Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz
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Automotive Engineers
Automotive Engineers 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.
Table of contents
What they do
Automotive Engineers 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.
- Conduct or direct system-level automotive testing.
- Conduct automotive design reviews.
- Develop engineering specifications or cost estimates for automotive design concepts.
- Provide technical direction to other engineers or engineering support personnel.
Typical day
On a daily basis, Automotive Engineers develop engineering specifications or cost estimates for automotive design concepts. They provide technical direction to other engineers or engineering support personnel.
A typical day for an Automotive Engineer will also include:
- Coordinate production activities with other functional units, such as procurement, maintenance, or quality control.
- Write, review, or maintain engineering documentation.
- Perform failure, variation, or root cause analyses.
- Design vehicles that use lighter materials, such as aluminum, magnesium alloy, or plastic, to improve fuel efficiency.
- Alter or modify designs to obtain specified functional or operational performance.
Other responsibilities
Besides their typical day, Automotive Engineers also conduct or direct system-level automotive testing. They may also prepare or present technical or project status reports.
On a weekly to monthly basis, Automotive Engineers develop or integrate control feature requirements. They might also develop engineering specifications or cost estimates for automotive design concepts.
In addition, they coordinate production activities with other functional units, such as procurement, maintenance, or quality control.
Although specific duties may vary, many of them alter or modify designs to obtain specified functional or operational performance.
To some Automotive Engineers, it is also their responsibility to read current literature, attend meetings or conferences, or talk with colleagues to stay abreast of new automotive technology or competitive products.
What is the job like
Job satisfaction
Is this job meaningful
70% said they were satisfied with their job and 60% said they found their job meaningful.
I work as an engineer for an automotive company. I’ve been working in the automotive industry for 14 years now, and have been an engineer for 12. I work with other engineers to create the best vehicle, or at least closer to it than the current model!
As an automotive engineer, my job was to create cars that were more perfect than the current models already out there.
It has been my experience that there is never a dull moment when you work in the automotive industry because every day presents new challenges that must be overcome if we want to make our product better than the competition.
Let me give you an outline of what automotive engineers do in general.
The job description for someone in the automotive industry is quite broad and varies with each individual’s experience and expertise.
An automotive engineer may be required to do any or all of the following:
- Create prototypes or scale models based on a design specification, or modify existing ones;
- Conduct tests and studies to determine compliance with safety standards;
- Design components, such as engines, engine management systems, transmission control systems, and vehicle chassis components;
- Create drawings and documents, such as design drawings, assembly drawings, bills of material, and computer-aided design (CAD) files;
- Perform tough calculations to ensure designs meet specifications;
- Monitor production to ensure conformance with technical requirements;
- Maintain product liability insurance coverage;
- Review the work of others or conduct formal studies to evaluate designs;
- Supervise and coordinate with other departments, such as art or marketing, to ensure that design specifications are met;
- Maintain contact with clients, vendors, and colleagues to develop new technologies or resolve technical problems;
- Update knowledge by participating in educational opportunities;
- Identify market opportunities to help develop new technologies;
- Advise management on technical issues and research projects;
Pros
The pros are a well-paying job with plenty of opportunities for good knowledge.
Cons
The cons include in general more hours of work, mental fatigue and being required to work well in hot or cold environments on occasion.
Pros
Suitable for people who like practical and hands-on work.
Suitable for people who value achievements and are results-oriented.
This career is perfect for people who love to work indoors.
Very high salary (top 25% highest paid careers).
Cons
Not suitable for people who like to help and teach others.
It is hard to get into this career. A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for this career.
Long working hours (More than 40 hours per week).
How much do they make
Average salary
Average hourly wage
Entry-level Automotive Engineers with little to no experience can expect to make anywhere between $58,410 to $71,880 per year or $28 to $35 per hour.
| Salary by experience | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Highest (Top 10%) | $141,060 | $68 |
| Senior (Top 25%) | $114,380 | $55 |
| Median | $90,160 | $43 |
| Junior (Bottom 25%) | $71,880 | $35 |
| No experience (Bottom 10%) | $58,410 | $28 |
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What is the work day like
Working hours
Working schedule
How often do you use email in this job?
Telephone
How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?
Group discussions
How often do you have group discussions in this job?
Public speaking
How often does this job require you to do public speaking?
Level of competition
How much competitive pressure is in this job?
What is the work environment like
Office-style environment
Indoors in an environmentally controlled condition
Warehouse-style environment
Indoors in a non-controlled environmental condition such as a warehouse
Outdoors
Outdoors exposed to all weather conditions
Outdoors – Under Cover
Outdoors but under cover (e.g. structure with roof but no walls)
How to become one
Difficulty to become one
Required level of education
What level of education do you need to perform the job?
Relevant majors
Relevant work experience
How much related work experience do you need to get hired for the job?
On The Job Training
How much on the job training do you need to perform the job?
Should you become one
Best personality type for this career
People with this personality type likes practical and hands-on work. They prefer working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
People with The Builder personality type likes practical and hands-on work. They prefer working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
People with The Thinker personality likes to work with ideas that require an extensive amount of thinking. They prefer work that requires them to solve problems mentally.
People with The Artist personality likes to work with designs and patterns. They prefer activities that require self-expression and prefer work that can be done without following a clear set of rules.
People with The Helper personality type likes to work with people and in teams. They prefer work that allows them to build relationships with others.
People with The Leader personality likes to start and work on projects. They also like leading people and making many decisions.
People with The Organizer personality type likes to follow set procedures and routines. They prefer working with data and details more than with ideas.
You can read more about these career personality types here.
People who are suitable for this job tend 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.
Take this quiz to see if this is the right career for you.
Work Values
Which values are the most important to a person’s satisfaction for this job?
You are someone who is results oriented. You prefer work that allows you to utilize your skills and abilities while at the same time giving you a sense of accomplishment.
You are someone who values job security, steady employment, and good working conditions. You also prefer work that keeps you busy all the time with something different to do every day.
You are someone who values job advancement and leadership roles. You prefer work that receives recognition for the work you do and jobs that are looked up to by others in the company and your community.
You are someone who likes to provide a service to others. You prefer a work environment where you can work with your co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment.
You are someone who values a company that stands behind their employees. You prefer a work environment where everyone is treated fairly and is being supported by the company.
You are someone who likes to work on your own and make your own decisions. You prefer work that requires little supervision and are allowed to try out your own ideas.
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