Automotive Manufacturing & Robotics Journalist

Automotive News is seeking an ambitious, forward-looking journalist to cover one of the most consequential shifts in the global automotive industry: the transformation of how vehicles are designed, sourced, built and delivered.

This role sits at the intersection of manufacturing, robotics, artificial intelligence, supply chains and industrial strategy. The successful candidate will help industry leaders understand how emerging technologies, geopolitical forces, workforce changes and new production models are reshaping the automotive value chain.

Rather than covering a traditional beat, this journalist will own a set of critical questions facing the industry:

• How will AI change engineering, sourcing and manufacturing?
• What will the factory of the future look like?
• How are automakers and suppliers building more resilient supply chains?
• Which technologies are truly transformative and which are overhyped?
• How will labor, productivity, costs and competitiveness evolve?
• Which companies are best positioned to win in this new industrial era?

This journalist will break news, develop deep sourcing, deliver analysis and identify emerging trends before they become mainstream. They will produce journalism across platforms and formats, collaborating closely with our video, social, audio, data and events teams.

The ideal candidate combines strong reporting instincts with intellectual curiosity, understands how professional audiences consume information across channels, and is comfortable serving as a visible representative of the Automotive News brand.

Location: The Journalist will work from one of the Crain offices if within commuting distance or remote from a state in which Crain has employees: AZ, CA, CO, IL, MD, MA, MI, MN, NV, NY, NC, OH, OR, TN, TX, VA, WA, WI, and Washington, DC. Will work CT or ET hours.

Key Responsibilities

Own coverage of manufacturing innovation and industrial transformation

• Break exclusive news on manufacturing strategy, factory investments, supply chain developments and emerging technologies.
• Cover how AI is transforming engineering, design, purchasing, logistics and production operations.
• Report on advances in robotics, automation, autonomous systems and next-generation manufacturing technologies.
• Examine how digital twins, simulation, additive manufacturing, software-defined production systems and advanced analytics are changing vehicle development and production economics.
• Track the evolution of supply chain strategies, sourcing decisions, reshoring efforts and critical materials procurement.
• Analyze how geopolitical shifts, trade policy and industrial policy affect manufacturing footprints and investment decisions.
• Explain the implications of automation and technology adoption for labor, skills, productivity and competitiveness.
• Identify emerging startups, technologies and business models influencing the future of automotive manufacturing.

Deliver differentiated journalism

• Produce exclusive news, enterprise reporting, investigations, profiles and explanatory journalism.
• Translate complex technical and industrial topics into clear, actionable insights for automotive decision-makers.
• Help readers understand not just what happened, but why it matters and what comes next.
• Develop a strong network of sources across automakers, suppliers, technology companies, startups, universities, investors, consultants and policymakers.

Create multi-platform journalism

• Collaborate with video, audio, social media and data teams to extend reporting across platforms.
• Contribute to newsletters, podcasts, video programs, data products and live journalism experiences.
• Work with colleagues in North America, Europe and Asia to identify global trends and produce coordinated coverage.
• Serve as an on-camera or on-stage representative of Automotive News when appropriate.

Events & Industry Engagement

• Moderate panels, interviews and discussions at Automotive News events.
• Represent Automotive News at industry conferences, manufacturing facilities and technology showcases.
• Build relationships with executives, engineers, innovators, investors and policymakers shaping the future of mobility and manufacturing.

Required Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in journalism, communications or related field, or equivalent experience.
• Three or more years of journalism experience.
• Demonstrated success producing high-impact business journalism and breaking exclusive news.
• Experience covering automotive, manufacturing, technology, transportation, industrials, business or related sectors.
• Exceptional reporting, interviewing and writing skills.
• Ability to explain complex technical topics in clear, engaging language.
• Strong news judgment and analytical thinking.
• Ability to connect technological developments to business strategy and competitive advantage.
• Experience developing executive-level sources.
• Comfort working across text, video, audio, social and live journalism formats.
• Familiarity with data analysis, financial disclosures and regulatory documents.
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally.
• Interest in experimenting with new storytelling formats and audience engagement approaches.

What Success Looks Like

This journalist establishes Automotive News as the industry's essential source for understanding the future of manufacturing, supply chains and industrial technology.

They consistently break news, identify emerging trends before competitors and develop deep sourcing across automakers, suppliers, technology companies, startups, researchers and investors.

