Field Technical Trainer

Field Technical Trainer

Since our founder, Chip Wood, opened the doors to the first Tire Discounters over 45 years ago, we have been raising the bar in the tire and automotive service business. As the country's largest family-owned and operated automotive service provider, we've separated ourselves by treating customers and their cars with care and respect while focusing on transparency in pricing and providing the highest level of service.

Now with new products and services needed to maintain modern vehicles, Tire Discounters and its many other brands like Chip's Auto Glass and Butler Tires and Wheels are growing and expanding like wildfire.

Over 2000 strong, our team members are the best in the business, a true employer of choice. We separate ourselves by providing a variety of career paths, industry-leading training and development programs, clear advancement tracks, comprehensive benefit plans, and more!

The Field Technical Trainer (FTT) provides the leadership and training necessary to drive technical excellence and standardize world-class execution across all assigned locations. This role has the primary responsibility for elevating technician capabilities in highly specialized and emerging vehicle systems, including Electric Vehicles (EV), Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), and master-level diagnostics and programming.

FTT partners directly with store leadership to optimize repair accuracy, enhance workflow efficiency, and provide hands-on technical support for escalated diagnostic cases and complex calibrations. As a field-based technical leader and coach, the FTT champions technical excellence by reinforcing rigorous adherence to technical standards while fostering a culture of operational agility and continuous learning. Through hands-on coaching and mentorship, the FTT identifies and develops high-potential technicians, building a strong pipeline of future Master Technicians and strengthening the organization's technical capability.

Essential Functions:

• Deliver advanced technical training on programming and module configuration, including OEM/aftermarket workflows, required pre- and post-steps (battery support, network checks, DTC capture), and verification practices to ensure successful programming outcomes.
• Deliver advanced training on electrical diagnostics and diagnostic strategy, teaching structured testing methods (circuit verification, voltage drop testing, scan-tool strategy, data interpretation) to reduce trial-and-error and improve diagnostic confidence.
• Deliver EV diagnostics training and safety coaching, reinforcing high-voltage awareness, PPE requirements, safe work practices, and appropriate diagnostic approaches for EV-related concerns.
• Deliver ADAS dynamic and static calibration training, including prerequisites, target/setup requirements, environmental conditions, alignment considerations, and post-calibration validation to ensure consistent, compliant calibrations.
• Deliver master-level drivability and systems diagnostics training, including root-cause methods for intermittent concerns, network/system faults, sensor rationality, and advanced data analysis to improve repair accuracy.
• Provide on-site technical support for escalated and complex diagnostic cases by leading root-cause analysis, confirming findings, and guiding stores through correct repairs and verification steps.
• Support advanced troubleshooting and challenging repairs by advising on proper test plans, procedures, and tooling, and by helping technicians select the most effective repair path.
• Provide hands-on coaching during live repairs by working alongside technicians, modeling best practices, validating test results, and reinforcing repair verification and quality control routines.
• Partner with Store Managers and Technical Leaders to improve workflow efficiency and repair accuracy by observing shop processes, recommending practical improvements, and reinforcing disciplined diagnostic-to-repair workflows.
• Reduce comebacks and diagnostic errors by identifying repeat issues, addressing skill gaps through targeted coaching, reinforcing verification steps, and supporting corrective actions at the store level.
• Promote and reinforce adherence to company processes and quality standards by coaching technicians on consistent documentation, inspection, repair execution, and verification practices.
• Identify high-potential technicians and support their development toward Master Technician capability by assessing strengths and gaps, providing coaching plans, and recommending training milestones or certifications.
• Assist stores with equipment troubleshooting, programming setup, and calibration validation by ensuring proper tool readiness, correct setup, and consistent verification of outcomes.
• Ensure consistency in repair execution across the Zone by standardizing best practices, reinforcing technical expectations, and improving reliability of outcomes across locations.
• Provide feedback to R&D and Process Implementation leadership on recurring technical issues, observed training gaps, tooling needs, and process improvements based on field trends.
• Support implementation of new technical processes, tools, and service offerings by training teams, validating readiness, and identifying barriers to early adoption.
• Maintain and manage the assigned company vehicle, diagnostic equipment, and tools by keeping them organized, secure, up to date, and ready for field deployment.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Advanced diagnostic mastery, knowledge of electrical diagnostics, drivability systems, and complex network/system faults.
• Specialized EV & ADAS proficiency with deep technical expertise in high-voltage EV systems, safety protocols, and both static and dynamic ADAS calibration procedures
• Systems programming expertise, with mastery of J2534 reprogramming platforms, OEM/aftermarket workflows, and module configuration.
• Proven instructional ability to coach and mentor technicians in a hands-on shop environment, effectively modeling best practices and repair verification routines.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to present technical concepts to both store leadership and technical teams.
• Advanced analytical skills to perform root-cause analysis on escalated diagnostic cases and intermittent concerns.
• Self-directed ability to manage a multi-store zone, including scheduling, store-level prioritization, and field implementation of new processes.
• Disciplined management and maintenance of advanced diagnostic tools and a company-issued vehicle.
• Sharp eye for detail, high level of operational agility and adaptability to operate effectively in a dynamic field environment and lead through technical process changes.
• Commitment to high-voltage safety standards and the ability to enforce strict PPE and work-practice compliance within the field.
• Ability to partner with store management to optimize diagnostic-to-repair workflows, improving shop efficiency and reducing cycle times.
• Proficiency in assessing technician skill levels to identify and develop high-potential candidates for Master Technician career pathways.
• Ability to gather field-level data and provide actionable feedback to R&D leadership regarding tooling needs, training gaps, and process barriers.

Education and Work Experience:

• High school diploma or equivalent; completion of a technical or automotive training program preferred.
• Advanced automotive diagnostic certifications such as ASE Master Technician (or equivalent), Hybrid/Electric Vehicle Specialist, are highly desirable.
• Demonstrated experience diagnosing and repairing complex vehicle systems, including electrical and drivability concerns.
• Hands-on experience in high-voltage EV diagnostics, ADAS static and dynamic calibration, and complex electrical system troubleshooting.
• Prior experience serving in a training, mentoring, or technical supervisory role preferred.
• Previous experience as a technical trainer, lead technician, or mentor with a demonstrated ability to transfer complex knowledge to others is a strong plus.

Physical Demands:

• Frequent travel within the assigned territory is required.
• Must be able to drive/operate a motor vehicle and maintain a valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record.
• Ability to stand, bend, squat, reach, and move around vehicles for extended periods while working in a shop environment, including maneuvering around and underneath vehicles.
• Duties require ability to lift, carry, and transport diagnostic tools and equipment weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Technical dexterity with frequent and precise use of computers, diagnostic tablets, scan tools, and specialized programming equipment.
• Work environment includes regular exposure to typical automotive shop conditions including varying temperatures, noise, and automotive fumes.
• Work requires adherence to safety protocols, including high-voltage safety procedures and required personal protective equipment (PPE).