Automotive Search

Automotive Manufacturing Recruiters

We place the plant leaders, engineers, and quality professionals who run high-volume automotive and vehicle manufacturing on lean systems and just-in-time supply chains.

50+
Years In Industrial Search
IATF 16949
Quality Fluent
All 50
States Covered
Top 1%
Of Candidates Presented
Hire Automotive Manufacturing Talent
Tell us about the automotive role you need to fill — we respond within one business day.

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The Search

Why this hire is hard — and how we get it right

Automotive runs on a discipline few other industries can match: PPAP-approved, IATF-audited, takt-paced, and unforgiving of variation. The leaders who succeed here think in seconds and parts-per-million, and the EV transition is now layering a whole new set of skills on top of that.

The hiring challenge is twofold. First, true automotive discipline — APQP, PPAP, launch, customer scorecards — is specific and not easily faked. Second, the EV and battery buildout is competing hard for the same experienced people while demanding new competencies. Generalist manufacturing leaders often struggle in this environment.

We recruit automotive across Tier 1, Tier 2, and OEM — sourcing plant leaders, quality professionals, and engineers who've launched programs, recovered scorecards, and run high-volume lines, including the EV and battery talent the industry is racing to secure.

What We Recruit

Automotive Talent We Place

Tier 1, Tier 2, and OEM — we recruit the people who keep high-volume lines running and PPAPs approved.

Plant & Operations

Plant managers and operations leaders for high-volume, multi-shift automotive production.

Quality (IATF 16949)

SQE, quality engineers, and managers who own APQP, PPAP, and customer scorecards.

Manufacturing Engineering

Process, tooling, and automation engineers for stamping, molding, welding, and assembly.

Lean & Continuous Improvement

TPS- and lean-driven leaders who cut cycle time, scrap, and cost.

Executive & Program

Directors and VPs who manage launches, customer relationships, and the operating P&L.

Our Bar

What we look for before we send you a candidate

Real IATF 16949 discipline

Has owned APQP, PPAP, and customer scorecards — not just worked near them.

Launched programs, not just run them

Experience taking new programs from PPAP through stable production.

Thinks in PPM and takt

Comfortable in a high-volume, low-variation environment where seconds and defects compound.

Customer-facing credibility

Can hold up in front of demanding OEM and Tier 1 customers during a recovery or audit.

EV-ready where it matters

For EV and battery roles, genuine exposure to the new processes and quality demands, not just willingness to learn.

Market Reality

Automotive comp is competitive given the discipline required — plant managers commonly $130K–$200K, quality and engineering $85K–$140K, with EV and battery roles bidding up as the buildout accelerates. We benchmark to tier, volume, and region.

Questions

Frequently asked

Do you recruit for EV and battery manufacturing?

Yes — it's one of the fastest-growing parts of our automotive work, and we source leaders with genuine EV and battery process and quality experience, not just transferable backgrounds.

Are your candidates IATF 16949 experienced?

Yes — APQP, PPAP, and customer-scorecard discipline is exactly what we screen for, and we distinguish real automotive quality experience from generic backgrounds.

Do you work Tier 1, Tier 2, and OEM?

All three, plus aftermarket and specialty vehicle. We match candidates to the tier and customer set you operate in.

How long does an automotive search take?

Most close in 30–60 days; EV/battery and senior launch roles can run longer given competition for the talent. We give you a realistic timeline.

What do automotive leaders earn?

Plant managers commonly $130K–$200K, quality and engineering $85K–$140K, with EV/battery at the higher end. We benchmark to tier, volume, and region.

Do you work retained or contingent?

Both, depending on how critical and confidential the role is.

Areas We Cover

We place talent across every specialization

StampingInjection MoldingWelding & AssemblyEV & BatteryPowertrainTier 1 & Tier 2 SuppliersSpecialty VehicleAftermarket

Ready to fill your automotive role?

Tell us about the program, the platform, and the plant — we'll deliver automotive leaders who have launched and run the same kind of line.