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Job outlook for vehicle controls engineers in the United States
Are vehicle controls engineer jobs in demand?
Vehicle controls engineer job and salary trends over time
Vehicle controls engineer jobs over time
Vehicle controls engineer job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 87 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 92 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 96 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 95 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 91 | 0.00% |
Average vehicle controls engineer salary over time
Vehicle controls engineer salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $98,897 | $47.55 | +2.0% |
| 2024 | $96,999 | $46.63 | +1.2% |
| 2023 | $95,837 | $46.08 | +1.7% |
| 2022 | $94,202 | $45.29 | +2.0% |
| 2021 | $92,349 | $44.40 | +0.7% |
Vehicle controls engineer jobs by state
Most common states for vehicle controls engineers
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 408 | 59% |
| 2 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 1,621 | 19% |
| 3 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 1,407 | 19% |
| 4 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1,305 | 19% |
| 5 | Delaware | 961,939 | 180 | 19% |
| 6 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 991 | 18% |
| 7 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 727 | 18% |
| 8 | California | 39,536,653 | 6,722 | 17% |
| 9 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 976 | 16% |
| 10 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 189 | 14% |
| 11 | Michigan | 9,962,311 | 1,272 | 13% |
| 12 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 744 | 13% |
| 13 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 362 | 12% |
| 14 | Georgia | 10,429,379 | 1,114 | 11% |
| 15 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 803 | 11% |
| 16 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 412 | 11% |
| 17 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 331 | 11% |
| 18 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 112 | 11% |
| 19 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 81 | 11% |
| 20 | Alaska | 739,795 | 80 | 11% |
Most common cities for vehicle controls engineers
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dearborn | 3 | 3% | $92,424 |
| 2 | Livermore | 2 | 2% | $136,882 |
| 3 | Lafayette | 1 | 1% | $94,054 |
| 4 | Loveland | 1 | 1% | $95,636 |
| 5 | Melbourne | 1 | 1% | $94,698 |
| 6 | Palo Alto | 1 | 1% | $136,876 |
| 7 | Santa Clara | 1 | 1% | $136,662 |
| 8 | Torrance | 1 | 1% | $124,412 |
| 9 | Los Angeles | 2 | 0% | $125,141 |
| 10 | Boston | 1 | 0% | $104,623 |
| 11 | Indianapolis | 1 | 0% | $94,288 |
Vehicle Controls Engineer job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of vehicle controls engineer experts
Marshall University
University of Wisconsin - Green Bay
Cincinnati State Technical & Community College
Carnegie Mellon University
Weber State University
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
University of Alaska Fairbanks
Jiayue Shen
Mechanical Engineering Technology Program CoordinatorWhat general advice would you give to a Vehicle Controls Engineer?
Jiayue Shen: To maximize your salary potential when starting your career in Mechanical Engineering Technology, contemplate acquiring certifications like the FE or PE license, or additional training in high-demand specialized areas such as semiconductors. Moreover, gaining practical experience through academic clubs, undergraduate research, internships, or co-op programs can increase your appeal to employers, potentially resulting in higher salary offers.
What Vehicle Controls Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Jiayue Shen: It's essential to stay curious and eager to learn, as the field is continually evolving. Keeping abreast of the latest technologies and trends through seeking out learning opportunities and maintaining a curiosity about new developments is crucial. Additionally, building a robust professional network and seeking mentorship can offer valuable insights and guidance. Embracing interdisciplinary projects is also key, as the field is expanding beyond purely mechanical aspects. Being dynamic and proactive in interacting with individuals from diverse backgrounds will be beneficial, as collaboration across disciplines is increasingly important in this field.
What will help Vehicle Controls Engineers increase their earning potential?
Jiayue Shen: In the next 3-5 years, skills such as electronic control, basic programming, and critical thinking will become increasingly important in the field of Mechanical Engineering Technology. As industries like robotics, automation, and semiconductors continue to grow, professionals will need to be well-versed in these areas to stay competitive. Additionally, skills such as collaboration and effective oral and written communication will be crucial for advancing in one's career.
Dr. Yousef Sardahi
Associate Professor of Mechanical EngineeringMarshall University
Engineering
What Vehicle Controls Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Yousef Sardahi: In the next 3-5 years, several skills are expected to become increasingly important in the mechanical engineering field:
Advanced Computational Skills: Proficiency in simulation and modeling software (like ANSYS, SolidWorks, or MATLAB) will be crucial as these tools become more integral in designing and testing complex systems.
Robotics and Automation: With industries moving towards automation, skills in robotics, automated systems, and knowledge of AI integration will be highly sought after.
