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Automotive Performance Tuning Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Office Administrator

Fremont, CA · On-site

$19.75 - $27/hr

034Motorsport is a leading automotive engineering firm specializing in performance products, tuning, racing, and service for Audi and Volkswagen vehicles. We are constantly looking for qualified ...

Office Administrator

Fremont, CA · On-site

$19.75 - $27/hr

034Motorsport is a leading automotive engineering firm specializing in performance products, tuning, racing, and service for Audi and Volkswagen vehicles. We are constantly looking for qualified ...

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Auto Mechanic

Detroit, MI · On-site

$1.5K - $2.5K/wk

Certified Auto Mechanic with over 5 years of experience in routine maintenance, complex diagnostics, and performance tuning. This role demands expertise in various automotive systems and the ability ...

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... performance tuning, and full frame-off restorations for classic domestic muscle cars and Corvettes ... Must possess a complete professional set of automotive tools. * High attention to detail and ...

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... performance tuning, and full frame-off restorations for classic domestic muscle cars and Corvettes ... Must possess a complete professional set of automotive tools. * High attention to detail and ...

Oracle Developer with Informatica

San Diego, CA · On-site

$56.50 - $74.25/hr

Experience in performance tuning, application monitoring and support of production applications. * Experience working with offshore teams preferred.Experience in automotive marketing and/or CRM ...

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Automotive Performance Tuning information

See salary details

$41.5K

$81.7K

$154K

How much do automotive performance tuning jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 5, 2026, the average yearly pay for automotive performance tuning in the United States is $81,684.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $68,000.00 and $86,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is automotive performance tuning?

Automotive performance tuning refers to the process of modifying a vehicle’s engine, electronics, and other systems to improve its power, speed, responsiveness, and overall driving performance. This can involve adjustments such as remapping the engine control unit (ECU), upgrading exhaust systems, enhancing air intake, or installing performance parts. Tuning can be done for different goals, such as increasing horsepower, improving fuel efficiency, or optimizing the car for specific driving conditions. It’s important to work with professionals to ensure modifications are safe and comply with local regulations.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in automotive performance tuning, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Automotive Performance Tuning Specialist, you need a strong understanding of automotive mechanics, engine management systems, and vehicle electronics, often supported by relevant technical training or certifications. Familiarity with tuning software (such as HP Tuners or EFI Live), diagnostic tools, and dynamometers is typically required. Attention to detail, analytical thinking, and effective communication with clients are essential soft skills for success in this role. These skills ensure that vehicles are safely optimized for performance and reliability while meeting client expectations.

What are the most common challenges faced by professionals in automotive performance tuning, and how can they be addressed?

One of the most common challenges in automotive performance tuning is staying updated with rapidly evolving vehicle technologies and electronic control systems. Tuners often need to work with a wide variety of makes and models, each with unique engine management software and hardware. Additionally, balancing client expectations for performance gains with reliability and emissions compliance can be demanding. Successful professionals continue their education through training and certifications, collaborate with experienced colleagues, and use advanced diagnostic tools to overcome these obstacles.

What is the difference between Automotive Performance Tuning vs Automotive Mechanic?

AspectAutomotive Performance TuningAutomotive Mechanic
CredentialsSpecialized tuning certifications, manufacturer trainingASE certifications, technical diplomas
Work EnvironmentCustom shops, racing teams, aftermarket tuning facilitiesRepair shops, dealerships, service centers
Job FocusOptimizing vehicle performance, modifying engine componentsDiagnosing and repairing vehicle issues
Industry UsageHigh-performance, racing, aftermarket modificationsGeneral vehicle maintenance and repair

Automotive Performance Tuning and Automotive Mechanics share some technical skills and certifications, but differ mainly in their focus. Performance tuners specialize in enhancing vehicle power and efficiency through modifications, often working in aftermarket or racing environments. Mechanics focus on diagnosing and repairing a wide range of vehicle issues in service centers. Both roles require technical knowledge, but their daily tasks and industry settings vary significantly.

More about Automotive Performance Tuning jobs

What cities are hiring for Automotive Performance Tuning jobs?

Cities with the most Automotive Performance Tuning job openings:

What states have the most Automotive Performance Tuning jobs?

States with the most job openings for Automotive Performance Tuning jobs include:

What job categories do people searching Automotive Performance Tuning jobs look for?

The top searched job categories for Automotive Performance Tuning jobs are:

Infographic showing various Automotive Performance Tuning job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 95% Full Time, and 5% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $81,684 per year, or $39.3 per hour.

Performance Engineering Manager

Ford Motor Company

Dearborn, MI • On-site

$115K - $218K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, PTO

Posted 4 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Lead the performance engineering practice within the Test Center of Excellence (TCoE).

  • Own the performance testing strategy, the team that executes it, and the engineering practices that make performance continuous, automated, and observable.

  • Manage a team and drive results across Ford Credit's application portfolio to protect against performance incidents, SLA violations, capacity failures, and degraded customer experiences.


