What You Need to Know About Automotive Engineer
Position Description 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.
Daily Life Of an Automotive Engineer
- Conduct research studies to develop new concepts in the field of automotive engineering.
- Calibrate vehicle systems, including control algorithms or other software systems.
- Design vehicles that use lighter materials, such as aluminum, magnesium alloy, or plastic, to improve fuel efficiency.
- Establish production or quality control standards.
- Develop specifications for vehicles powered by alternative fuels or alternative power methods.
- Research computerized automotive applications, such as telemetrics, intelligent transportation systems, artificial intelligence, or automatic control.
What Every Automotive Engineer Should Know
Below is a list of the skills most Automotive Engineers say are important on the job.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Mathematics: Using mathematics to solve problems.
Types of Automotive Engineer
- Powertrain Control Systems Engineer
- Director, Product Safety
- Automotive Project Engineer
- Low-Emission Automobile Designer
- Automotive Engineer
Is There Job Demand for Automotive Engineers?
In the United States, there were 288,800 jobs for Automotive Engineer in 2016. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 8.8% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 25,300 new jobs for Automotive Engineer by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 21,200 job openings in this field each year.
The states with the most job growth for Automotive Engineer are Nevada, Utah, and North Dakota. Watch out if you plan on working in Alaska, Maine, or Vermont. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Do Automotive Engineers Make A Lot Of Money?
The average yearly salary of an Automotive Engineer ranges between $56,270 and $136,550.
Automotive Engineers who work in District of Columbia, New Mexico, or Alaska, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Automotive Engineers in different U.S. states.
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $90,030 |
| Alaska | $128,690 |
| Arizona | $98,390 |
| Arkansas | $71,730 |
| California | $107,370 |
| Colorado | $104,220 |
| Connecticut | $94,270 |
| Delaware | $106,220 |
| District of Columbia | $112,780 |
| Florida | $87,770 |
| Georgia | $84,870 |
| Hawaii | $81,730 |
| Idaho | $86,010 |
| Illinois | $92,030 |
| Indiana | $82,510 |
| Iowa | $80,530 |
| Kansas | $82,210 |
| Kentucky | $84,380 |
| Louisiana | $101,810 |
| Maine | $93,310 |
| Maryland | $109,960 |
| Massachusetts | $98,190 |
| Michigan | $91,100 |
| Minnesota | $87,030 |
| Mississippi | $85,570 |
| Missouri | $85,450 |
| Montana | $77,140 |
| Nebraska | $80,650 |
| Nevada | $88,950 |
| New Hampshire | $97,270 |
| New Jersey | $95,680 |
| New Mexico | $110,210 |
| New York | $91,820 |
| North Carolina | $87,470 |
| North Dakota | $75,770 |
| Ohio | $81,020 |
| Oklahoma | $88,190 |
| Oregon | $85,890 |
| Pennsylvania | $85,740 |
| Rhode Island | $94,520 |
| South Carolina | $93,730 |
| South Dakota | $76,220 |
| Tennessee | $87,990 |
| Texas | $105,570 |
| Utah | $88,150 |
| Vermont | $94,580 |
| Virginia | $100,540 |
| Washington | $96,860 |
| West Virginia | $84,070 |
| Wisconsin | $79,360 |
| Wyoming | $84,200 |
What Tools & Technology do Automotive Engineers Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Automotive Engineers:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- JavaScript
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Git
- Python
- Node.js
- Microsoft Windows
- Microsoft Project
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- Microsoft Visio
- Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop
- Structured query language SQL
- The MathWorks MATLAB
- Linux
- IBM Notes
- Extensible markup language XML
- UNIX
- Computer aided design CAD software
How to Become an Automotive Engineer
What kind of Automotive Engineer requirements are there?
What work experience do I need to become an Automotive Engineer?
Who Employs Automotive Engineers?
Automotive Engineers work in the following industries:
References:
Image Credit: Michel Villeneuve via Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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