Automotive Communications and Robotics Journalist

About the role

Automotive News is seeking an ambitious, forward-looking journalist to cover one of the most consequential shifts in the global automotive industry: the transformation of how vehicles are designed, sourced, built, and delivered. This role sits at the intersection of manufacturing, robotics, artificial intelligence, supply chains, and industrial strategy. The successful candidate will help industry leaders understand how emerging technologies, geopolitical forces, workforce changes, and new production models are reshaping the automotive value chain.

Rather than covering a traditional beat, this journalist will own a set of critical questions facing the industry:

• How will AI change engineering, sourcing, and manufacturing?
• What will the factory of the future look like?
• How are automakers and suppliers building more resilient supply chains?
• Which technologies are truly transformative and which are overhyped?
• How will labor, productivity, costs, and competitiveness evolve?
• Which companies are best positioned to win in this new industrial era?

This journalist will break news, develop deep sourcing, deliver analysis, and identify emerging trends before they become mainstream. They will produce journalism across platforms and formats, collaborating closely with our video, social, audio, data, and events teams.

The ideal candidate combines strong reporting instincts with intellectual curiosity, understands how professional audiences consume information across channels, and is comfortable serving as a visible representative of the Automotive News brand.

Location: The Journalist will work from one of the Crain offices if within commuting distance or remote from a state in which Crain has employees: AZ, CA, CO, IL, MD, MA, MI, MN, NV, NY, NC, OH, OR, TN, TX, VA, WA, WI, and Washington, DC. Will work CT or ET hours.

Responsibilities

Own coverage of manufacturing innovation and industrial transformation

• Break exclusive news on manufacturing strategy, factory investments, supply chain developments, and emerging technologies.
• Cover how AI is transforming engineering, design, purchasing, logistics, and production operations.
• Report on advances in robotics, automation, autonomous systems, and next-generation manufacturing technologies.
• Examine how digital twins, simulation, additive manufacturing, software-defined production systems, and advanced analytics are changing vehicle development and production economics.
• Track the evolution of supply chain strategies, sourcing decisions, reshoring efforts, and critical materials procurement.
• Analyze how geopolitical shifts, trade policy, and industrial policy affect manufacturing footprints and investment decisions.
• Explain the implications of automation and technology adoption for labor, skills, productivity, and competitiveness.
• Identify emerging startups, technologies, and business models influencing the future of automotive manufacturing.

Deliver differentiated journalism

• Produce exclusive news, enterprise reporting, investigations, profiles, and explanatory journalism.
• Translate complex technical and industrial topics into clear, actionable insights for automotive decision-makers.
• Help readers understand not just what happened, but why it matters and what comes next.
• Develop a strong network of sources across automakers, suppliers, technology companies, startups, universities, investors, consultants, and policymakers.

Create multi-platform journalism

• Collaborate with video, audio, social media, and data teams to extend reporting across platforms.
• Contribute to newsletters, podcasts, video programs, data products, and live journalism experiences.
• Work with colleagues in North America, Europe, and Asia to identify global trends and produce coordinated coverage.
• Serve as an on-camera or on-stage representative of Automotive News when appropriate.

Events & Industry Engagement

• Moderate panels, interviews, and discussions at Automotive News events.
• Represent Automotive News at industry conferences, manufacturing facilities, and technology showcases.
• Build relationships with executives, engineers, innovators, investors, and policymakers shaping the future of mobility and manufacturing.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in journalism, communications, or related field, or equivalent experience.
• Three or more years of journalism experience.
• Demonstrated success producing high-impact business journalism and breaking exclusive news.
• Experience covering automotive, manufacturing, technology, transportation, industrials, business, or related sectors.
• Exceptional reporting, interviewing, and writing skills.
• Ability to explain complex technical topics in clear, engaging language.
• Strong news judgment and analytical thinking.
• Ability to connect technological developments to business strategy and competitive advantage.
• Experience developing executive-level sources.
• Comfort working across text, video, audio, social, and live journalism formats.
• Familiarity with data analysis, financial disclosures, and regulatory documents.
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally.
• Interest in experimenting with new storytelling formats and audience engagement approaches.

What Success Looks Like

This journalist establishes Automotive News as the industry's essential source for understanding the future of manufacturing, supply chains, and industrial technology. They consistently break news, identify emerging trends before competitors, and develop deep sourcing across automakers, suppliers, technology companies, startups, researchers, and investors. Their journalism helps readers understand:

• How manufacturing is evolving in an era of AI and automation.
• How supply chains are being redesigned for resilience and competitiveness.
• How technology is changing engineering, sourcing, and production.
• Which innovations will meaningfully reshape the industry.
• How industrial strategy will influence the next generation of automotive winners.

About Automotive News

Automotive News is the leading source of news, data, and insight for the global automotive industry. For more than 100 years, Automotive News has connected industry leaders with the reporting, analysis, and intelligence they need to make better business decisions. As we enter our second century, we are evolving how we deliver journalism across platforms, formats, and experiences to serve an industry undergoing profound transformation.

Automotive News, Automotive News Europe, and Automotive News China are created locally and are backed by a global team of 50 editors and reporters, as well as a commitment to journalistic excellence. Breaking news, data, daily newscasts, webinars, conferences, and events are just some of the offerings.

About Crain Communications

Crain Communications is a leading business news and information company with a portfolio of 24 media brands that provide indispensable coverage and data for professionals globally and across sectors, including advertising, automotive, finance, healthcare, staffing, and workforce solutions. Many of Crain’s brands are the most influential media properties in the industries and communities they serve, including Ad Age, Automotive News, Pensions & Investments, Modern Healthcare, Staffing Industry Analysts, as well as Crain’s regional business brands.

Pay

The estimated salary range for this position is $60,000 to $90,000. The final salary offering will take into account experience, accomplishments, and location. In addition to base salary, Crain offers competitive benefits, including retirement plan savings contributions and bonus opportunities based on individual and company performance.