Ford Motor Company rating

7.6

Company rating: 7.6 out of 10

Based on 527 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

11th of 45 rated automakers


Job description

Ford Credit is seeking a Performance Engineering Manager to lead the performance engineering practice within the Test Center of Excellence (TCoE). This leadership role combines deep technical expertise in performance testing and engineering with the ability to manage a team, drive strategy, and deliver results across Ford Credit's entire application portfolio: the Industrial Bank, Platform Modernization (Alfa Systems), Ford Bill, and future initiatives. You will own the performance testing strategy, the team that executes it, and the engineering practices that make performance continuous, automated, and observable. Your work directly protects Ford Credit from production performance incidents, SLA violations, capacity planning failures, and degraded customer experiences.

You'll Have... 

  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Systems, or a related field (or equivalent practical experience)
  • 8+ years of hands-on performance testing and engineering experience, preferably in financial services or complex enterprise platforms
  • 3+ years managing a performance engineering or test engineering team
  • Expert-level proficiency with JMeter and/or LoadRunner; experience with distributed load generation
  • Strong proficiency in scripting languages (Java, Python, JavaScript/TypeScript)
  • Hands-on experience with GCP, observability tools (Grafana, Dynatrace, InfluxDB), and CI/CD integration (CloudBuild, GitHub Actions)
  • Deep understanding of distributed system architectures: microservices, API gateways, GraphQL orchestration, database performance (PostgreSQL, Oracle, DB2)
  • Demonstrated experience authoring and delivering a performance testing strategy with measurable outcomes
  • Active use of AI tools for performance engineering efficiency (scenario generation, anomaly detection, capacity planning, report automation)
  • Understanding of lending/financial data domains: loan lifecycle, payment processing, availability SLAs, disaster recovery RPO/RTO
  • Familiarity with NFRs beyond performance: reliability, availability, scalability, chaos engineering, and distributed tracing
  • Excellent communication skills; ability to translate complex performance data into business-impact narratives for non-technical stakeholders

Even better, you may have...

  • Master's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Systems, or a related field (or equivalent practical experience)
  • Experience in the automotive, banking, or lending/fintech industry
  • Kubernetes/container orchestration experience (GKE) and cloud-native performance tuning
  • Familiarity with chaos engineering tools (Gremlin, Chaos Monkey) and resilience testing practices
  • Exposure to shift-left performance testing and performance-as-code practices
  • Experience with synthetic monitoring and real-user monitoring (RUM) tools
  • Vendor/third-party performance test management experience (SOWs, SLAs, offshore/onshore coordination)
  • A relevant certification (e.g., Certified Performance Tester, AWS/GCP Professional, ISTQB Performance Testing)
  • Experience presenting technical risk assessments to senior/executive leadership (LL6+)
  • Prior experience standing up a Test Center of Excellence or performance practice from the ground up

You may not check every box, or your experience may look a little different from what we've outlined, but if you think you can bring value to Ford Motor Company, we encourage you to apply!

As an established global company, we offer the benefit of choice. You can choose what your Ford future will look like: will your story span the globe, or keep you close to home? Will your career be a deep dive into what you love, or a series of new teams and new skills? Will you be a leader, a changemaker, a technical expert, a culture builder...or all of the above? No matter what you choose, we offer a work life that works for you, including:

  • Immediate medical, dental, vision and prescription drug coverage
  • Flexible family care days, paid parental leave, new parent ramp-up programs, subsidized back-up child care and more
  • Family building benefits including adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, fertility treatments, and more
  • Vehicle discount program for employees and family members and management leases
  • Tuition assistance
  • Established and active employee resource groups
  • Paid time off for individual and team community service
  • A generous schedule of paid holidays, including the week between Christmas and New Year's Day
  • Paid time off and the option to purchase additional vacation time.

This position is leadership level 6 and ranges from $115,500-$218,100.


Final determination of salary grade will be based on candidate's skills and experience, and base salary will be set within the applicable range according to job scope, responsibility and competitive market value.

For more information on salary and benefits, click here: https://fordcareers.co/LL6

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Candidates for positions with Ford Motor Company must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, age, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status or protected veteran status. In the United States, if you need a reasonable accommodation for the online application process due to a disability, please call 1-888-336-0660.

This position is hybrid with a requirement to be onsite four or more days per week. #LI-Hybrid

#LI-FordCredit #LI-DH1

What You'll Do...

  • Own and evolve the Ford Credit Performance Testing Strategy, including the annual roadmap and multi-year vision (Foundation, Optimization, Maturity phases)
  • Build, manage, and mentor a team of performance engineers; conduct hiring, onboarding, performance reviews, and career development planning
  • Lead the gathering of Non-Functional Requirements (NFRs) with product, architecture, and engineering teams, including workload models, SLAs, and test scenarios
  • Direct the execution of all performance test types: load, stress, endurance, spike, volume, scalability, component, integration, regression, and browser performance testing
  • Establish and enforce performance quality gates within CI/CD pipelines, preventing deployments when SLAs are not met
  • Build and maintain continuous performance testing pipelines and Grafana/PowerBI dashboards for trend monitoring and executive reporting
  • Own performance testing environment readiness, coordinating with FCSRE and infrastructure teams on provisioning, sizing, and capacity planning
  • Deliver performance risk assessments, capacity planning recommendations, and production readiness evaluations to LL6+ leadership
  • Foster AI-first engineering practices within the team for script generation, anomaly detection, and workflow automation
  • Coordinate with FCSRE, Development, Product, Business, and third-party vendors on performance requirements and production readiness

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