear thinking and leadership skills, paired with on-the-job training. Some positions may need up to three years of experience in a specialized skill like plastic injection molding, robotics or painting.

Education and Advancement Path:

Manufacturing experience and a high school diploma or GED preferred.

Processing technicians may set their sights on different careers in the automotive industry. Some of the common career goals for them are maintenance technician, engineer, production supervisor and manufacturing engineering manager. These career moves will likely require further in-house or external training and education.

Maintenance Technician

Maintenance Technicians are in charge of making all scheduled and unscheduled repairs on machines and related equipment used in manufacturing. They maintain building systems and ensure equipment is safely operating and meets intended use, optimizing equipment up-time. This includes installation, set up, preventative maintenance and adjustments required by technical service instructions. Maintenance techs are vital to keeping production moving and on time in the auto manufacturing sector.

Experience:

As one would expect, people interested in this career should have maintenance experience in plastic injection molding manufacturing environment and be proficient in troubleshooting and repairing electrical, hydraulic, mechanical and programmable controller problems. They should also gain experience in operating various machining equipment.

Education and Advancement Path:

Maintenance techs need approximately three to five years of maintenance experience and expertise.

Maintenance techs have plenty of room to grow or move around in the auto industry. Some jobs that make sense to work toward are service technicians, electricians, machine operators, maintenance supervisors or maintenance managers.

Coordinate Measuring Machine Technician

CMM technicians are primarily responsible for running CMM programs to make precise measurements when parts are welded together or taken apart. Technicians interpret CAD data or blueprints supplied by the customer and performs dimensional studies based on that data. CMM techs coordinate requests for layout inspection to ensure results are provided to the appropriate parties in a timely manner to prevent project or engineering change scheduling delays. Essentially, CMM techs are a major piece of a team’s quality assurance arm. They help ensure vehicle components are built properly and to the company’s standards.

Experience:

CMM techs usually need a minimum of one-year in CMM operation, Brown and Sharpe PC-DMIS software, metrology and its application and gage repeatability and reproducibility.  Experience in computer information systems (i.e. Microsoft windows, Excel, Word) and computer programming.  CMM techs should be proficient with PC-DMIS, Datapage, GD&T, statistics and blueprint reading.  Additionally, CMM tech hav to write, edit and debug CMM measurement programs, possess mathematical ability for calculations necessary throughout part layout or sample evaluation and have a working knowledge of geometry and trigonometry. 

Education and Advancement Path:

CMM techs are not required to have a degree beyond a high school diploma or GED. Because of the specialized skills required, some CMM techs have a certificate, associate degree or concentrated training in manufacturing technology from a community college or technical school. Courses future CMM techs can expect to take in training include blueprint reading, production processes and use of dimensional measurement programs and tools.

The great thing about the auto manufacturing industry is there is a lot of room for growth and advancement. Many CMM techs go on to become mechanical engineers, quality assurance or operational managers. Techs looking to rise in the ranks do so through gaining work experience, taking on internal or external training courses and obtaining a higher degree. Some CMM techs increase their career prospects by earning a bachelor’s degree in the field they plan to build up to.

Production Supervisor

The production supervisor’s primary responsibility is to ensure safety, quality, productivity and housekeeping in assigned areas. This person ensures all policies, procedures and work instructions are used and adhered to by employees. The production supervisor also is responsible for meeting the company’s goals, and objectives.

Experience:

Because production supervisors manage and oversee staff manufacturing products, they must have strong leadership, communication and organizational skills. Production supervisors typically rise to their position throughout the years. They gain training through entry-level and pre-management positions and pair that with training specified to production supervision and company policies.

Education and Advancement Path:

Production supervisors are required to have at least three years of experience in automotive.

Careers for Everyone

There is truly something for everyone in the automotive manufacturing space. In addition to the jobs we discussed above, there are opportunities in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, lighting, dimensional management, fixture engineering, tooling, industrial design, product design and project management. There are also opportunities in less traditional manufacturing careers like HR, marketing, sales, accounting, research and more. JVIS is currently hiring for several of these positions, as well as a number of others. View JVIS’ open positions at JVIS.plansource.com/jobsearch.

We’re always looking to add creative, diverse and motivated people to our growing team to help us continue to build advance, next-level components. JVIS employees are part of a family of talented employees that use the latest technologies to offer the most innovative solutions to our customers. Some of the professional benefits they enjoy Include:

• Generous insurance coverage (healthcare, vision and dental)
• 401K retirement plan
• Vacation pay
• Holiday pay
• Competitive salaries
• Professional growth opportunities

Learn more about working with JVIS and our many job opportunities by visiting JVIS.us/careers.

Testimonials

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