What Does it Take to Be an 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.
Automotive Engineer Responsibilities
- Create design alternatives for vehicle components, such as camless or dual-clutch engines or alternative air-conditioning systems, to increase fuel efficiency.
- Design vehicles for increased recyclability or use of natural, renewable, or recycled materials in vehicle construction.
- Develop or integrate control feature requirements.
- Develop calibration methodologies, test methodologies, or tools.
- Develop engineering specifications or cost estimates for automotive design concepts.
- Design or analyze automobile systems in areas such as aerodynamics, alternate fuels, ergonomics, hybrid power, brakes, transmissions, steering, calibration, safety, or diagnostics.
Automotive Engineer Skills
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.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Related Job Titles for this Occupation:
- Director, Product Safety
- Systems Engineer
- Senior Engineering Team Leader
- Development System Efficiency Manager
- Technical Specialist
Is There Job Demand for Automotive Engineers?
There were about 288,800 jobs for Mechanical Engineers in 2016 (in the United States).
New jobs are being produced at a rate of 8.8% which is lower than average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 25,300 new jobs for Automotive Engineers by 2026. The BLS estimates 21,200 yearly job openings in this field per year.
The states with the most job growth for Mechanical Engineers are Michigan, Texas, and California.
Watch out if you plan on working in Alaska, West Virginia, or Vermont. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Average Automotive Engineer Salary
The average yearly salary of an Automotive Engineer ranges between $56,270 and $136,550. The median salary is $87,370.
How much do Mechanical Engineers make in different U.S. states?
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
|
Alaska |
$128,690 |
|
District of Columbia |
$112,780 |
|
New Mexico |
$110,210 |
|
Maryland |
$109,960 |
|
California |
$107,370 |
|
Delaware |
$106,220 |
|
Texas |
$105,570 |
|
Colorado |
$104,220 |
|
Louisiana |
$101,810 |
|
Virginia |
$100,540 |
|
Arizona |
$98,390 |
|
Massachusetts |
$98,190 |
|
New Hampshire |
$97,270 |
|
Washington |
$96,860 |
|
New Jersey |
$95,680 |
|
Vermont |
$94,580 |
|
Rhode Island |
$94,520 |
|
Connecticut |
$94,270 |
|
South Carolina |
$93,730 |
|
Maine |
$93,310 |
|
Illinois |
$92,030 |
|
New York |
$91,820 |
|
Michigan |
$91,100 |
|
Alabama |
$90,030 |
|
Nevada |
$88,950 |
|
Oklahoma |
$88,190 |
|
Utah |
$88,150 |
|
Tennessee |
$87,990 |
|
Florida |
$87,770 |
|
North Carolina |
$87,470 |
|
Minnesota |
$87,030 |
|
Idaho |
$86,010 |
|
Oregon |
$85,890 |
|
Pennsylvania |
$85,740 |
|
Mississippi |
$85,570 |
|
Missouri |
$85,450 |
|
Georgia |
$84,870 |
|
Kentucky |
$84,380 |
|
Wyoming |
$84,200 |
|
West Virginia |
$84,070 |
|
Indiana |
$82,510 |
|
Kansas |
$82,210 |
|
Hawaii |
$81,730 |
|
Ohio |
$81,020 |
|
Nebraska |
$80,650 |
|
Iowa |
$80,530 |
|
Wisconsin |
$79,360 |
|
Montana |
$77,140 |
|
South Dakota |
$76,220 |
|
North Dakota |
$75,770 |
|
Arkansas |
$71,730 |
What Tools & Technology do Automotive Engineers Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Automotive Engineers may use on a daily basis:
- Oracle Java
- Think3 ThinkDesign Engineering
- UNIX
- C++
- Autodesk AutoCAD Mechanical
- Python
- Extensible markup language XML
- Practical extraction and reporting language PERL
- Computer aided design CAD software
- IronCAD
Where do Automotive Engineers Work?
References
Image Credit: Via Wikimedia Commons
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