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Vehicle Body Builder Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Body Builders Auto

Mechanic

Rolling Meadows, IL · On-site

As a Collision Repair Mechanic at Body Builders Automotive, you will play a pivotal role in restoring vehicles to their pre-accident condition while adhering to the highest safety and quality station.

Body Builders Auto

Mechanic

Rolling Meadows, IL · On-site

As a Collision Repair Mechanic at Body Builders Automotive, you will play a pivotal role in restoring vehicles to their pre-accident condition while adhering to the highest safety and quality station.

Body Builders Auto

Mechanic

Rolling Meadows, IL · On-site

As a Collision Repair Mechanic at Body Builders Automotive, you will play a pivotal role in restoring vehicles to their pre-accident condition while adhering to the highest safety and quality station.

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Vehicle Body Builder information

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$30.5K

$65.1K

$98.5K

How much do vehicle body builder jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for vehicle body builder in the United States is $65,060.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $50,000.00 and $77,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a vehicle body builder do?

A Vehicle Body Builder is responsible for constructing, assembling, and repairing the bodies of vehicles such as trucks, buses, vans, and specialized vehicles. They work with materials like metal, fiberglass, and plastic to fabricate vehicle frames, panels, and fittings according to technical drawings and customer specifications. The role often involves welding, cutting, shaping, and installing components, ensuring each vehicle meets safety standards and functional requirements. Vehicle Body Builders may also be involved in modifying existing vehicles or restoring damaged ones.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a vehicle body builder, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Vehicle Body Builder, you need strong mechanical aptitude, metalworking skills, and a relevant vocational qualification or apprenticeship in automotive body building. Familiarity with welding equipment, hand and power tools, and the ability to interpret technical drawings are essential, as well as knowledge of safety standards. Attention to detail, teamwork, and problem-solving abilities are valuable soft skills that set top performers apart. These competencies are crucial for producing high-quality, safe vehicle bodies that meet customer specifications and industry regulations.

What are some common challenges faced by vehicle body builders during custom modification projects?

Vehicle Body Builders often encounter challenges when working on custom modification projects, such as interpreting unique client specifications, sourcing specialized materials, and ensuring structural integrity while maintaining compliance with safety standards. Collaboration with engineers and paint technicians is essential to address design feasibility and finish quality. Time management and adaptability are also crucial, as modifications may require adjustments based on unexpected technical or material issues that arise during the build process.

What is the difference between Vehicle Body Builder vs Auto Body Technician?

AspectVehicle Body BuilderAuto Body Technician
CredentialsVocational training, certifications in vehicle constructionCertifications in collision repair, auto body work
Work EnvironmentManufacturing facilities, custom vehicle shopsCollision repair shops, auto service centers
Industry UsageVehicle manufacturing, custom vehicle buildsAuto repair, collision restoration

Vehicle Body Builders focus on constructing and assembling vehicle bodies, often working in manufacturing or custom build environments. Auto Body Technicians primarily repair and restore vehicle exteriors after damage. While both roles involve working with vehicle shells, their work environments and primary tasks differ significantly.

What cities are hiring for Vehicle Body Builder jobs?

Cities with the most Vehicle Body Builder job openings:

What states have the most Vehicle Body Builder jobs?

States with the most job openings for Vehicle Body Builder jobs include:

What are popular job titles related to Vehicle Body Builder jobs?

For Vehicle Body Builder jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Vehicle Body Builder job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 67% Full Time, 32% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $65,060 per year, or $31.3 per hour.

