What You Need to Know About Automotive Engineer
Automotive Engineer Job 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.
A Day in the Life of an Automotive Engineer
- Design vehicles for increased recyclability or use of natural, renewable, or recycled materials in vehicle construction.
- Research or implement green automotive technologies involving alternative fuels, electric or hybrid cars, or lighter or more fuel-efficient vehicles.
- Develop specifications for vehicles powered by alternative fuels or alternative power methods.
- Provide technical direction to other engineers or engineering support personnel.
- Write, review, or maintain engineering documentation.
- Perform failure, variation, or root cause analyses.
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Skills Needed to be an Automotive Engineer
These are the skills Automotive Engineers say are the most useful in their careers:
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
- Automotive Power Electronics Engineer
- Quality Assurance Engineer
- Director of Engineering, Quality & Program Management.
- Senior Project Engineer
- Director, Product Safety
What Kind of Automotive Engineer Job Opportunities Are There?
There were about 288,800 jobs for Automotive Engineer in 2016 (in the United States). 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.
Automotive Engineer Salary
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.
How much do Automotive Engineers make in each U.S. state?
| 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 do I Become an Automotive Engineer?
Individuals working as an Automotive Engineer have obtained the following education levels:
How Long Does it Take to Become an Automotive Engineer?
Where do Automotive Engineers Work?
The table below shows the approximate number of Automotive Engineers employed by various industries.
References:
Image Credit: Michel Villeneuve via Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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