Senior Automotive Instructor (60676)

At AAA Northeast, we're looking for a Senior Automotive Instructor who can help develop the next generation of roadside technicians, towing professionals, and automotive service experts. This is an opportunity to step beyond the service bay while staying deeply connected to the industry you love. 

Every technician you train will directly impact thousands of AAA members who rely on us when they need help most. Your knowledge won't just fix vehicles. It will build careers, strengthen teams, and help deliver the trusted service AAA has provided for more than 120 years. 

If you're passionate about automotive technology, safety, mentoring others, and sharing what you've learned, we'd love to meet you. 

What You'll Do 

As a Senior Automotive Instructor, you'll serve as both a technical expert and learning leader across AAA Northeast's roadside and automotive operations. 

Training Leadership 

• Design, develop, and deliver engaging instructor-led and hands-on training programs. 

• Facilitate classroom, field, virtual, and one-on-one learning experiences. 

• Train new and existing roadside technicians on towing, lockouts, battery services, tire changes, vehicle recovery, safety practices, and member service excellence. 

• Ensure learners gain both technical knowledge and practical confidence. 

Program Design & Strategy 

• Assess training needs and identify performance improvement opportunities. 

• Develop and continuously improve training materials, assessments, and learning experiences. 

• Measure training effectiveness and recommend enhancements to drive stronger business results. 

• Support implementation of training evaluation and learning transfer strategies. 

Coaching & Mentorship 

• Serve as a trusted mentor and subject matter expert. 

• Provide coaching, feedback, and performance support to technicians and trainees. 

• Assist in onboarding, developing, and mentoring fellow trainers. 

• Help establish best practices for instructional delivery throughout the organization. 

Safety & Operational Excellence 

• Promote a culture of safety across all learning environments. 

• Incorporate OSHA standards, safe work practices, and real-world decision-making into all programs. 

• Support operational teams during significant weather events, high-volume periods, and special initiatives when needed. 

Industry & Technical Expertise 

• Maintain current knowledge of industry trends, vehicle technologies, and roadside service innovations. 

• Build partnerships with vendors, manufacturers, and industry organizations. 

• Represent AAA Northeast at industry, community, and organizational events. 

• Maintain and pursue relevant automotive and towing certifications. 

A Typical Week Might Include 

• Leading hands-on towing and vehicle recovery exercises 

• Teaching roadside battery diagnostics and installation procedures 

• Coaching technicians during field observations 

• Developing training content for a new service offering 

• Partnering with operational leaders to close performance gaps 

• Evaluating certification readiness for technicians 

• Mentoring a newly hired trainer 

• Working with vendors on emerging vehicle technologies 

• Supporting safety initiatives and operational excellence programs 

No two weeks are exactly alike. 

Who Thrives in This Role? 

You may be an excellent fit if you: 

• Enjoy teaching and coaching others 

• Frequently mentor junior technicians or apprentices 

• Are known as a technical resource by your teammates 

• Value safety, professionalism, and quality workmanship 

• Communicate complex concepts in a simple, understandable way 

• Want your knowledge and experience to have a broader impact 

• Are ready for the next chapter in your automotive career 

Qualifications 

Education 

• Bachelor's Degree preferred; or 

• Equivalent combination of education and 6-8+ years of relevant automotive, towing, roadside service, fleet maintenance, or training experience. 

Experience 

• 3+ years of hands-on automotive repair experience required. 

• Previous towing, roadside assistance, fleet operations, or recovery experience preferred. 

• 3+ years of classroom, field, virtual, or instructor-led training experience preferred. 

• Experience coaching, mentoring, leading teams, or developing others strongly preferred. 

Certifications 

• Current ASE certifications preferred. 

• ASE certifications (A1, A4, A5, A6) required within one year of employment. 

• WreckMaster Level 4/5 certification required within one year of employment. 

• Ability to operate tow vehicles. 

• Successful completion of Driver's License Check. 

