What Do Automotive Engineering Technicians Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

Job Description

Automotive Engineering Technicians 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. They also document test results, using cameras, spreadsheets, documents, or other tools.

Other tasks include:

• Set up mechanical, hydraulic, or electric test equipment in accordance with engineering specifications, standards, or test procedures.
• Read and interpret blueprints, schematics, work specifications, drawings, or charts.
• Inspect or test parts to determine nature or cause of defects or malfunctions.
• Monitor computer-controlled test equipment, according to written or verbal instructions.
• Analyze test data for automotive systems, subsystems, or component parts.
• Install equipment, such as instrumentation, test equipment, engines, or aftermarket products, to ensure proper interfaces.

We asked Automotive Engineering Technicians how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

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70% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 60% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.

Typical Day At Work

On a daily basis, Automotive Engineering Technicians document test results, using cameras, spreadsheets, documents, or other tools. They read and interpret blueprints, schematics, work specifications, drawings, or charts.

• Perform or execute manual or automated tests of automotive system or component performance, efficiency, or durability.
• Maintain test equipment in operational condition by performing routine maintenance or making minor repairs or adjustments as needed.
• Recommend product or component design improvements, based on test data or observations.
• Monitor computer-controlled test equipment, according to written or verbal instructions.
• Analyze test data for automotive systems, subsystems, or component parts.

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Automotive Engineering Technicians also improve fuel efficiency by testing vehicles or components that use lighter materials, such as aluminum, magnesium alloy, or plastic. They may also maintain test equipment in operational condition by performing routine maintenance or making minor repairs or adjustments as needed.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Automotive Engineering Technicians Recommend tests or testing conditions in accordance with designs, customer requirements, or industry standards to ensure test validity. They might also Participate in research or testing of computerized automotive applications, such as telemetrics, intelligent transportation systems, artificial intelligence, or automatic control.

In addition, they Analyze performance of vehicles or components that have been redesigned to increase fuel efficiency, such as camless or dual-clutch engines or alternative types of air-conditioning systems.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Inspect or test parts to determine nature or cause of defects or malfunctions.

To some Automotive Engineering Technicians, it is also their responsibility to Perform or execute manual or automated tests of automotive system or component performance, efficiency, or durability.

Working life

More than 40 hours per week

Regular schedule like a 9 to 5

In a typical work week as an Automotive Engineering Technician, you can expect to work more than 40 hours per week.

Is this right for me

People who are suitable for this job tends to like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery..

They also like working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. They like searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

You can read more about these career personality types here.

Explore other careers

http://www.bls.gov/OOH/architecture-and-engineering/mechanical-engineering-technicians.htm

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