Their journalism helps readers understand:

• How manufacturing is evolving in an era of AI and automation.
• How supply chains are being redesigned for resilience and competitiveness.
• How technology is changing engineering, sourcing and production.
• Which innovations will meaningfully reshape the industry.
• How industrial strategy will influence the next generation of automotive winners.

About Automotive News

Automotive News is the leading source of news, data and insight for the global automotive industry. For more than 100 years, Automotive News has connected industry leaders with the reporting, analysis and intelligence they need to make better business decisions.

As we enter our second century, we are evolving how we deliver journalism across platforms, formats and experiences to serve an industry undergoing profound transformation.

This position is exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act and is not eligible for overtime pay.

Pay Transparency Disclosure

The estimated salary range for this position is $60,000 to $90,000.

The final salary offering will take into account experience, accomplishments and location. In addition to base salary, Crain offers competitive benefits, including retirement plan savings contributions and bonus opportunities based on individual and company performance.

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Brand Overview:

Since 1925, Automotive News has been the go-to place for all the news that is happening among automotive retailers, suppliers and manufacturers. Whether it is breaking news sent to a phone, digital editions and web products delivered to a desktop, or stories in the award-winning print edition, Automotive News covers the news everywhere it happens around the world. Breaking news, data, daily newscasts, webinars, conferences and events are just some of the offerings. AutomotiveNews , Automotive News Europe and Automotive News China are created locally and are backed by a global team of 50 editors and reporters, as well as a commitment to journalistic excellence.

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About Crain Communications:

Crain Communications is a leading business news and information company with a portfolio of 24 media brands that provide indispensable coverage and data for professionals globally and across sectors, including advertising, automotive, finance, healthcare, staffing, and workforce solutions. Many of Crain's brands are the most influential media properties in the industries and communities they serve, including Ad Age, Automotive News, Pensions & Investments, Modern Healthcare, Staffing Industry Analysts, as well as Crain's regional business brands. For more than a century, our dedication to deep sector expertise and journalistic integrity has enabled us to provide trusted insights across all our platforms, empowering today's business leaders to make industry-shaping decisions. To learn more about Crain Communications, visitcrain.com.

Environmental Demands

Where you work matters. The job posting will provide specific information on where and when your amazing work would be performed. Employee work location is determined by the needs of the specific team and may include on-site, hybrid or remote. Employee work location is subject to change.

• An "in-office" role would require the employee to come into the office most days with occasional flexibility to work remotely if tasks can be performed elsewhere and if the manager approves.
• A "remote" role would allow an employee to work from a home office that is in one of the states Crain does business in. We can only employ a remote / "work from home" employee if they reside in one of these states: AZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, IL, MD, MA, MI, MN, NV, NY, NC, OH, OR, TN, TX, VA, WA, WI, and Washington, DC.
• A "hybrid" role would be a mix of in-office and remote work. There may be a specified schedule for coming into the office or it could be at the discretion of the employee with the manager's approval, subject to change.
• Employees who live within a reasonable commute distance from a Crain office are expected to work on-site 3 days per week.

Many positions will also include work done in "the field." Depending on the role, this may include conducting in-person interviews, attending work-related events, meeting with sources or clients. Specifics will be noted in the job posting but are subject to change as a role evolves. Employees may be exposed to adverse environmental conditions, specifically during field work. Other typical job functions are performed under conditions such as those found in general office work.

Travel to cover news stories/events, meetings with clients, and to our geographically separated offices may be required. It is the nature of many positions to experience non-standard working hours and be on-call when needed for responding to email, meeting with clients, attending work-related events, story development or breaking news. Most employees perform work Monday through Friday, although early-morning, evening or weekend shifts may be required. Work schedule and travel requirements are subject to change as a role and needs evolve over time.

Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of many Crain jobs and are subject to change.

Physical activities will include frequent in-person or virtual interactions. For most positions, it is essential to be able to remain at a desk/computer workstation for prolonged periods, perform computer-related tasks, and create/maintain documents within filing systems. Must have close visual acuity to perform an activity, such as preparing and analyzing reports and information, transcribing, viewing a computer terminal, or extensive reading. The typical physical requirements are light work-exerting up to 25lbs of force occasionally and/or up to 10lbs of force frequently and may include climbing, pushing, standing, hearing, walking, reaching, grasping, kneeling, stooping, and repetitive motion. Some positions will have additional physical requirements, including exerting up to 50lbs of force to move and/or carry equipment, supplies, files, or other materials as the role requires.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions and meet the environmental and physical demands of the role.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)