Job description: Please note: Despite the name, Brightside Auto Salon is an automotive shop, not a hair or beauty salon. This job involves washing, prepping, and protecting cars. Brightside Auto Salon is a growing automotive protection shop, currently located in south Austin with plans to relocate to north Austin in the coming months, specializing in paint protection film (PPF), ceramic coating, window tint, and vinyl wrap. We are Central Texas's only STEK Black Label certified installer, and our work runs from daily drivers to exotics and race cars. We are looking for a Vehicle Prep Technician to join our small team. No experience needed — two of our current team started right here. This is a hands-on, in-the-shop role. You will be the first set of hands on every car that comes through the door and the last set of eyes before it leaves. It's an excellent entry point into the automotive protection industry: you'll learn professional wash and decontamination methods, surface prep, and quality inspection, and you'll work directly alongside certified installers every day. The ideal candidate follows instructions carefully, works autonomously once trained, and takes real pride in a car leaving cleaner and better than it arrived.

Responsibilities:

Vehicle Prep:

Wash, decontaminate, and prep vehicles for PPF, ceramic coating, tint, and wrap installation to our shop standard. Our prep process is far more thorough than a normal wash — every edge, seam, and gap gets brushed out by hand — and you'll be trained on exactly how we do it.

Installation Support:

Assist installers during jobs with surface cleaning, panel prep, tool handoff, film handling, and other tasks as directed.

Shop Maintenance:

Keep the shop clean, organized, and safe. Sweep, mop, wipe down surfaces, empty waste, keep tools and equipment stored properly, and keep work areas free of hazards. Restock consumables and flag when supplies are running low.

Quality Control:

Visually inspect completed work under proper lighting for defects, high spots, contamination, and missed areas before the customer sees it. Report anything that's off to the installation team.

Vehicle Transportation:

Occasionally pick up or drop off customer vehicles across town, or move vehicles around the shop and lot, safely and responsibly. A valid driver's license and clean driving record are required.

Delivery Prep:

Final wipe-down and presentation of finished vehicles for customer pickup.

Note:

Responsibilities may vary depending on experience and ability. You may occasionally be asked to complete tasks not listed above.

Requirements:

Availability:

Ability to work 25-40 hours per week between 10am-6pm, Monday-Friday.

Upcoming Relocation:

Our shop is currently in south Austin (78745), but we are moving to north Austin in the coming months. Candidates must be willing and able to commute to north Austin once the move happens. Attention to

Detail:

A strong eye for detail and the patience to work meticulously. This job is about the last 5% most people don't notice.

Physical Stamina:

Ability to stand for long periods, lift heavy objects, and bend, kneel, or crouch in awkward positions, often on wet floors.

Team Player:

Good communication and a cooperative attitude in a small, close-knit shop.

Reliability:

Punctuality and a strong work ethic are essential. Cars are scheduled around you showing up.

Coachability:

Willing to learn and follow a specific process, and to ask when unsure rather than guess.

Valid Driver's License:

A valid driver's license, clean driving record, and reliable transportation are required. Comfortable driving high-value vehicles.

Experience:

None required. We'd rather teach the right person our process from scratch than un-teach habits. What we care about is patience, precision, and wanting to get good at something. This role offers an hourly wage starting at $15.00, with raises up to $18.00 based on performance reviews, and overtime available when the schedule is full. You'll also get employee pricing on the same services we sell — full-front PPF or a ceramic coating on your own car costs you a fraction of the retail price. We run an apprentice model. Two members of our current team started in this exact role and learned the trade on the shop floor — one now installs film, the other leads our tint and commercial work. Prep is where everyone begins because it's where the craft is built; from there, people who show the aptitude and work ethic move toward paint correction, ceramic coating, window tint, and eventually film. We can't promise a timeline — that part is up to you — but the path is real and we've walked it twice. If you love cars, care about doing things the right way, and want to grow with a shop that takes its craft seriously, we encourage you to apply. Look on the Brightside.

Benefits:

Employee pricing on premium services (PPF, ceramic coating, window tint, wrap) for your own vehicle Overtime available during busy periods Flexible schedule Paid, hands-on training in PPF, ceramic coating, tint, and wrap prep

Job Type:

Part-time Pay:

$15.00 - $16.00 per hour Expected hours: 25.0 - 45.0 per week

Benefits:

Employee discount Flexible schedule On-the-job training Shift availability: Day Shift (Required) Ability to

Relocate:

Austin, TX 78745: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location:

In person