What does an automotive engineer do?
An automotive engineer specializes in designing and developing vehicles for public or private use. Their job entails conducting extensive research and analyses, conceptualizing plans with fellow experts, building prototypes and structures, troubleshooting problems, and implementing multiple test procedures to identify how the vehicle operates at different conditions and ensure its quality adheres to standards and regulations. Besides developing new vehicles, an automotive engineer may also modify existing models, which requires them to study the market and consumers' feedback, identify the strengths and weaknesses of existing systems, and coordinate upgrades.
Automotive engineer responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real automotive engineer resumes:
- 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.
- Simulate the vehicle power train in the MATLAB SIMULINK software and check for the improving velocity.
- Design the steel tubular frame using SolidWorks and collaborate with suspension and drivetrain teams to ensure component clearances and placements.
- Drive axles, suspension, brakes and steering as well as all electrical and HVAC systems are include as well.
- Implement FMEA, PPAP, and APQP techniques to ensure products that meet and exceed the quality of original equipment.
- Create detail designs utilizing SolidWorks design software for various aircraft components.
- Perform engine and transmission replacements, alignments, air conditioning repairs, drivability diagnosis and electronic issues.
- Perform validation testing according to OEM specifications; record and retain results in an appropriate manner for submission.
- Develop a program using MATLAB for design of experiments and statistical analysis of experimental results base on statistical sampling theory.
- Perform multiple augments installing and adding new devices/servers along with adding configurations for video streaming using Unix and checking router configurations.
Automotive engineer skills and personality traits
We calculated that 14% of Automotive Engineers are proficient in CAD, ISO, and Adaptive. They’re also known for soft skills such as Creativity, Listening skills, and Math skills.
We break down the percentage of Automotive Engineers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- CAD, 14%
Gained proficiency in CAD, design control, Chemical compatibility, Geometric dimensions and tolerance, Statistical analysis.
- ISO, 9%
Core team member for ISO initial certification: documented and effectively implemented procedures for multiple production areas.
- Adaptive, 8%
Right Hand Vehicle Program Create adaptive modular assembly for current production hood.
- MATLAB, 8%
Developed code using Simulink MATLAB function blocks and compiled the Code using embedded coder with fixed step and discrete solver.
- Engineering Support, 7%
Major responsibility was providing engineering support to the large frame Air Circuit Breaker and Molded Case Circuit Breaker Manufacturing departments.
- SAE, 6%
Composed reports using Microsoft Office for UCF Faculty, as well as the SAE chapter of UCF.
Common skills that an automotive engineer uses to do their job include "cad," "iso," and "adaptive." You can find details on the most important automotive engineer responsibilities below.
Creativity. The most essential soft skill for an automotive engineer to carry out their responsibilities is creativity. This skill is important for the role because "mechanical engineers design and build complex pieces of equipment and machinery." Additionally, an automotive engineer resume shows how their duties depend on creativity: "tracked and implemented eco (engineering change order) based on bom and inventory. "
Listening skills. Many automotive engineer duties rely on listening skills. "mechanical engineers often work on projects with others, such as architects and computer scientists," so an automotive engineer will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways automotive engineer responsibilities rely on listening skills: "communicated problem details and recommendations with japan design engineering. "
Math skills. automotive engineers are also known for math skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to automotive engineer responsibilities, because "mechanical engineers use the principles of calculus, statistics, and other advanced subjects in math for analysis, design, and troubleshooting in their work." An automotive engineer resume example shows how math skills is used in the workplace: "develop predictive mathematical models for use in rapid product development. "
Mechanical skills. A big part of what automotive engineers do relies on "mechanical skills." You can see how essential it is to automotive engineer responsibilities because "mechanical skills allow engineers to apply basic engineering concepts and mechanical processes to the design of new devices and systems." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical automotive engineer tasks: "collaborated on design of suspension system - provided cad support and stress analysis of various mechanical components"
Problem-solving skills. Another crucial skill for an automotive engineer to carry out their responsibilities is "problem-solving skills." A big part of what automotive engineers relies on this skill, since "mechanical engineers need good problem-solving skills to take scientific principles and discoveries and use them to design and build useful products." How this skill relates to automotive engineer duties can be seen in an example from an automotive engineer resume snippet: "respond to maintenance calls and troubleshoot solutions. "
The three companies that hire the most automotive engineers are:
- Amazon7 automotive engineers jobs
- Qualcomm5 automotive engineers jobs
- AAA Northeast2 automotive engineers jobs
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Compare different automotive engineers
Automotive engineer vs. Management engineer
A management engineer specializes in designing and developing systems to optimize business or establishment procedures. Their duties typically revolve around coordinating with various departments to obtain necessary data, conducting observations and inspections to determine the strengths and weaknesses of existing processes, executing maintenance checks to ensure the efficiency of services, and performing research and analysis to come up with the ideal solutions. Furthermore, as a management engineer, it is essential to adhere to the company's policies and regulations when making decisions or recommending new systems.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, automotive engineer responsibilities require skills like "adaptive," "matlab," "engineering support," and "sae." Meanwhile a typical management engineer has skills in areas such as "infrastructure," "java," "linux," and "project management." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Management engineers tend to make the most money working in the technology industry, where they earn an average salary of $102,884. In contrast, automotive engineers make the biggest average salary, $85,153, in the hospitality industry.management engineers tend to reach similar levels of education than automotive engineers. In fact, management engineers are 4.1% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.9% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Automotive engineer vs. Research engineer
Research Engineers are responsible for a wide range of duties, including researching and developing new technologies and prototypes, and finding solutions to improve techniques, procedures, and technologies.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that automotive engineer responsibilities requires skills like "adaptive," "matlab," "engineering support," and "sae." But a research engineer might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "python," "c #," "java," and "software development."
Research engineers may earn a higher salary than automotive engineers, but research engineers earn the most pay in the start-up industry with an average salary of $141,240. On the other hand, automotive engineers receive higher pay in the hospitality industry, where they earn an average salary of $85,153.In general, research engineers achieve higher levels of education than automotive engineers. They're 10.4% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.9% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Automotive engineer vs. Facility engineer
A facilities engineer specializes in managing and maintaining equipment and machinery in manufacturing plants or similar settings. Duties will revolve around conducting research and analysis through extensive data and blueprints, evaluating systems using various reports, handling issues, providing corrective measures, and performing regular inspections and maintenance. Furthermore, it is essential to implement all safety standards and regulations to ensure a safe and productive work environment for everyone.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, an automotive engineer is likely to be skilled in "adaptive," "matlab," "sae," and "dfmea," while a typical facility engineer is skilled in "hvac," "plumbing," "project management," and "ladders."
Facility engineers earn the best pay in the energy industry, where they command an average salary of $109,339. Automotive engineers earn the highest pay from the hospitality industry, with an average salary of $85,153.facility engineers typically earn similar educational levels compared to automotive engineers. Specifically, they're 3.7% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Automotive engineer vs. Development engineer
A Development Engineer is responsible for the development and validation of products, systems, and components. They are also responsible for quality control of work and continuous improvement of engineer activities.
Types of automotive engineer
Updated January 8, 2025
