Prototype Engineering Technician
Autocar · Birmingham, AL
- Level
- Engineer
- Team
- Manufacturing
- Industry
- Automotive
- Posted
- Recently
The role in 30 seconds
An engineer-level manufacturing role at Autocar (automotive) in Birmingham, AL. Autocar’s severe-duty vocational trucks provide customers with the perfect tool for their jobs with the most uptime, support, and impact on their bottom line.
- Tools it names
- Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ), Welding, Tooling, CATIA / NX, EHS / safety
- Day to day
- some off-shift / weekend coverage
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of November 2, 2026
Manufacturing Engineer roles in Alabama: typical posted base $77k–$110k.
Median of the low and high ends of 7 live postings that list pay, out of 46 manufacturing engineer openings in Alabama, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
Alabama plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 45 other live manufacturing postings in Alabama.
- Base pay
- Not listed in this posting
- Experience asked
- Not stated
Typical $77k–$110k, from 6 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 3+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ Tooling 65%
- Root cause 59%
- ✓ Welding 43%
- FMEA 41%
- Machining 39%
- ✓ Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ) 33%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
Stands out: this posting asks for EHS / safety, which few similar roles mention. If you have it, lead with it.
At a glance
Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.
How to get in at this plant
Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.
- 1
Pick 2–3 people on the Manufacturing team at Autocar
Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. Use the team search on this page to find them.
- 2
Send a short, curious note
One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.
- 3
Turn a reply into a short call
Questions worth asking about this team:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- Is the work mostly new product launches or sustaining existing lines?
- How much time do you spend on the floor versus at a desk?
- How does off-shift and weekend coverage work?
- How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
- 4
Apply with someone vouching for you
If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.
- 5
Bring proof to the interview
One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.
This plant: Autocar in Birmingham
1 other open role at this site.
- Industrial Engineer · Industrial
Full description from AutocarAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Responsibilities
- ◆Assemble prototype, engineering, validation, and special build vehicles. Install and validate parts & components on engineering and method build vehicles.
- ◆Provide feedback to design engineers related to Bills of Materials, installation, validation, accessibility, and maintainability issues.
- ◆Work with design engineers to create prototype parts that are representative of design ideas/concepts as needed .
- ◆Manufacture prototype parts , special tools and fixtures .
- ◆Assists with fabrication, assembly, modification and debugging of test systems.
- ◆Support in-house or field testing.
- ◆Perform simple electrical assembly (i.e. wiring, connectors, circuit boards)
- ◆Assist Autocar production initiatives by supporting part manufacturing/modification needs and implementation of new designs to production line .
- ◆Rework of production components to support short lead-time of special options.
- ◆Maintain a safe working environment through good housekeeping practices and adherence to safe work practices .
- ◆Periodic travel may be required to address issues at customer’s locations or support test and evaluation activities.
- ◆Other duties may be assigned .
E ducation and Experience
- ✓One to two years related experience and/or training.
- ✓Heavy truck vehicle product knowledge is a plus.
- ✓Fabrication knowledge and process is desirable.
- ✓Welding experience is a plus
- ✓Truck manufacturing build/process experience will be desirable.
Language Skills
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret blueprints and schematics required.
Mathematical Skills
Ability to interpret dimensions on a print and make modifications as necessary. Basic shop math skills are required. Ability to make concept prints for parts during prototyping phase.
Reasoning Ability
Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. The ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
Computer Skills
A working knowledge of the following will be an advantage for the candidate:
- ✓MS Office
- ✓UG NX or other CAD software
- ✓Teamcenter
Physical
Requirements
- ✓Capable of wearing task specific personal protective equipment which may include dust mask, air purifying respirator (i.e., half and/or full faced), safety shoes, gloves, safety glasses, and ear protection.
- ✓Capable of meeting OSHA standards for manual lifting guidelines: < 50lbs
- ✓While performing the duties of this job it is required to stand, walk, and use hands to operate objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands or arms; climb, balance, stoop, kneel, or crouch when necessary for job activity.
- ✓Ability to stand and/or walk for extended periods.
- ✓Ability to work in a variety of weather conditions and temperatures.
Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
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Job description: prototype technician
Autocar, LLC , a manufacturer of severe-duty vocational trucks carrying the first specialized truck brand in North America, is the only American-owned and operated original equipment manufacturer (OEM) of trucks. Autocar’s severe-duty vocational trucks provide customers with the perfect tool for their jobs with the most uptime, support, and impact on their bottom line. Autocar collaborates with customers to build trucks to their exact specifications and needs. Autocar’s purpose-built severe-duty refuse truck lines include the Class 6-8 ACMD cabover, Class 8 ACX cabover and the DC-64 Class 8 conventional cab. Autocar recognizes that performance and uptime are everything and offers every customer 24/7 access to its ALWAYS UP® direct factory support center staffed by expert technicians who engineer and build Autocar’s trucks. Autocar promises to provide trucks that deliver the best value, provide the best service, and provide a complete solution for customers’ needs.
Job Overview
This position is responsible for the manufacture , assembly and validation of p rototypes and t esting vehicles, systems, and components.
Essential Job
