Post job

Automotive designer vs automotive engineer

The differences between automotive designers and automotive engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both an automotive designer and an automotive engineer. Additionally, an automotive engineer has an average salary of $82,211, which is higher than the $69,782 average annual salary of an automotive designer.

The top three skills for an automotive designer include industrial design, sketch and powertrain. The most important skills for an automotive engineer are CAD, ISO, and adaptive.

Automotive designer vs automotive engineer overview

Automotive DesignerAutomotive Engineer
Yearly salary$69,782$82,211
Hourly rate$33.55$39.52
Growth rate2%2%
Number of jobs76,806104,464
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 53%Bachelor's Degree, 71%
Average age4141
Years of experience66

Automotive designer vs automotive engineer salary

Automotive designers and automotive engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Automotive DesignerAutomotive Engineer
Average salary$69,782$82,211
Salary rangeBetween $44,000 And $108,000Between $57,000 And $118,000
Highest paying CityBelmont, CABelmont, CA
Highest paying stateMassachusettsCalifornia
Best paying companyMetaCal
Best paying industryAutomotiveHospitality

Differences between automotive designer and automotive engineer education

There are a few differences between an automotive designer and an automotive engineer in terms of educational background:

Automotive DesignerAutomotive Engineer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 53%Bachelor's Degree, 71%
Most common majorMechanical EngineeringMechanical Engineering
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityNorthwestern University

Automotive designer vs automotive engineer demographics

Here are the differences between automotive designers' and automotive engineers' demographics:

Automotive DesignerAutomotive Engineer
Average age4141
Gender ratioMale, 80.2% Female, 19.8%Male, 93.0% Female, 7.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 3.5% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 9.8% Asian, 11.0% White, 70.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%Black or African American, 3.2% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 8.6% Asian, 15.9% White, 67.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%
LGBT Percentage5%5%

Differences between automotive designer and automotive engineer duties and responsibilities

Automotive designer example responsibilities.

  • Manage documentation of existing projects, perform ECN resolutions.
  • Design of brackets and torsion bar components are validated using FEA inSolidworks.
  • Designate as group training mentor during transition from CADAM to Unigraphics V9.
  • Complete several fully fillet and draft angle solid models on Unigraphics for direct manufacturing.
  • Perform mechanical engineering design for facilities including calculate building HVAC requirements to ensure adequate capacity of system air flow.
  • Release drawings and BOMs in PDM/Link Windchill.
  • Show more

Automotive engineer example responsibilities.

  • Manage Jenkins security by providing specific access to authorize developers/testers using project base matrix authorization strategy.
  • Design system components using SolidWorks and perform FEA structural analysis.
  • Calculate building heating/cooling loads using HVAC system design software to accurately size HVAC equipment for different applications.
  • Exercise judgement filling DFMEA, design validation with accept practices and policies.
  • Follow engineering change process and PPAP approval process for new and modify parts.
  • Provide assistance in prototyping, design, fabrication and implementation for DoD client requirements.
  • Show more

Automotive designer vs automotive engineer skills

Common automotive designer skills
  • Industrial Design, 24%
  • Sketch, 19%
  • Powertrain, 13%
  • FEA, 11%
  • Cost Reduction, 9%
  • Catia V5, 8%
Common automotive engineer skills
  • CAD, 14%
  • ISO, 9%
  • Adaptive, 8%
  • MATLAB, 8%
  • Engineering Support, 7%
  • SAE, 6%

Browse architecture and engineering jobs