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Automotive Engineering Technician

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What is an Automotive Engineering Technician?

Automotive Engineering Technician Example Assist engineers in determining the practicality of proposed product design changes and plan and carry out tests on experimental test devices or equipment for performance, durability, or efficiency.

A Day in the Life of an Automotive Engineering Technician

  • Test performance of vehicles that use alternative fuels, such as alcohol blends, natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas, biodiesel, nano diesel, or alternative power methods, such as solar energy or hydrogen fuel cells.
  • Maintain test equipment in operational condition by performing routine maintenance or making minor repairs or adjustments as needed.
  • Analyze test data for automotive systems, subsystems, or component parts.
  • Monitor computer-controlled test equipment, according to written or verbal instructions.
  • Fabricate new or modify existing prototype components or fixtures.
  • Improve fuel efficiency by testing vehicles or components that use lighter materials, such as aluminum, magnesium alloy, or plastic.

What Skills Do You Need to Work as an Automotive Engineering Technician?

When polled, Automotive Engineering Technicians say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:

Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Quality Control Analysis: Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.

  • Research Technician
  • Auto Design Checker
  • Durability Technician
  • Automotive Engineering Technician
  • Laboratory Technician (Lab Technician)

What Kind of Automotive Engineering Technician Job Opportunities Are There?

There were about 46,100 jobs for Automotive Engineering Technician in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 5% which is below the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 2,300 new jobs for Automotive Engineering Technician by 2026. There will be an estimated 4,200 positions for Automotive Engineering Technician per year.

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The states with the most job growth for Automotive Engineering Technician are Utah, Connecticut, and Florida. Watch out if you plan on working in Vermont, Maine, or Hawaii. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

Average Automotive Engineering Technicians Salary

Automotive Engineering Technicians make between $34,900 and $85,430 a year.

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Automotive Engineering Technicians who work in Louisiana, New Mexico, or Colorado, make the highest salaries.

How much do Automotive Engineering Technicians make in each U.S. state?

State Annual Mean Salary
Alabama $57,670
Alaska $65,050
Arizona $57,620
Arkansas $53,860
California $62,510
Colorado $68,690
Connecticut $69,900
District of Columbia $55,820
Florida $50,360
Georgia $55,540
Idaho $54,740
Illinois $60,940
Indiana $53,430
Iowa $51,710
Kansas $55,210
Kentucky $50,510
Louisiana $82,350
Maine $62,720
Maryland $61,790
Massachusetts $60,100
Michigan $55,470
Minnesota $58,940
Mississippi $61,630
Missouri $51,850
Montana $55,070
Nebraska $56,070
Nevada $67,610
New Hampshire $55,160
New Jersey $55,090
New Mexico $79,530
New York $60,000
North Carolina $54,810
North Dakota $59,350
Ohio $54,660
Oklahoma $58,630
Oregon $51,860
Pennsylvania $54,640
Rhode Island $59,180
South Carolina $58,790
South Dakota $43,310
Tennessee $55,730
Texas $67,740
Utah $54,060
Vermont $53,420
Virginia $60,860
Washington $65,300
West Virginia $54,950
Wisconsin $52,140

Tools & Technologies Used by Automotive Engineering Technicians

Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Automotive Engineering Technicians:

  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Word
  • Microsoft Office
  • SAP
  • IBM Notes
  • Computer aided design CAD software
  • National Instruments LabVIEW
  • PTC Creo Parametric
  • Computer aided manufacturing CAM software
  • Data acquisition software
  • Autodesk Inventor
  • Autodesk AutoCAD Mechanical

Becoming an Automotive Engineering Technician

Education needed to be an Automotive Engineering Technician:

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What work experience do I need to become an Automotive Engineering Technician?

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Where Automotive Engineering Technicians Work

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Automotive Engineering Technicians work in the following industries:

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References:

Image Credit: via Creative Commons CC0

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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