Automotive Diagnostic Specialist

Mills Automotive Group; Fort Mill (SC); On-site; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Mills Automotive Group is seeking a highly skilled Automotive Diagnostic Specialist to serve as the first technical touchpoint for shop appointments. This role involves pre-inspecting scheduled vehicles and providing a strong diagnostic direction to ensure efficient repairs.

The ideal candidate has over five years of automotive repair experience and excels in diagnosing electrical and drivability issues. Responsibilities include performing scans, verifying customer concerns, and maintaining a streamlined diagnostic process.

Strong documentation skills and ASE certifications are preferred.

Qualifications

• Five or more years of professional automotive repair experience.
• Strong electrical and drivability diagnostic background.
• Valid driver’s license and clean driving record.

Responsibilities

• Perform preliminary visual and operational inspections.
• Document findings clearly through the repair order.
• Communicate urgent findings to advisors and shop leadership.

Skills

Electrical diagnostics

Drivability diagnostics

Communication skills

Documentation skills

Education

ASE certifications (A6, A8, L1)

Tools

Factory scan tools

Oscilloscopes

Multimeters

Job description

Stateline Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram | Fort Mill, SC

We are looking for a highly skilled Automotive Diagnostic Specialist to serve as the first technical touchpoint for our main shop appointments.

This is not a traditional line technician position, and it is not an entry-level role. The ideal candidate is a fast, disciplined diagnostician who can evaluate a vehicle, identify the correct diagnostic direction, and provide our production technicians with a strong head start before the vehicle enters the main shop.

The Role

The Diagnostic Specialist will pre‑inspect scheduled main shop vehicles and perform an initial 15‑20‑minute diagnostic assessment before they are dispatched to a production technician.

The goal is not necessarily to complete every diagnosis during that window. The goal is to:

• Verify the customer’s concern
• Identify obvious safety or maintenance needs
• Perform an initial scan and system evaluation
• Determine the most likely diagnostic path
• Identify required tools, information, parts, or additional testing
• Provide the assigned technician with clear, useful preliminary findings
• Reduce unnecessary diagnostic time, stalled repair orders, and repeat visits

This position will help improve shop efficiency, technician productivity, repair accuracy, and the overall customer experience.

Primary Responsibilities

• Review scheduled appointments and customer concerns before vehicle arrival
• Perform preliminary visual and operational inspections
• Complete full‑vehicle scans and review relevant fault data
• Verify symptoms whenever reasonably possible
• Check fluid levels, battery condition, tires, warning indicators, and immediate safety concerns
• Review available service history, technical service bulletins, recalls, and common failure patterns
• Document findings clearly through the repair order and technician video process
• Recommend the appropriate diagnostic time and technician skill level
• Communicate urgent findings to advisors and shop leadership
• Assist technicians with difficult diagnostic cases when needed
• Help identify training opportunities and recurring shop deficiencies
• Maintain an organized, efficient diagnostic and pre‑inspection process

Who We Are Looking For

This position is designed for a technician who:

• Excels at electrical, drivability, network, and module diagnostics
• Understands that a fault code is a starting point—not a diagnosis
• Can quickly separate symptoms from root causes
• Documents findings clearly and professionally
• Communicates well with technicians, advisors, and management
• Can make sound decisions without creating unnecessary delays
• Takes pride in fixing vehicles correctly the first time
• Wants to diagnose vehicles rather than simply replace parts

Preferred Qualifications

• Five or more years of professional automotive repair experience
• Strong electrical and drivability diagnostic background
• Stellantis, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, or Ram experience strongly preferred
• ASE certifications preferred, particularly A6, A8, and L1
• Experience with factory scan tools, oscilloscopes, multimeters, wiring diagrams, and technical service information
• Valid driver’s license and clean driving record
• Ability to produce clear inspection and diagnostic videos
• Strong written documentation skills

What Success Looks Like

Success in this role will be measured by:

• Accuracy of preliminary diagnostic direction
• Quality of documentation and technician handoff
• Reduced time from vehicle arrival to active diagnosis
• Lower diagnostic carryover and work‑in‑process aging
• Reduced misdiagnosis and repeat repair visits
• Improved main shop technician productivity
• Increased first‑time repair accuracy
• Consistent completion of scheduled pre‑inspections

Why This Position Matters

A productive shop begins with a strong diagnosis.

This role is responsible for helping each vehicle enter the shop with a clear direction, the right technician assignment, and fewer unanswered questions. You will have a direct impact on technician efficiency, customer trust, and the overall performance of the service department.

This is an opportunity for an elite diagnostic technician to use their knowledge across the entire operation—not just one repair order at a time.

Apply today with your resume and a summary of your diagnostic experience.