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Automotive Mechanic Intern Jobs in Reston, VA (NOW HIRING)

Automotive Mechanic Intern information

What kinds of tasks and learning opportunities can I expect as an Automotive Mechanic Intern?

As an Automotive Mechanic Intern, you’ll typically assist experienced mechanics with vehicle inspections, basic repairs, and routine maintenance tasks such as oil changes and tire rotations. You’ll also gain hands-on experience using diagnostic tools and learning about different automotive systems under supervision. Interns often participate in team meetings, shadow senior technicians, and receive feedback to help build foundational skills. This entry-level role is designed to provide exposure to the daily workflow of an auto repair shop and offers excellent opportunities for mentorship and skill development, setting you up for a future career in automotive technology.

What is the difference between Automotive Mechanic Intern vs Automotive Service Technician?

AspectAutomotive Mechanic InternAutomotive Service Technician
CredentialsHigh school diploma or ongoing technical trainingHigh school diploma, ASE certifications often preferred
Work EnvironmentTraining sites, dealerships, or repair shops, supervised learningRepair shops, dealerships, independent garages, hands-on work
Job RoleAssists experienced mechanics, learns repair proceduresPerforms repairs, diagnostics, maintenance independently or under supervision

Automotive Mechanic Interns are typically students or trainees gaining hands-on experience under supervision, while Automotive Service Technicians are fully qualified professionals performing repairs and diagnostics independently. Interns focus on learning, whereas technicians handle daily repair tasks in various automotive settings.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Automotive Mechanic Intern, and why are they important?

To excel as an Automotive Mechanic Intern, you need a basic understanding of automotive systems, mechanical aptitude, and enrollment in or completion of a relevant training program. Familiarity with diagnostic tools, hand and power tools, and automotive repair software is typically expected. Strong attention to detail, willingness to learn, and effective communication are standout soft skills in this role. These competencies are vital for ensuring accurate repairs, supporting senior technicians, and building a solid foundation for a successful automotive career.

What are Automotive Mechanic Interns?

Automotive Mechanic Interns are students or entry-level workers who assist professional automotive mechanics in maintaining, diagnosing, and repairing vehicles. They typically work under supervision, learning practical skills such as performing oil changes, tire rotations, and basic inspections. The internship provides hands-on experience and exposure to common automotive tools and diagnostic equipment, helping interns build foundational knowledge for a future career as an automotive technician.
What are popular job titles related to Automotive Mechanic Intern jobs in Reston, VA? For Automotive Mechanic Intern jobs in Reston, VA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Automotive Mechanic Intern jobs in Reston, VA look for? The top searched job categories for Automotive Mechanic Intern jobs in Reston, VA are:
Infographic showing various Automotive Mechanic Intern job openings in Reston, VA as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 86% Full Time, 11% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution.

General Engineer - Direct Hire - SME

USAJOBS - Search

Washington, DC • On-site

$102K/yr

Other

Posted 14 days ago


Job description

The New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) Division provides national and international leadership in planning, developing, initiating, and conducting new and innovative consumer information programs. The primary objective of the Division is to develop and coordinate the dissemination of consumer information on various aspects of motor vehicle and occupant protection systems that may induce market forces to enhance crash protection to adult and child occupants and vulnerable road users.

Qualifications:

To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must meet the specialized experience qualifications for the grade at which you are requesting consideration.
To qualify for the Grade 12, you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-11 it must include:

  • Experience in applying engineering concepts and theories to the solution of engineering problems
  • Experience communicating orally and in writing, so that the expression is logical, clear, and convincing.
  • Experience contributing collaboratively to a technical project or support a technical program, with regular guidance and direction from a supervisor.

To qualify for the Grade 13, you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-12, it must include:

  • Experience applying engineering concepts, principles, and practices applicable to the solution of engineering problems related to automotive safety.
  • Experience communicating orally and in writing, so that the expression is logical, clear, and convincing.
  • Experience in the identification, analysis, and quantification of engineering problems and formulating actions required for their solution.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs):  Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas:

  • Engineering Knowledge - Knowledge of engineering methods and principles.
  • Engineering Application - Skill in applying engineering concepts and theories to the solution of engineering problems
  • Communication – Skill to communicate effectively in writing and orally.
  • Safety Engineering - Knowledge of the concepts, principles, theories, and methods in automotive safety


For all types of consideration, experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social).  Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.  You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
For additional information about applying to Federal positions, please click on the following link:  https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-policies/#url=e4
All applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Education:

MANDATORY EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS:

A. DEGREE: ENGINEERING --To be acceptable, the program must: (1) lead to a bachelor’s degree in a school of engineering with at least one program accredited by ABET; or (2) include differential and integral calculus and courses (more advanced than first-year physics and chemistry) in five of the following seven areas of engineering science or physics: (a) statics, dynamics; (b) strength of materials (stress-strain relationships); (c) fluid mechanics, hydraulics; (d) thermodynamics; (e) electrical fields and circuits; (f) nature and properties of materials (relating particle and aggregate structure to properties); and (g) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics. OR

B. COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE -- College-level education, training, and/or technical experience that furnished (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying engineering, and (2) a good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the engineering sciences and techniques and their applications to one of the branches of engineering. The adequacy of such background must be demonstrated by one of the following:

1. Professional registration or licensure -- Current registration as an Engineer Intern (EI), Engineer in Training (EIT)1 , or licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE) by any State, the District of Columbia, Guam, or Puerto Rico. Absent other means of qualifying under this standard, those applicants who achieved such registration by means other than written test (e.g., State grandfather or eminence provisions) are eligible only for positions that are within or closely related to the specialty field of their registration. For example, an applicant who attains registration through a State Board's eminence provision as a manufacturing engineer typically would be rated eligible only for manufacturing engineering positions.

2. Written Test -- Evidence of having successfully passed the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) examination or any other written test required for professional registration by an engineering licensure board in the various States, the District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico.

3. Specified academic courses -- Successful completion of at least 60 semester hours of courses in the physical, mathematical, and engineering sciences and that included the courses specified in the basic requirements under paragraph A. The courses must be fully acceptable toward meeting the requirements of an engineering program as described in paragraph A.

4. Related curriculum -- Successful completion of a curriculum leading to a bachelor's degree in an appropriate scientific field, e.g., engineering technology, physics, chemistry, architecture, computer science, mathematics, hydrology, or geology, may be accepted in lieu of a bachelor’s degree in engineering, provided the applicant has had at least 1 year of professional engineering experience acquired under professional engineering supervision and guidance. Ordinarily there should be either an established plan of intensive training to develop professional engineering competence, or several years of prior professional engineering-type experience, e.g., in interdisciplinary positions. (The above examples of related curricula are not all inclusive). All applicants must meet the education requirements under A or B to qualify for applying to an engineering position. Transcripts are required for this position.

Employment Type: OTHER