Senior Associate, Industry Technical Relations

Senior Associate, Industry Technical Relations

About I-CAR:

The Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair (I-CAR) is a growing, not-for-profit organization, headquartered in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, serving the automotive collision repair industry globally. The organization was established by representatives of the collision repair, automotive, and insurance industries in 1979 and has doubled its revenue over the last six years.

Today, the I-CAR brand is stronger than it has been in 40 years of operation and has gained a worldwide reputation. There is momentum and excitement among its committed workforce, instructors and volunteers to continue to help the organization grow and expand its breadth of reach and scale. I-CAR leadership believes that the future of the organization will be importantly influenced by its continuing innovation and relevance of its products, technical programs and services.

Job Summary

Assists in research, organization, and communication of technical procedures, best practices, and related publications to I-CAR associates and inter-industry representatives. Researches and helps develop technical procedures, publications, and course material for I-CAR, OEMs, equipment makers, and product manufacturers. Organizes material and completes writing assignments according to order, clarity, conciseness, style, and terminology standards.

Key Relationships:

• Supervisor, Industry Technical Relations: Provides daily direction and collaborates on project priorities.
• Manager, RTS & OEM Relations: Supports in developing research, testing, and product specifications.
• Director, Technical Programs & Services (Curriculum & Product Development): Assists with high-level planning and ensures alignment with I-CAR’s strategic initiatives.

Participates in research and testing activities to establish collision-repair best practices. Obtains and interprets information from global collision industry sources to inform the development of materials and videos for I-CAR. Provides technical support and acts as on-camera talent for video and photography of repair procedures and processes.

Primary Responsibilities

• Technical Inquiry Support (Ask I-CAR)
• Research and respond to technical inquiries using OEM and I-CAR best practices to ensure accuracy and minimize liability.
• Maintain the inquiry database, track follow-ups, and coordinate with subject-matter experts (SMEs) and authors to verify technical details.
• Content Development & Knowledge Portal
• Create and maintain technical articles, videos, podcasts, and other media that communicate collision-repair information effectively.
• Manage web-based tools (basic HTML, Brightcove, Photoshop) and evaluate new platforms to improve technical content delivery.
• Coordinate distribution of technical information—updating OEM Restraint Systems Parts Replacement, Partial Part Replacement, Hybrid/Electric Vehicle Disable, Calibration Requirements, and other I-CAR matrices via File Maker Pro.
• Monitor and update I-CAR Repairability Technical Support social media channels; log and track technical inquiries in the inquiry database.
• Technical Subject-Matter Expertise (SME)
• Provide SME assistance to OEMs, collision industry partners, and I-CAR staff; support Repairability Summits by researching content, attending meetings, and documenting discussions.
• Conduct research and testing to define collision-repair best practices; interpret information from worldwide industry sources to develop curriculum, contracts, and cooperative-agreement projects.
• Develop and maintain technical documentation (manuals, guides, checklists) to support I-CAR training materials.
• Serve as on-camera SME for in-house technical videos and photography, guiding demonstrations of repair procedures.
• Technical Analysis & Problem Solving
• Strong analytical mindset; able to dissect complex collision-repair challenges and propose clear solutions.
• Communication (Oral & Written)
• Exceptional ability to present technical information concisely and clearly, tailored for instructors, associates, and OEM partners.
• Customer-Focused & Relationship Building
• Proactively identifies stakeholder needs; adept at fostering positive relationships…