Marketing Vehicle Technician

Slate Auto•Sterling Heights, MI

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Slate's marketing fleet is the brand in motion, appearing in photo shoots, brand partnership activations, consumer ride-and-drive events, press previews, and commercial productions. This role requires a craftsperson's mindset for fleet care, with a focus on presentation-quality work, mechanical diagnosis, and hands-on upfitting. The Marketing Vehicle Technician will be part of the Creative Operations team, supporting four core fleet programs: Picture Cars, PR & Communications, Social Media, and the Ride & Drive Demo Tour. This role involves close collaboration with Creative, Marketing, Communications, and Production teams, acting as the technical backbone for the fleet. Key Responsibilities include Fleet Stewardship & Presentation-Quality Care, ensuring the marketing and commercial fleet is always in pristine, camera-ready condition. This involves proactive identification and correction of mechanical, electrical, or cosmetic issues, performing detailed vehicle prep for shoots and events, managing wrap and vinyl film condition, and owning the fleet inspection framework. Diagnostics, Maintenance & Repair responsibilities include performing high-level diagnostics and complex repairs on Slate EV powertrains and systems, executing routine and preventive maintenance to ensure zero unplanned downtime, and troubleshooting mechanical, electrical, and software issues. The technician will be the primary technical authority for marketing fleet vehicles, coordinating with Service, Engineering, and Quality teams when needed. Vehicle Upfitting, Configuration & Customization involves executing upfits, retrofits, and configuration changes to meet campaign requirements, installing and integrating accessories, and supporting prototype vehicle preparation. Event & Travel Support requires up to 40% nationwide travel to support events and productions, serving as the on-site technical lead, and assisting with vehicle logistics. Cross-Functional Collaboration involves being the primary technical point of contact for Creative, Marketing, and Communications teams, partnering with the Production Studio team, and maintaining clear communication with leadership.

Requirements

6+ years of professional automotive technician experience, preferably with fleet, premium, prototype, or marketing/press vehicles.
State Certifications, or Active ASE certifications; Master Technician preferred.
Experience working with diagnostic tools including data logging, ECU diagnostics, and wiring schematics.
Demonstrated attention to cosmetic and surface quality, understanding the difference between field-acceptable and camera-acceptable.
Ability and willingness to travel up to 40% of the time, including occasional short-notice and weekend travel to support event schedules.
Valid Driver's License with a clean driving record.
Ability to operate all fleet vehicle types.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills; comfortable representing Slate in professional, media, and executive environments.

Nice To Haves

Direct experience supporting marketing, press, or picture car fleets at an OEM, agency, or production company.
Hands-on experience with high-voltage EV systems, including diagnostics, testing, battery service, and safe HV procedures.
Fabrication, custom upfitting, or accessory integration experience, wiring, body modifications, component mounting, and finishing.
Experience with wrap vinyl, paint protection film (PPF), and surface care products.
Familiarity with photo and video production workflows and the vehicle prep standards they require.
Startup or fast-paced environment experience; comfort operating with ambiguity and shifting priorities.

Responsibilities

Maintain the marketing and commercial fleet in pristine, camera-ready condition at all times, proactively identifying and correcting any mechanical, electrical, or cosmetic issues before they impact production or events.
Perform pre-shoot and pre-event vehicle prep, including deep detailing, wrap inspection, surface correction, and final QC checks to meet photography and video production standards.
Manage wrap and vinyl film condition across the fleet, coordinating with wrap vendors on installation, repair, and removal as campaigns change.
Own and continuously improve the fleet inspection framework, establishing standards and cadences for vehicle condition documentation across mechanical, aesthetic, and configuration dimensions.
Perform high-level diagnostics and complex repairs on Slate EV powertrains, high-voltage systems, and all associated vehicle systems.
Execute routine and preventive maintenance on schedule to ensure zero unplanned downtime during active campaigns or events.
Troubleshoot and resolve mechanical, electrical, and software-related issues using diagnostic tools, data logging, and wiring schematics.
Act as the primary technical authority for marketing fleet vehicles. Coordinate with Slate's Service, Engineering, and Quality teams when issue escalation or technical guidance is required.
Execute vehicle upfits, retrofits, and configuration changes that transform fleet assets to meet campaign, program, or event-specific requirements.
Install and integrate accessories, lighting systems, custom components, and brand-specific hardware with a clean, production-quality finish.
Support prototype and pre-production vehicle preparation, including converting engineering development vehicles (DVs) for marketing use.
Maintain strict configuration control and documentation for each vehicle's current spec, ensuring fast and accurate reconfiguration between programs.
Travel up to 40% nationwide to support ride-and-drive events, media drives, brand activations, and commercial productions, ensuring vehicles arrive on-site in flawless condition and perform without issue throughout.
Serve as the on-site technical lead during events, managing vehicle readiness, handling any real-time issues, and interfacing professionally with internal teams, agency partners, and media.
Support vehicle loading, transport logistics, and hand-off coordination with event and production crews.
Act as the primary technical point of contact for Creative, Marketing, and Communications teams, translating campaign needs into accurate vehicle preparation and configuration.
Partner with the Production Studio team at Sterling Ponds on vehicle availability scheduling, shoot day prep, and post-production vehicle return and reset.
Maintain clear communication and status updates with team leadership on fleet condition, upcoming vehicle needs, and any issues requiring attention.