Junior Automotive Technician

Sun Auto Tire & Service; Springfield (MO); On-site; USD 28,000 - 37,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus opportunities

Paid training

Medical benefits

Paid time off

Employee discounts

Career advancement

Job summary

Sun Auto Tire & Service in Springfield, MO is seeking an entry-level Automotive Technician to grow skills through inspections, maintenance, and basic-to-intermediate repairs alongside experienced technicians.

This full-time position offers competitive pay ($20-$27/hour plus flag rate), paid training, benefits, PTO, employee discounts, and growth toward advanced technician and leadership roles through hands-on coaching.

Qualifications

• 0-2 years automotive experience in a shop, or equivalent technical training.
• Ability to follow written procedures, torque specs, and safety standards.
• Willingness to ask for help, accept coaching, and elevate concerns when appropriate.
• Basic proficiency with shop technology, including DVI/MPIs, scan tools, and digital records.

Responsibilities

• Perform Multi-Point and Digital Vehicle Inspections per company standards.
• Complete maintenance and entry-level repairs (oil, filters, batteries, tires, brakes, basic cooling, starting, charging).
• Handle tire mounting/dismounting, balancing, rotations, and fluid flushes with supervision.
• Perform basic diagnostics with guidance and escalate complex issues to senior techs.
• Follow repair procedures and verify compliance with policy.
• Conduct State Safety and Emission Inspections where permitted.
• Communicate findings and repair status to store managers and service advisors.
• Maintain a clean, safe work area and use PPE as required.
• Collaborate with team, accept coaching, and participate in ongoing training.
• Work a flexible schedule, including weekends.

Skills

Mechanically inclined

Coachable

Safety-focused

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Technical or vocational training

Tools

Digital Vehicle Inspection tools

Scan tools

Computerized documentation systems

Job description

Overview

Automotive Technician (Entry-Level / Mechanic)

Employment Type: Full-TimePay Range: $20-$27/ hour consisting of hourly + flag rate

About Sun Auto Tire & Service

Plaza Tire Service is part of the Sun Auto Network. Sun Auto Tire & Service is a growing family of trusted automotive service and tire brands united by one purpose: helping customers stay safely and confidently on the road. Our recent employee research confirmed what makes Sun Auto different – a values driven culture, a strong sense of belonging, pride in doing quality work, and real opportunities to learn and build a career. As we continue to grow, we’re committed to providing consistent support, clear communication, and to building strong teams so every teammate has the tools, training, and trust to do their best work.

Why This Role Matters

Ready to grow your automotive career in a shop that invests in training, teamwork, and quality work? As a Junior Automotive Technician, you'll perform inspections, maintenance, and basic-to-intermediate repairs while sharpening your diagnostic skills alongside experienced technicians. It's a great fit if you have automotive training, hands-on shop experience, or strong mechanical aptitude and you're ready to move beyond basic maintenance into a more advanced role.

What We Offer

• Competitive pay, including bonus or commission opportunities
• Paid training and hands-on development
• Medical, dental, and vision benefits
• Paid time off
• Employee discounts
• Career advancement opportunities, including growth toward Automotive Technician, Senior Technician, Lead Technician, and other technical leadership roles

What You’ll Do

• Perform Multi-Point and Digital Vehicle Inspections, accurately documenting findings, measurements, and photos to company standards.
• Complete maintenance and entry-level repairs—oil and fluid services, filters, batteries, tires, brakes, and basic cooling, starting, and charging services.
• Handle tire mounting/dismounting, balancing, rotations, steering and suspension wear-item replacement, and fluid flushes with appropriate oversight.
• Perform basic diagnostics with guidance (noise/vibration, brakes, starting/charging, code retrieval, and scan data), and elevate complex driveability, electrical, intermittent, or safety-critical concerns to a senior or lead technician.
• Follow repair procedures—including torque specifications, bleed procedures, and post-repair checks—and request verification when required by policy or experience level.
• Conduct State Safety and Emission Inspections in applicable locations, ethically and in line with all company and state guidelines.
• Communicate findings, needed approvals, and repair status to Store Managers and Service Advisors, and document recommendations in the customer record to support clear communication.
• Keep a clean, safe work area; properly use and care for tools, equipment, and vehicles; follow all safety, PPE, and environmental/hazardous-waste requirements; and report hazards or equipment concerns.
• Collaborate with the team, accept coaching, participate in ongoing training, and complete other duties as assigned.
• Work a flexible schedule, including weekends as needed.

What We’re Looking For

Required:

The right candidate is mechanically inclined, coachable, safety-focused, and ready to continue building automotive repair skills in a structured shop environment.

• 0-2 years of automotive experience in a shop environment, or equivalent technical training, performing maintenance and basic repairs.
• Ability to follow written procedures, torque specifications, and safety standards.
• Willingness to ask for help, accept coaching, and elevate concerns when appropriate.
• Basic proficiency with shop technology, including Digital Vehicle Inspection/Multi-Point Inspection tools, scan tools for code retrieval, and computerized systems for documentation.
• Ability to possess and utilize basic tools required to perform the functions of the role successfully.
• Valid driver’s license and successful completion of a Motor Vehicle Records check.
• State Inspector License, in applicable locations, or ability to obtain within 30 days of hire if required by the store.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including weekends as needed.
• Must be 18 years of age or older.

Preferred:

• Technical or vocational school training.
• ASE certification or willingness to obtain certification.
• Brake service and/or alignment experience, where applicable.
• High school diploma or equivalent.

Growth & Development

We want you to grow with us. In this role, you'll build your inspection, maintenance, repair, and troubleshooting skills with hands-on coaching from experienced technicians—and gain the training and certifications to keep moving up. Many of our teammates use this role as a launchpad into more advanced technical and leadership positions.

Your path could look like: Junior Technician to Automotive Technician to Senior Technician to Lead Technician to and beyond into technical training or field leadership.

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

• Automotive shop environment with exposure to moderate to loud noise, dust, exhaust fumes, lubricants, petroleum products, vapors, and caustic materials.
• Temperature variations may include extreme heat and/or extreme cold.
• Ability to stand up to eight hours per day and walk to access various areas of the building.
• Ability to bend, stoop, kneel, and crouch regularly, with full range of motion in arms and hands.
• Ability to lift and/or move up to 10 pounds regularly and up to 70 pounds frequently.
• Vision sufficient to detect color, depth, and refocus; use of safety goggles or other PPE as required.
• Ability to communicate with customers, service advisors, managers, and shop teammates.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Sun Auto Tire & Service is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. It is our policy to consider for employment all individuals regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.