Photo Inspector Jobs in Michigan (NOW HIRING)

ABOUT SLATE

At Slate, we're building safe, reliable vehicles that people can afford, personalize and love-and doing it here in the USA as part of our commitment to reindustrialization. The spirit of DIY and customization runs throughout every element of a Slate, because people should have control over how their trucks look, feel, and represent them.

Position Overview

Slate's marketing fleet isn't just transportation; it's the brand in motion. These vehicles appear in photo shoots, brand partnership activations, consumer ride-and-drive events, press previews, and high-profile commercial productions. They need to look and perform flawlessly every single time, in front of cameras, journalists, executives, and customers alike.

We're looking for a Marketing Vehicle Technician who brings a craftsperson's mindset to fleet care: someone who takes genuine pride in presentation-quality work, understands that a surface flaw visible to a camera lens is as critical as a mechanical fault, and can pivot between detailed mechanical diagnosis and hands-on upfitting with equal competence.

This role sits within Slate's Creative Operations team and supports four core fleet programs:

• Picture Cars: hero vehicles purpose-built for photo and video production

• PR & Communications: press fleet vehicles supporting media relations and journalist drives

• Social Media: vehicles supporting content creation and brand storytelling

• Ride & Drive Demo Tour: customer-facing event vehicles operated nationwide

You'll work closely with the Creative, Marketing, Communications, and Production teams, serving as the technical backbone that keeps the fleet campaign-ready at all times.

Key Responsibilities

Fleet Stewardship & Presentation-Quality Care

• 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.

Diagnostics, Maintenance & Repair

• 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.

Vehicle Upfitting, Configuration & Customization

• 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.

Event & Travel Support

• 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.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• 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.

Qualifications & Skills Required

Required

• Experience: 6+ years of professional automotive technician experience, preferably with fleet, premium, prototype, or marketing/press vehicles.

• Certifications: State Certifications, or Active ASE certifications; Master Technician preferred.

• Diagnostic Tools: Experience working with diagnostic tools including data logging, ECU diagnostics, and wiring schematics.

• Presentation Standards: Demonstrated attention to cosmetic and surface quality, you understand the difference between field-acceptable and camera-acceptable.

• Travel Flexibility: 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: Clean driving record required. Ability to operate all fleet vehicle types.

• Professionalism: Excellent interpersonal and communication skills; comfortable representing Slate in professional, media, and executive environments.

Preferred

• 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.

WHY JOIN TEAM SLATE?

At Slate, we're fueled by grit, determination, and attention to detail. The start-up spirit of ingenuity and resourcefulness move our business forward. Team Slate fosters a culture of excellence, innovation, and mutual respect, and is motivated by shared principles.

• Safety First

• Delight Customers

• One Team

• Relentless Improvement

• Fast, Frugal, and Scrappy

• Respectful Collaboration

• Positive Legacy

WE WANT TO WORK WITH PEOPLE THAT REFLECT THE COMMUNITIES IN WHICH WE OPERATE.

Slate is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status, marital status, parental status, cultural background, organizational level, work styles, tenure and life experiences. Or for any other reason.

Slate is committed to providing reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at

slate-talent_acquisition@slate.auto.