OEM Technical Relations Principal
- Vernon Hills, IL
- Permanent
- Full-time
OEM Relationship Management
- Serve as the technical liaison to OEMs, developing and maintaining strong collaborative relationships
- Plan and lead OEM Technical Council meetings
- Collaborate with OEMs to enhance the clarity, accuracy, and delivery of service and collision repair information
- Interface with collision repair shops and technicians to provide OEMs with actionable feedback and insights
- Review and provide feedback on OEM position statements and service procedures to ensure clarity, accuracy, and shop-level feasibility.
- Monitor Linking Pin activity; report findings at industry events and conferences
- Develop OEM repair procedures in collaboration with technical OEM subject matter experts
- Evaluate new vehicle designs and procedures for practicality and collision industry acceptance
- Validate procedures on body-in-white vehicles to ensure accuracy and real-world applicability.
- Partner with tool/equipment manufacturers to collaborate on solutions to support industry needs.
- Work with paint and material suppliers to identify industry gaps and understanding of emerging technologies.
- Participate in industry panels and working groups, present research and recommendations
- Lead and support collaborative research with OEMs, tool vendors, and suppliers on emerging technologies (e.g., destructive weld testing, laser welding, UHSS sectioning, paint processes around ADAS hardware).
- Align research outcomes with Technical Advisory Services and industry strategies.
- Author white papers, technical articles, and thought leadership pieces for trade publications
- Work with Instructional Designers, SMEs, and Tech Operations to develop accurate, industry-relevant curriculum aligned with OEM standards
- Create advanced-level learning content (e.g., MAP, MAM) with a focus on technical accuracy
- Participate in Repairer's Realm programming and panel discussions with OEM representation
- Provide technical input into tool and equipment protocol development to align with industry and OEM strategies
- Contribute to curriculum expansion efforts in key areas such as ADAS, EV, and specialty OEM training
Required
- 10+ years in collision repair, OEM service development, or related technical field
- Extensive knowledge of structural and non-structural repairs, OEM service procedures, vehicle technology (EV, ADAS, Vehicle Construction Materials), and advanced repair methods.
- Experience working directly with OEMs, collision shops, technical educators, and product developers.
- Strong communication, facilitation, and presentation skills with the ability to influence cross-functional stakeholders.
- 4-year college technical degree or 2-year associated degree from an automotive trade school
- I-CAR Platinum or Gold Class recognition, or equivalent collision training credentials.
- ASE Collision Repair Certifications (B2–B5)
- Welding certifications (GMA Steel, Aluminum, MIG Braze, STRSW)
- Hands-on experience with OEM service platforms (e.g., Honda Service Express, GM GSI, Nissan TechInfo)
- Familiarity with collision estimating systems (CCC, Audatex, Mitchell).
- Proficiency with shop equipment
- Understanding of regulatory and safety standards
- Public speaking or technical presentation experience at trade shows or conferences
- Leadership & Influence: Ability to lead projects and influence high-level industry discussions
- Critical Thinking: Comfortable navigating ambiguity in technical procedures and interpreting evolving repair standards
- Collaboration: Effective cross-functional team player with strong industry relationship-building skills
- Attention to Detail: Precision in technical validation, documentation review, and communication