Electrical Wire Harness Engineer

Elkhart, IN • On-site

Optimal Inc.
51 - 200 employees
Learn more about Optimal Inc.external

Full-time

Posted 17 days ago

Job description

Position SummaryOptimal EV is seeking an E/E Electrical System and Harness Engineer based in Elkhart, Indiana to support the design, development, integration, and production launch of vehicle wiring harnesses and electrical systems for electric commercial vehicles.This role will work closely with Engineering, Production, body builders, suppliers, and Controls teams to ensure harness designs are practical, manufacturable, serviceable, and correctly integrated into the vehicle. The position will have a strong hands-on focus and will support vehicle builds directly at the Elkhart production/body integration site.Key ResponsibilitiesCreate and maintain:Wiring diagrams and schematicsHarness drawingsConnector and pinout definitionsWire sizing and circuit protection requirementsHarness routing and mounting documentationElectrical BOMs and release documentationDesign and develop vehicle low-voltage wiring harnesses and electrical interfaces.Troubleshoot electrical issues using schematics, multimeters, CAN tools, and other diagnostic equipment.Support root-cause analysis of production, field, and service electrical issues.Work directly with body builders and production teams to resolve harness routing, installation, packaging, and interface issues.Support prototype and production vehicle builds at the Elkhart facility.Support electrical architecture development for current and future vehicle platforms.Develop modular and reusable harness designs across multiple vehicle configurations where practical.Define electrical interfaces between chassis, body, controls, charging, and auxiliary systems.Integrate components including:VCUs and body controllersBattery and high-voltage interface systemsInverters and motorsEVCC and charging systemsDC/DC convertersThermal systemsSmart PDUsLighting and body systemsSensors and actuatorsSupport CAN and LIN network integration.Work with harness suppliers to review designs, prototypes, tooling, and production readiness.Coordinate electrical design changes with Mechanical, Controls, Manufacturing, Quality, and Service teams.Support engineering change and release processes.Improve harness installation time, serviceability, standardization, and production quality.Be willing to travel to Plymouth, customer sites, suppliers, and other production locations as needed.Required QualificationsBachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Automotive Engineering, or related field.Experience with automotive wiring harness design or vehicle electrical systems.Ability to read and create electrical schematics and wiring diagrams.Understanding of:Automotive connectorsWire sizingFuses and relaysGroundingCircuit protectionPower distributionFamiliarity with CAN communication and vehicle networks.Hands-on vehicle electrical troubleshooting experience.Ability to work directly with production technicians and engineering teams.Strong problem-solving and documentation skills.Preferred QualificationsExperience with commercial vehicles, buses, specialty vehicles, or electric vehicles.Experience using CATIA Electrical, Capital, Zuken, AutoCAD Electrical, or similar electrical/harness design tools.Experience with harness routing and packaging in a 3D CAD environment.Knowledge of high-voltage EV systems.Experience with CAN/LIN network architecture.Knowledge of EMI/EMC and automotive grounding practices.Experience working with wiring harness suppliers.Familiarity with engineering release, BOM, and ECN processes.Experience supporting low-volume or prototype vehicle production.Work LocationElkhart, IndianaThis is primarily an onsite, hands-on engineering role supporting vehicle body integration, harness installation, production, and troubleshooting.What Success Looks LikeHarness designs are released before vehicle builds require them.Electrical interfaces between the chassis and body are clearly defined and standardized.Production teams can install harnesses consistently with minimal rework.Electrical issues are identified and resolved quickly during prototype and production builds.Harness designs become increasingly modular and reusable across vehicle platforms.Engineering changes are properly documented and incorporated into production.About us:Optimal Inc operates through two specialized divisions: Optimal EV & Optimal Staffing.Our electric vehicle division, Optimal EV, specializes in the design, engineering, and manufacturing of zero-emission, low-floor electric shuttle buses and advanced mobility solutions. We proudly design, engineer, and manufacture our vehicles in the United States, with our engineering and research center located in Plymouth and our manufacturing facility in Elkhart.Through Optimal Staffing, we are a trusted partner to major automakers-including Ford Motor Company, Stellantis, and General Motors-as well as numerous OEMs and tiered component suppliers across the automotive industry, delivering high-quality workforce solutions and industry expertise.Headquartered in Michigan, Optimal Inc. has been providing staffing services since 1986.