• DOT Physical required within 180 days of employment. 

What We Offer 

Competitive Compensation 

• Base salary: $73,200 - $91,900 

• Annual bonus opportunities 

• Additional incentive opportunities for eligible roles 

Industry-Leading Benefits 

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage 

• AAA Northeast pays up to 93% of eligible medical premium costs 

• 401(k) with 6% company match 

• Fully vested company contributions 

Time Away From Work 

• 3 weeks of vacation 

• 12 paid holidays 

• 8 sick days annually 

• 48 hours of paid volunteer time 

Additional Perks 

• Free AAA Membership 

• Insurance discounts 

• Travel benefits and commission refund program 

• Wellness incentives 

• Tuition reimbursement up to $6,000 annually 

• Professional certification support 

• Career advancement opportunities 

Why AAA Northeast? 

For more than 120 years, AAA has been helping people when they need us most. 

But what truly sets us apart is our people. 

We are committed to developing talent, investing in professional growth, and creating meaningful careers. Our culture values collaboration, accountability, innovation, and service excellence. We believe great leaders create great teams, and great trainers help create future leaders. 

As a Senior Automotive Instructor, you'll have the unique opportunity to influence how roadside assistance is delivered across our organization while helping automotive professionals build successful careers of their own. 

Join Us 

Whether you've worked as an ASE Master Technician, Shop Foreman, Fleet Technician, Service Manager, Automotive Instructor, Towing Professional, Recovery Operator, or Roadside Operations Expert, this role offers an opportunity to transform years of hands-on experience into lasting impact. 

Qualifications

What You Will Need

• Bachelor's Degree preferred or 6-8 years of additional relevant experience required
• 3+ years Hands on technical automotive repair experience and ASE certification in electrical systems, towing experience preferred
• 3+ years Facilitating/presenting materials in a classroom preferred
• Current ASE (A1, A4, A5, A6) and Wreckmaster Certification Level 4/5 within 1 Year
• Must be able to operate tow vehicles and successfully pass a Driver’s License Check 
• DOT Physical within 180 Days

Why AAA Northeast

Career Growth: With ongoing world-class training and proven career paths, you'll have the opportunity to develop expertise and advance your career within AAA Northeast.
Trusted Legacy: With over 120 years of service excellence, we have a long track record of protecting our members as well as our employees and their families.
Future-Focused: With new business offerings and increasing digital presence, we are focused on innovating for the future to sustain our success.

What We Offer

• Award-Winning: We’ve been named as a Top Employer for the last 7 years
• Health Coverage: Medical coverage with employer contributions covering up to 93% of the premium cost, plus dental and vision options.
• Retirement: 6% company match on 401(k) retirement plan contribution, with contributions fully vested and made every pay period
• Paid Time off: 3 weeks’ vacation, 12 holidays, 8 sick days, 48 hours of volunteer time annually
• Additional Perks: Free AAA membership, insurance discounts, travel commission refund, up to $625 in Wellness Incentives, up to $6k in tuition reimbursement, and more!
• Compensation: Competitive base pay, annual bonus opportunities, and for certain roles, additional monthly and/or quarterly incentive compensation. The posted salary range represents the full range grade for this role, with individual pay based on job-related skills, experience, shift, and geographic location.

At AAA Northeast, how we work together matters. We are a highly collaborative organization that values connection, transparency, and trust. Our “cameras on” approach during virtual meetings reflects our expectation that team members are present, engaged and actively participating, helping to build strong working relationships and a sense of shared accountability, no matter where we’re located.

We are also proud of our diverse culture, shaped by the talents, experiences, and perspectives of our employees. AAA Northeast is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to fair and equitable practices in recruiting, hiring, and advancement. We do not discriminate based on race, color, creed or religion, national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity or expression, disability, genetic information, marital status, pregnancy, or membership in any other protected class. We thrive when our team members bring their whole selves to work.