Additive Manufacturing and 3D Printing: Expertise in 3D printing and additive manufacturing techniques will be valuable as these technologies revolutionize product development and manufacturing processes.
Renewable Energy Technologies: As the world shifts towards sustainable energy sources, mechanical engineers with knowledge in solar, wind, and other renewable energy technologies will be in high demand.
Data Analysis and IoT: Skills in data analytics and understanding the Internet of Things (IoT) will be important as more mechanical systems are connected and produce large amounts of data.
Materials Science: Knowledge in advanced materials, such as composites or smart materials, will be crucial for developing more efficient and sustainable products and systems.
Systems Engineering and Integration: The ability to understand and integrate various subsystems within a larger system will be key, especially in complex projects.
Project Management and Leadership: As projects become more complex, skills in project management and leadership will be essential for overseeing projects and leading teams effectively.
Interdisciplinary Collaboration: The ability to work effectively across disciplines, understanding aspects of electrical engineering, computer science, and even business, will be increasingly important.
Communication and Soft Skills: Strong communication skills, both for technical and non-technical audiences, along with teamwork and problem-solving skills, will always be invaluable in the engineering field.
Uises Gonzalez-Valle
Assistant ProfessorUniversity of Wisconsin - Green Bay
Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians
What will help Vehicle Controls Engineers increase their earning potential?
Uises Gonzalez-Valle: The beginning of professional life is not simple independent of the career path that you follow and ME and MET can have their own complications. However, some good advice would be to develop independence and adaptability which are key traits of an engineer, and always keep yourself updated with the most recent technological developments. If you are independent and adaptable, you have all the skills to learn and further your professional development. In addition, I would say it is essential to start building a network, including peers and mentors. Having a strong network of peers and mentors helps you significantly to progress in your professional line. From day-to-day to daily changing decisions, having a strong network to support would significantly help in building your professional path. Lastly, I would say that having a good Work-life balance is vital too, since our personal life is as important as our professional life. Remember, we should work to live instead of live to work.
Mike DeVore Ph.D.
Professor & Program ChairCincinnati State Technical & Community College
Mechanical Engineering Technology
What hard/technical skills are most important for Vehicle Controls Engineers?
Mike DeVore Ph.D.: -Computer-Aided Design
-Knowledge of manufacturing processes
-A good mathematics foundation
-Technical communication
-Problem solving
What's a day at work look like for a Vehicle Controls Engineer?
John Dolan: Many companies are starting employees in virtual mode, then moving them to the company's geographical location at a later time. So, in some cases graduating students may stay put in the city where they studied for some time before joining their company in a different part of the country. Since a lot of robotics work can be done in simulation and software, the actual content of work for many jobs is not drastically affected by coronavirus restrictions, though virtual meetings are not the same as face-to-face ones. However, ultimately you have to build and physically test robots. The good news it that a lot of such testing is done outdoors, where coronavirus restrictions are not as onerous.
What will help Vehicle Controls Engineers increase their earning potential?
John Dolan: Two things come immediately to mind: machine learning and software. Machine learning is being used in all kinds of situations, and robotics is no exception, with major application in perception, behaviors, planning, and other aspects. Most robotics jobs also call for a solid understanding of software, so a good knowledge of C++ and/or Python programming, libraries, testing/validation and software engineering is a big plus.
What will help Vehicle Controls Engineers increase their earning potential?
Dr. A. Tye Gardner Ph.D.: Getting a master's degree goes a long way to making candidates stand out and improving earnings. My recommendation is to tailor your MS degree to the specific field you're interested in working in, because employers really want to see candidates that are passionate about the field, and very few people survive a graduate degree without at least a little passion. Available salary data indicates that if you choose an affordable program (let's just say Weber State University), it takes only a few years to pay off the added cost, increases starting salaries, and dramatically improves long-term earning potential. Moreover, you can find electrical engineers with MBAs at C-level positions all over the country. It turns out being an EE makes you a good candidate for business leadership.
Charles Jenckes
Assistant ProfessorUniversity of North Carolina at Charlotte
Mechanical Engineering
What skills stand out on Vehicle Controls Engineer resumes?
Charles Jenckes: For new graduates
1.Where the candidate went to school and what was studied
2.GPA
3.Any successful internships
4.Projects completed by the student
How would you rate the starting salaries for Vehicle Controls Engineers, as well as the prospects for salary advancement?
Daisy Huang: Above average, but you won't be a millionaire easily (you can with some effort, saving, and investing well). It is very unlikely you'll ever be *super* wealthy, but it's also very unlikely you'll ever not find employment in your field. You'll have a solid ticket to a modestly comfortable life, with some luxuries, too.