Automotive Production Technician Jobs in Arlington, TX
At GM Arlington Assembly, the plant that has built full-size SUVs in the city since 1954, production technicians are the skilled operators who keep the line running, not just staff a single station. As GM has added robotics and automation to the Tahoe, Suburban, Yukon, and Escalade lines, demand has shifted toward technicians who can run and monitor automated cells, not just hand-assemble, and that pays more than entry assembly work.
Current production technician Openings in Arlington, TX
Listings marked External are sponsored openings provided by the Jobs2Careers network.
Top Arlington Employers Hiring Automotive Production Technicians
The GM plant and its tier-one suppliers drive most production technician hiring locally.
- GM Arlington Assembly - line and automated-cell production technicians across three shifts.
- Faurecia (Forvia) - seating and interior production feeding the GM line.
- Lear Corporation - seating and electrical systems production.
- Android Industries - module sequencing and sub-assembly technicians.
- Inteva Products - interior components and closures production.
- Poly-America - large Grand Prairie/Arlington-area manufacturer hiring production techs.
Automotive Production Technician Salaries in Arlington
- Entry level: about $18 to $22 per hour.
- Experienced: about $22 to $30 per hour.
- Senior / lead: $30 to $38+ per hour for lead technicians and those running automated cells on the GM scale.
These are estimates that vary by employer, shift, and seniority. GM UAW roles add medical, dental, vision, retirement contributions, paid time off, shift premiums, and overtime pay.
How to Become an Automotive Production Technician in Arlington
Most roles require a high school diploma or GED; increasingly, employers prefer a manufacturing certificate or some technical coursework. Tarrant County College offers programs in industrial technology, mechatronics, and manufacturing that map directly to these jobs, and its Advanced Manufacturing pathways are built for exactly this work. No state license is required. Many technicians start as assemblers and cross-train, or come in through a supplier and move to GM. Basic machine, PLC, and troubleshooting familiarity is what separates a technician from an assembler.
What the Job Involves
Production technicians operate and monitor manufacturing equipment and automated cells, load and unload parts, perform quality checks, clear minor jams and faults, and complete first-level maintenance to keep the line at takt time. They log data, follow standardized work, and escalate bigger breakdowns to skilled trades. The pace is steady and the environment is a loud, active plant floor.
Skills Employers Look For
- Mechanical aptitude and basic troubleshooting
- Comfort operating and monitoring automated equipment and robots
- Ability to read work instructions, gauges, and basic controls
- Reliable attendance and comfort with rotating shifts and overtime
- Quality focus and attention to detail
- Ability to stand for full shifts and lift up to 50 pounds
Career Path and Advancement
Production technicians advance to lead technician, process technician, quality inspector, or into skilled-trades apprenticeships (electrician, millwright, robotics maintenance) that carry the highest hourly rates in the plant. Building PLC, robotics, and maintenance skills is the fastest way up. At GM, the UAW skilled-trades ladder is the classic long-term path.
Related Careers in Arlington
If production technician work interests you, these related Arlington roles are close neighbors.
- Automotive Assembler Jobs
- Robotics Maintenance Technician Jobs
- Quality Control Inspector Jobs
- Stamping Press Operator Jobs
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need a license to be an automotive production technician in Arlington?
No. Texas does not require a state license for this role. A high school diploma or GED is standard, and a manufacturing or mechatronics certificate from a school like Tarrant County College strengthens your application but is not mandatory.
How long does it take to become an automotive production technician?
If you already work in manufacturing, you can move into a technician role quickly with on-the-job training over a few weeks. Coming in fresh, a one- or two-semester technical certificate plus entry experience typically gets you there within a year.
What is the difference between an assembler and a production technician?
An assembler installs parts at a station by hand. A production technician runs and monitors machines and automated cells, handles quality checks, and troubleshoots minor faults. The technician role requires more mechanical and controls knowledge and generally pays more.
Can automotive production technician work be done remotely in Arlington?
No. This is hands-on plant-floor work at GM or a supplier facility. There is no remote option.
Which Arlington employer pays production technicians the most?
GM Arlington Assembly generally pays the most for direct technicians on the UAW scale once shift premiums, overtime, and benefits are included, especially for those running automated cells. Suppliers can be a quicker entry point at slightly lower pay.
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