Automotive engineer jobs

Automotive engineers are members of a larger team that is responsible for the design, development, manufacturing, and testing of motor vehicles.

What exactly does it mean to be an automobile engineer? Common employers | Education and experience requirements | Essential skill sets

Automotive engineers are responsible for the conception, production, distribution, marketing, and sales of automobiles (including racing automobiles), motorcycles, and other types of commercial vehicles, as well as the after-sales maintenance of these products. The aesthetics and technical performance of these cars, as well as, increasingly, the electronics and software associated with contemporary automobiles, will be areas of focus for the engineers working on them.

In most cases, the following are included among the responsibilities of the job:

analyzing project requirements

collaborating with customers and management to get an agreement on and negotiate project costs, timeframes, and specs

creating new testing methods and putting them into practice

constructing working models of the components in order to conduct testing on them

organizing and carrying out experiments, such as those to determine whether or not engines will function under a variety of situations, including high temperatures

analyzing and doing analysis on the data and outcomes

locating components for vehicles and determining which materials are the highest quality to use

providing customers with technical guidance and responding to questions they may have

generating designs via the use of specialized computer modeling software

making modifications to cars in response to comments and suggestions from customers

discovering and finding solutions to issues, such as mechanical breakdowns

maintaining tight relationships with one's providers

creating written documentation and reports.

delivering presentations

doing out study that is pertinent

managing more junior employees.

You may learn more about automotive engineering by reading our comprehensive review of the automotive industry sector, which was prepared by an automotive engineer with years of expertise.

The typical types of companies that hire automotive engineers

The vast majority of automotive engineers work for automobile manufacturers; nevertheless, alternative employers include the following:

tire manufacturers and suppliers

specialized car design firms

labs for research and testing

teams competing in motorsports

oil and fuel corporations

suppliers.

Individuals who have appropriate expertise and many years of it are able to pursue self-employment opportunities such as consulting and contract work.

There are a variety of places where job openings can be found advertised, including online, in newspapers, by careers services and recruitment agencies, in relevant publications such as TARGETjobs Engineering, Automotive Engineer, The Engineer, Engineering and Professional Engineering, as well as the online equivalents of these publications. Applications, particularly those addressed to bigger firms, should be submitted in the beginning stages of the academic year. Additionally, many chances may be found working for more modest engineering companies. Here you will discover assistance in locating opportunities with smaller engineering organizations and applying for such positions, as well.

Take a look at our engineering CV and covering letter guidelines, as well as our advise on filling out online applications, for assistance with the job application process for engineering positions.

Read this roundup of engineering salaries to get an idea of how much money you might make if you choose a career in engineering.

The prerequisites of qualification and experience

There are entry points available for those who have completed their education as well as those who have just left school. Graduates will be required to have a degree in a field that is relevant to the position, such as automotive, mechanical, or electrical engineering; production and manufacturing engineering; engineering design; or physics. Some businesses need applicants to have a degree with a 2.1 grade point average, while others would accept candidates with a 2.2 grade point average. Have a look at our compilation of companies that are willing to hire someone with a 2.2 degree in engineering.

In certain cases, you will need to have a postgraduate degree in order to get hired. On the website of the Engineering Council, you can find a list of certified courses, and if you want to investigate your possibilities further, you can read our article on the postgraduate alternatives available in engineering.

Apprenticeships are another option for those who want to break into a certain field. Apprenticeships in the field of vehicle technology are offered at both an intermediate and an advanced level; moreover, you have the option of specializing in either light or heavy vehicles. There are opportunities for more advanced and higher levels of apprenticeships in automotive engineering at some of the bigger automotive corporations. Visit the engineering part of TARGETcareers, our website that is designed for for high school and college students, to learn more about entering the field of engineering as a school leaver.

Earning the Chartered Engineer (CEng) designation from the Engineering Council is a great way to show your expertise and dedication to the engineering industry. You will need an accredited bachelor's degree in engineering or technology in addition to an appropriate master's degree (MEng) or doctorate (EngD) accredited by a professional engineering institution such as the Institution of Mechanical Engineers in order to become chartered in the field of engineering (IMechE). You will also be qualified if you have an integrated Master of Science degree. Have a look at our comprehensive guide to chartering if you are interested in learning more.

Key talents for automotive engineers

In order to pursue a career as an automobile engineer, you will need to have:

talents that are both competent technically and in addressing problems

consciousness of the market

excellent attention to detail

creativity

abilities in both interpersonal interaction and communication

presenting skills

a capacity for analysis

excellent organising skills

the capacity to contribute effectively while serving on a group.