New Auto Service Career Mod

Hi everyone!

I've been playing the Auto Service Career mod, and while I really like the idea, it seems it hasn't been updated in quite some time.

I'd love to create a completely new Active Automotive Mechanic Career from scratch for The Sims 4.

My idea is to make it feel closer to an official Get to Work career, with progression, unique gameplay, and custom interactions.

Some ideas I have so far:

• Start as an Apprentice Mechanic cleaning oil spills and organizing tools.
• Perform oil changes, brake repairs, battery replacements, engine diagnostics, electrical repairs, and full vehicle inspections.
• Cars that are actually clickable and have different repair interactions.
• Hydraulic lifts that unlock at higher career levels.
• At level 6, choose between two branches:
  • Automotive Engineering (vehicle design and development)
  • Technical Specialist (engines, electrical systems, diagnostics, ECU programming, etc.)

I have experience with programming in general, but I'm completely new to Sims 4 modding.

I'd really appreciate any advice on:

Which tools are considered essential today?

Is XML tuning enough for most of this, or will I need Python from the beginning?

Are there any open-source active career mods that are good examples?

I'd love to learn how to build this properly instead of making a quick edit of an existing mod.

Thanks!