Build Your Future: Explore Automotive Manufacturing Careers

The ever-evolving automotive industry is driven by rapid innovation, changing consumer demands, and the development of new technologies. As the industry continues to transform, so do the opportunities for people interested in building a career in automotive manufacturing.

At JVIS, innovation is always in motion. As the industry advances, opportunities for skilled trades professionals continue to grow, creating career pathways for people interested in helping build the future of automotive manufacturing.

According to the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, 10.95 million jobs across the U.S. are supported by the auto industry with automotive manufacturing accounting for over 900,000 of those jobs, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. In Macomb County alone, there are over 22,000 automotive manufacturing jobs, according to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. Reflecting the industry’s continued growth, JVIS recently expanded into Ohio through the acquisition of Toledo Molding & Die, adding manufacturing facilities to the region and continuing more than 600 jobs.

Whether you’re interested in engineering, manufacturing, or beyond, the automotive industry offers opportunities to build valuable skills, advance your career, and help shape the future of mobility. 

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:

Maintenance Technician

Maintenance technicians are primarily responsible for ensuring that equipment is safely operated and meets its intended use optimizing equipment up-time. The purpose of the maintenance employee is to make scheduled and unscheduled repairs on all machines and related equipment used in manufacturing. Maintenance techs are vital to keeping production moving and on time in the auto manufacturing sector. 

Qualifications: Successful maintenance technicians should have proficiency in troubleshooting electrical, hydraulic, mechanical, and programmable controller systems, as well as operating machining equipment, is preferred. Familiarity with IATF 16949, ISO 9001, and ISO 14001 quality standards is beneficial. They are detail-oriented, adaptable, and able to diagnose equipment issues along with a commitment to workplace safety and preventative maintenance, while supporting a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Education and Experience: Maintenance techs should have a high school diploma or equivalent, along with 5–10 years of maintenance experience in a plastic injection molding manufacturing environment. 

Where it Can Lead: As a maintenance technician, some jobs to work toward are service technicians, electricians, maintenance supervisors or maintenance managers, allowing plenty of room to grow or move around in the 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. 

Qualifications: Candidates for a machine operator position are dependable, organized, safety-focused, and able to follow instructions while maintaining quality standards in a fast-paced manufacturing environment. 

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

Where it Can Lead: While you can contently make a career out of machine operation, some find interest in furthering their careers as CNC operators, quality control inspectors, or production supervisors.

Quality Technician

Quality technicians are responsible for ensuring product quality by conducting inspections, verifying compliance with quality standards, supporting assembly, molding and paint operations, and maintaining accurate documentation. The quality technician has the authority to put on hold any product or process not conforming to JVIS quality standards or the customer’s requirements. They also assist quality engineers and managers in problem solving. 

Qualifications: Successful Quality Technicians have strong attention to detail, excellent organizational and communication skills, and the ability to interpret quality standards and work instructions. Experience with quality inspections, statistical process control (SPC), color evaluations, and Microsoft Office is preferred, along with the flexibility to support production schedules as needed.

Education and Experience: 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. Familiarity with industry quality systems such as IATF 16949, ISO 9001, and ISO 14001 is beneficial.

Where it Can Lead: 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. 

Qualifications: Successful candidates are team players with the ability to build strong working relationships while leading cross-functional teams and providing direction to manufacturing. They should be able to communicate effectively, solve problems in a fast-paced production environment, and support compliance with IATF 16949, ISO 9001, and ISO 14001 standards.

Education and Experience: A high school diploma or GED is preferred, along with at least three years of experience in injection molding and plastics processing. Process technicians should also have hands-on experience with mold set-ups, troubleshooting, maintenance related issues, and state of the art robot controls.

Where it Can Lead: There are several different career goals for processing technicians that will likely require further in-house or external training and education. These include maintenance technicians, engineers, production supervisors, and manufacturing engineering managers. 

Coordinate Measuring Machine Technician

CMM technicians are primarily responsible for running CMM programs based on CAD data or prints supplied but the customer and performing dimensional studies based on that data. The CMM technician has the authority to coordinate requests for layout inspection to ensure that results are provided to the appropriate parties in a timely manner to prevent project or engineering change scheduling delays. Essentially, CMM techs help ensure vehicle components are built properly and to the company’s standards. 

Qualifications: Successful candidates are proficient in PC-DMIS, GD&T, blueprint reading, and statistical analysis, with the ability to write, edit, and debug CMM measurement programs. Experience using precision measuring tools, performing part and fixture inspections, and maintaining compliance with IATF 16949, ISO 9001, and ISO 14001 is essential. Candidates should also have an understanding of geometry, trigonometry, and working with Microsoft Office applications.

Education and Experience: An associate degree is preferred, along with at least one year of CMM operation experience. Candidates should have experience with Brown & Sharpe PC-DMIS software, metrology, gage repeatability and reproducibility, computer information systems and programming, and automotive OEM quality requirements.

Where it Can Lead: Many CMM techs go on to become mechanical engineers, quality assurance, or operational managers. Techs are able to rise in the ranks by gaining work experience, taking on internal or external training courses, and obtaining a higher 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. They ensure that all policies, procedures, and work instructions are used and adhered to by employees. They are also responsible for meeting the company’s goals and objectives. 

Qualifications: Successful candidates have strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills, with the ability to manage manpower, support production flow, ensure quality standards, and promote a safe, team-oriented work environment. Experience working with IATF 16949, ISO 9001, and ISO 14001 standards is preferred.

Education and Experience: A high school diploma or GED is preferred, along with some college or technical education in management or supervision. Candidates should have at least one year of manufacturing experience, while prior experience is considered a plus.

Where it Can Lead: Common next steps for a production supervisor include production manager, plant manager, and operations supervisor. 

Career Opportunities at JVIS

The positions highlighted above are just a few of the many career opportunities available at JVIS. From skilled trades and engineering to production, quality, operations, and leadership, there are a variety of roles for people at every stage of their career.

At JVIS, we provide more than just a job, we provide a place to build a career. Whether you’re entering the workforce, exploring a career change, or ready to take the next step in manufacturing, JVIS offers opportunities to learn new skills, grow professionally, and build a future in the automotive industry.

Some of the benefits JVIS employees enjoy include:

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

These are just some of the ways JVIS supports its employees as they build rewarding, long-term careers. Explore all of our available opportunities and find where a career at JVIS can take you.

Want to be part of our future? Check out our openings at  JVIS.us/careers.