Diagnostic Automotive Technician / A-Level Mechanic | $90k-$130k+

Diagnostic Automotive Technician / A-Level Mechanic

AutoShop Recruiting is partnered with a stable, established, family-owned independent repair shop in St. Clair Shores, MI, to hire a true Diagnostic Automotive Technician / A-Level Mechanic.

This is not a search for another light repair or maintenance technician. The shop already has people who can handle maintenance, brakes, tires, suspension, and lighter general repair. The gap is clear: they need the horse. The technician who can take the hard cars, diagnose the problems that slow the shop down, produce results, and help raise the overall skill level of the team.

The right person is mature, steady, self-motivated, strong diagnostically, able to produce, and willing to help the team without bringing ego or drama.

Compensation Structure

• $90,000-$130,000+ annual earning range for the right A-level technician
• Likely hybrid pay structure: strong guarantee plus incentivized bonus after a certain number of produced hours
• Final structure may be customized based on the candidate's experience, skillset, production ability, and fit
• The shop is not looking for a bargain technician; they are looking for someone who can truly move the needle

What You'll Be Doing

• Diagnose drivability, electrical, check-engine-light, misfire, no-start, intermittent, engine performance, and mechanical concerns
• Use scan tools, testing procedures, wiring diagrams, digital inspections, and a real diagnostic process to verify failures
• Handle the harder vehicles and problem jobs that slow down a general repair shop
• Perform high-quality repairs across domestic, Asian/import, European, and miscellaneous daily-driver vehicles
• Document findings clearly and communicate effectively with service advisors, ownership, and the team
• Produce your own hours while also helping younger technicians learn and move in the right direction
• Work within shop process and expectations without needing to be babysat
• Help raise the level of the shop while protecting quality, productivity, and customer trust

What We're Looking For

• True A-level, master technician, or high-level diagnostic technician background
• Strong drivability, electrical, check-engine-light, no-start, misfire, and intermittent problem-solving ability
• Strong general repair skillset across multiple vehicle lines
• Production-minded technician who still takes diagnostics, documentation, and communication seriously
• Independent thinker and independent worker who can take ownership without constant oversight
• Team player who can communicate with different personalities and help develop younger technicians
• Comfortable in a real independent shop environment with multiple vehicle lines and different types of repair work each day
• Process-minded, self-motivated, professional, and willing to follow expectations
• Valid driver's license
• ASE certifications, master technician credentials, L1, or advanced diagnostic training are a plus

Shop Setup & Systems

• 8 total bays
• 7 full above-ground bays/lifts
• 1 drive-on alignment lift
• Newer alignment equipment
• Scan tools, specialty tools, and ongoing investment in what technicians need to produce
• Digital inspections and clear process expectations
• Mitchell1 shop management system
• General repair focus with roughly 65% domestic and 35% Asian, European, and miscellaneous vehicles

Benefits & Perks

• Health insurance, Dental insurance, Vision insurance
• Paid holidays
• Paid uniforms
• Paid training and training support
• No weekends
• Stable, established shop with a strong customer base
• Family-owned independent environment
• Tool allowance may be negotiable depending on the candidate

Culture Fit

The shop is a family-owned independent shop where ownership is active in the business and cares deeply about the customer experience, the results, and the direction of the team. They are building toward a stronger leadership structure and a shop that can operate at a higher level with the right people in place. People who fit well here are independent thinkers, independent workers, team players, self-motivated, good communicators, comfortable with different personalities, willing to follow process, and able to take ownership. People who do not fit well here: big ego, drama, wrench thrower, someone who needs chaos, someone who cannot communicate, someone who does not want structure, or someone who thinks talent gives them permission to be difficult. When you are at work, the work needs to be the priority.

Important to Know

• This is not a gravy-work-only role
• This is not a maintenance-only or light repair role
• A dealer background may be considered, but the person must be able to adapt to an independent general repair environment with multiple product lines
• The shop is looking for someone who can explain how they diagnose, document clearly, communicate well, and produce real results

How to Apply

If you are a true A-level diagnostic technician who can diagnose, repair, produce, communicate, and fit into a professional no-drama shop culture, we would like to speak with you.

Apply through AutoShop Recruiting, managing this search on behalf of the client shop.