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Automotive Engineers

In the Automotive Engineers occupation, workers develop new or improved designs for vehicle structural members, engines, transmissions, or other vehicle systems, using computer-assisted design technology. O*NET rates it as considerable preparation, which usually means a bachelor’s degree plus a period of work experience. It leans on critical thinking, complex problem solving, and reading comprehension. Expect to conduct or direct system-level automotive testing. Its interest code is RIC. Realistic leads at 6.2 out of 7, so expect hands-on work with tools, machines or the physical world, with Investigative next at 5.7. You may also need to provide technical direction to other engineers or engineering support personnel. It tends to suit people who want hands-on work with tools, machines or the physical world, and it offers little for anyone seeking helping, teaching or caring for people.

What they do

Develop new or improved designs for vehicle structural members, engines, transmissions, or other vehicle systems, using computer-assisted design technology. Direct building, modification, or testing of vehicle or components.

Main tasks

  • Conduct or direct system-level automotive testing.
  • Provide technical direction to other engineers or engineering support personnel.
  • Perform failure, variation, or root cause analyses.
  • Calibrate vehicle systems, including control algorithms or other software systems.
  • Design or analyze automobile systems in areas such as aerodynamics, alternate fuels, ergonomics, hybrid power, brakes, transmissions, steering, calibration, safety, or diagnostics.
  • Prepare or present technical or project status reports.

Skills

  • Critical Thinking
  • Complex Problem Solving
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Writing
  • Speaking
  • Mathematics

Who this career fits

May suit you if

  • You like ending the day with a physical result you can point to.
  • You enjoy working out why something happens, not just what happened.
  • You are ready to spend around four years on a degree, then build experience.
  • You are comfortable relying on critical thinking and complex problem solving.

May not suit you if

  • You would rather stay away from physical, hands-on tasks.
  • You want helping people to be at the center of your work. Social rates 1.4 out of 7 here.
  • You want to avoid a four-year degree or its equivalent.

Interest profile

O*NET rates each occupation from 1 to 7 on six interest types. The code RIC takes the three highest, and Realistic comes first here.

Preparation

Considerable preparation. Most jobs here ask for a bachelor’s degree, and employers usually expect a few years of related experience as well.

Most-reported requirement in the O*NET survey: Bachelor's Degree. This reflects what workers reported most often and is not a legal minimum. Licensing rules can differ by state or industry, so confirm what applies where you plan to work.

Also called

  • Dimensional Integration Engineer
  • Engineer
  • Product Engineer
  • Project Engineer
  • Research Engineer

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This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.