Scouts Go Farther - Jared Schaab
Welcome to our Scout Motors employee spotlight featuring Senior Software Engineer, Jared Schaab.
Some people measure their time at Scout Motors in milestones. For Jared Schaab, Frontend Senior Software Engineer, it’s the moments in between that tell the real story.
Two stand out the most.
“The first is the nostalgic reactions I get from people when I tell them I work at Scout (Motors),” Jared said. “Their eyes light up and they sometimes share a little story about how their dad or other family members had a Scout and how they loved the car. Those interactions with people really highlight that this is more than just a car company, this is a core part of people’s lives and being a part of bringing that back to life is really exciting.”
The second? A countdown clock.
When Scout Motors’ new website launched just before Scout Motors’ national reveal, it wasn’t just another normal day for Jared and team — it was a moment.
“I built the countdown page that led up to the livestream,” Jared explained. “Watching that clock hit zero and seeing the site go live after so much work from our team and me was really rewarding.”
As a software developer, his role spans everything from writing code and leading projects to reviewing teammates’ work and participating in interview panels to help grow his team. But what stands out is the energy he brings.
“We’re a small team, but we’re pretty close,” he says. “I’m usually the first one to throw out a dad joke and see if it sticks.”
That’s the kind of fun-loving spirit — focused, collaborative, and just a little bit playful — that he brings to work every day.
“Jared has a rare combination of technical brilliance, genuine passion for his work, and a collaborative spirit that elevates the entire team,” said Jared’s Manager Pranjal Shah, Sr. Manager, Software Engineering. “Beyond being a sharp engineer and dependable teammate, his wit and humor create a positive, lighthearted environment that makes working together both productive and enjoyable.”
When Jared isn’t coding or collaborating with his teammates, life in the Pacific Northwest keeps him active with his family. Whether it’s coaching one of his sons’ teams, playing softball with his wife, hitting the ice for a hockey game, or heading out for a weekend in the woods, he’s always on the move.
Their love of the outdoors has Jared and his wife already dreaming of where their new Scout® vehicle will go first.
“Probably the coast,” Jared said. “My wife’s already planning a photoshoot.”
Hockey is another thread in Jared’s story. Originally from Canada, Jared grew up playing but took a long break after a mini “retirement” when his equipment got ruined. That changed when his youngest signed up for skating lessons, sparking something in Jared.
“Watching him out there made me wonder if I still had it,” he said.
So, after 12 years off the ice, Jared brushed off the skates and signed up for a league this past January.
“There was definitely some rust,” he laughs, “But I put my mind to it and practiced as much as I could.”
Now, hockey is back in the mix — another way Jared channels his energy, focus, and love for a good challenge.
That serious sense of drive that possessed Jared to get back on the ice is well balanced by his sense of playfulness, which shows up in every part of his life.
“I think my mom says it best: I’m a goofball,” Jared said. “Life’s better with a smile than a scowl.”
It’s a quality his wife loves about him, and one his kids know well – from running around the park, diving into pillow fights and even rapping the “Fresh Prince” theme song.
If given the chance, Jared’s dream outing would be dinner with Will Smith — someone he’s admired for decades.
“I grew up listening to his albums, watched Fresh Prince, most of his movies, even read his autobiography. I’d love to talk about self-discovery and how he’s navigated adversity.”
Menu? Steak, mashed potatoes, and roasted veggies.
Whether it’s Will Smith or a random guy on the street, Jared has a curiosity about people and how they grow. It’s inspired his reading choices, too. Books like “Permission to Feel” have left a mark.
“The idea that understanding your emotions can help you understand everything else? That really resonates,” Jared said.
From writing code to planning road trips in his future Scout Traveler, Jared brings the same mix of drive, humor, and curiosity to everything he does — at Scout Motors, at home, and everywhere in between.
