Experienced Automotive Service Technician/Mechanic

Paylocity; Santa Monica (CA); On-site; USD 51,000 - 69,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

$37 - $50/hr flat rate

Progressive pay plan

Paid Subaru training and certification

Medical, dental, and vision

Life insurance

PTO and holidays

Career path to senior tech/foreman

Employee vehicle purchase and service

Job summary

Subaru of Santa Monica, part of Swickard Auto Group, is seeking an experienced flat-rate technician with strong Subaru or Japanese brand fundamentals to join our Westside shop. You will diagnose and repair Subaru vehicles, perform inspections, and communicate findings clearly to service advisors.

We offer a flat-rate range of $37–$50 per hour, progressive pay with certifications, paid training, comprehensive benefits, paid time off, and a clear career path within a busy, loyal ownership

Qualifications

• 2+ years of flat-rate technician experience at a franchised dealership (required).
• Subaru or Japanese brand experience strongly preferred; familiarity with Subaru SSM4 and factory certifications reflected in rate.
• ASE certifications a strong plus; valid driver's license with clean record.

Responsibilities

• Diagnose and repair Subaru vehicles across engine, transmission, brakes, suspension, electrical, HVAC using OEM repair procedures.
• Perform multi-point inspections and develop accurate repair plans for honest recommendations.
• Execute repairs to Subaru OEM specifications with speed, accuracy, and quality.
• Document all diagnostic findings and completed work on repair orders.
• Stay current on Subaru service bulletins and software updates.

Skills

Flat-rate experience

Subaru/Japanese brand experience

Diagnostic depth

ASE certifications

Driver's license

Tools

SSM4 diagnostic tools

Job description

Description

Santa Monica, CA | Subaru | Japanese brand | Toyota | Honda | Acura | Flat-rate | Experienced technician | Subaru or Japanese experience preferred | Westside | Los Angeles | Southern California | Veterans encouraged to apply | $37 - $50/hr flat rate

IS THIS YOU?

• You’re an experienced flat-rate technician with strong Subaru or Japanese brand fundamentals -- you know the platform, your diagnostic accuracy shows in a low comeback rate, and you produce consistent hours because you know the work
• You’re looking for a well-run Southern California Subaru store with a loyal, high-retention ownership base, consistent service volume, and a rate that reflects your experience and certifications from day one

WHO WE ARE

Swickard Auto Group is a hospitality company that happens to sell and service cars. We believe the best guest experiences start with the best employee experiences. That's why we've grown to 40+ rooftops across the West Coast, Alaska, and Hawaii while maintaining a culture built on one simple idea: do right by people, every time.

Subaru of Santa Monica serves one of Southern California's most loyal and values-driven ownership communities. Subaru owners return for service at a consistently high rate -- which means the shop here stays reliably busy and flat-rate hours are predictable for a technician who delivers quality work consistently. The wide rate range reflects the experience and certification spread we're hiring across -- from strong Japanese brand technicians stepping onto the Subaru platform to experienced Subaru techs ready to step into the top of the range from day one.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

• Diagnose and repair Subaru vehicles across a full range of systems -- engine, transmission, brakes, suspension, electrical, HVAC, and beyond -- using Subaru SSM4 diagnostic tools and OEM repair procedures
• Perform multi-point inspections and develop accurate repair plans -- communicating findings clearly to service advisors so guests receive honest, complete recommendations
• Execute repairs to Subaru OEM specifications with speed, accuracy, and consistent quality
• Document all diagnostic findings and completed work accurately on repair orders
• Stay current on Subaru technical service bulletins, software updates, and manufacturer repair procedures
• Perform test drives to validate diagnostic conclusions and confirm repair quality before vehicle return

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR

• 2+ years of flat-rate technician experience at a franchised dealership -- required
• Subaru or Japanese brand experience strongly preferred -- Subaru, Toyota, Honda, Acura, or similar platform backgrounds transfer directly; Subaru SSM4 familiarity and factory certifications reflected in rate
• Strong diagnostic foundation with a track record of accurate first-time repairs and a low comeback rate
• Efficient and consistent on flat rate -- you produce hours because you know the work
• ASE certifications a strong plus -- Subaru factory certifications reflected in rate
• Valid driver's license with a clean driving record

WHAT WE OFFER

• $37 - $50/hr flat rate -- rate reflects your Subaru or Japanese brand experience, diagnostic depth, and certification level
• Progressive pay plan -- Subaru factory certifications and tenure increase your rate over time
• Paid Subaru manufacturer training and certification support
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Life insurance and supplemental coverage options
• Paid time off and paid holidays
• Clear career path -- strong technicians grow into senior tech, shop foreman, and service management roles at Swickard
• Employee vehicle purchase and service discounts

WHY SUBARU OF SANTA MONICA

• Subaru's ownership base has one of the highest service retention rates in the automotive industry -- consistent, returning guests mean predictable flat-rate volume and a shop that stays reliably busy
• Santa Monica's values-driven Westside community is one of the strongest Subaru markets in Southern California -- the ownership base here is engaged, loyal, and returns on schedule, which makes this shop a stable long-term home for a technician who performs
• A well-run Southern California Subaru store with consistent volume, a professional shop environment, and leadership that invests in technician development and certification
• Swickard is one of the fastest-growing dealer groups in the country -- ranked Top 5 in North America for reputation in the automotive industry
• Our HEART values -- Honor, Engage, Anticipate, Respond, Thank -- apply to how we treat our technicians and our guests in equal measure

If you're an experienced Subaru or Japanese brand technician ready to put your platform knowledge and diagnostic depth to work at a well-run Westside store with one of Southern California's most loyal Subaru ownership communities -- we'd like to meet you.