What does a vehicle controls engineer do?
A vehicle controls engineer specializes in designing and developing automotive systems and solutions. They usually work at automotive manufacturing facilities where they spearhead projects, conduct research and analyses, gather and analyze data, study client and market feedback, and identify the strengths and weaknesses of existing systems to develop strategies that will optimize operations. Moreover, a vehicle controls engineer develops prototypes and test structures, coordinates with fellow experts, troubleshoots problems, set safety and efficiency guidelines, and manages staff while implementing company policies and regulations.
Vehicle controls engineer responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real vehicle controls engineer resumes:
- Manage Jenkins security by providing specific access to authorize developers/testers using project base matrix authorization strategy.
- Create the BOM for the brakes system (includes pedal box, callipers, rotors).
- Perform chassis, driveline and OEM electrical trouble shooting and repairs.
- Sheet metal: CNC punch press, laser and plasma cutting, stamping.
- Manufacture space frame to design specifications, including material preparation and MIG, TIG welding.
- Design the components in AutoCAD 3D, CATIA and import the drawings into Hypermesh and Abaqus for simulating the components.
- Utilize a variety of manufacturing methods including manual and CNC milling , 3D printing, and welding to fabricate chassis.
- Design all chassis modifications including driveline, wiring and structure-relate items.
- Conduct geotechnical and environmental subsurface investigations.
- Build prototypes on 3D printer and fabricate final parts using lathes, mills, waterjet cutter and other shop tools.
- Develop LabVIEW application for controlling environmental chamber and logging of data.
Vehicle controls engineer skills and personality traits
We calculated that 13% of Vehicle Controls Engineers are proficient in CANalyzer, Vehicle Dynamics, and Control Systems. They’re also known for soft skills such as Creativity, Listening skills, and Mechanical skills.
We break down the percentage of Vehicle Controls Engineers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- CANalyzer, 13%
Conduct simulation tests using vector CANalyzer CAN communications and architecture, knowledge over CAN analyzer and vector tools.
- Vehicle Dynamics, 12%
Supported vehicle dynamics testing including raw data extraction and interpretation.
- Control Systems, 11%
Provided design and troubleshooting expertise on various electronic, mechanical, hydraulic and pneumatic control systems throughout two factories.
- Control Algorithms, 8%
Calibrate vehicle systems, including control algorithms or other software systems.
- Data Analysis, 7%
Supported the team with the transmission adaptation, Data logging, data analysis and report generation whenever required.
- Data Acquisition, 6%
Track tested cars to read the understeer & oversteer with MoTeC data acquisition to tune dampers.
"canalyzer," "vehicle dynamics," and "control systems" are among the most common skills that vehicle controls engineers use at work. You can find even more vehicle controls engineer responsibilities below, including:
Creativity. One of the key soft skills for a vehicle controls engineer to have is creativity. You can see how this relates to what vehicle controls engineers do because "mechanical engineers design and build complex pieces of equipment and machinery." Additionally, a vehicle controls engineer resume shows how vehicle controls engineers use creativity: "inventory accountability of all product with units data analysis and reporting using excel generated presentations"
Listening skills. Another essential skill to perform vehicle controls engineer duties is listening skills. Vehicle controls engineers responsibilities require that "mechanical engineers often work on projects with others, such as architects and computer scientists." Vehicle controls engineers also use listening skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "communicated design criteria and specifications and helped troubleshoot the build. "
Mechanical skills. This is an important skill for vehicle controls engineers to perform their duties. For an example of how vehicle controls engineer responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "mechanical skills allow engineers to apply basic engineering concepts and mechanical processes to the design of new devices and systems." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a vehicle controls engineer: "perform studies and provide reports of findings and recommendations for building interior, mechanical systems, and environments. ".
Problem-solving skills. For certain vehicle controls engineer responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "problem-solving skills." The day-to-day duties of a vehicle controls engineer rely on this skill, as "mechanical engineers need good problem-solving skills to take scientific principles and discoveries and use them to design and build useful products." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what vehicle controls engineers do: "provided field support for evaluating vehicle performances and nvh issues that enabled quick customer resolution. "
Math skills. A commonly-found skill in vehicle controls engineer job descriptions, "math skills" is essential to what vehicle controls engineers do. Vehicle controls engineer responsibilities rely on this skill because "mechanical engineers use the principles of calculus, statistics, and other advanced subjects in math for analysis, design, and troubleshooting in their work." You can also see how vehicle controls engineer duties rely on math skills in this resume example: "reproduce suspension systems in 3d via autodesk software, numerical analysis of linkage geometry in motion. "
The three companies that hire the most vehicle controls engineers are:
Compare different vehicle controls engineers
Vehicle controls engineer vs. Engineer
Engineers are highly trained professionals who determine the feasibility of various projects, usually related to the construction industry. They are considered experts in mathematics and science, two disciplines that they need to use in designing and coming up with plans for projects. They should also be well-versed in different construction or industrial materials, and they ensure that appropriate materials are used for the project. They also ensure that the projects meet the requirements of the groups that hired them. They create spaces that would both address the needs of the end-users and the industry standards. They also ensure that the projects they make would stand the test of time.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, vehicle controls engineer responsibilities require skills like "canalyzer," "vehicle dynamics," "control algorithms," and "dvp." Meanwhile a typical engineer has skills in areas such as "python," "cloud," "c++," and "c #." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Engineers tend to make the most money working in the automotive industry, where they earn an average salary of $97,672. In contrast, vehicle controls engineers make the biggest average salary, $100,212, in the automotive industry.On average, engineers reach lower levels of education than vehicle controls engineers. Engineers are 9.5% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 1.6% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Vehicle controls engineer vs. Staff engineer
Staff engineers are responsible for designing, developing, and inspecting various products, equipment, or structures. These professionals may perform varied duties depending on their specialization that includes overseeing the design and construction of buildings, bridges, sewer systems, and other infrastructure, estimating the financial costs of construction projects, and ensuring compliance with health and safety laws and regulations. Other duties include designing and developing machinery, tools, and engines, solving design problems, and building the manufacturing equipment needed to create their products.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, vehicle controls engineer responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "canalyzer," "vehicle dynamics," "control algorithms," and "dvp." Meanwhile, a staff engineer has duties that require skills in areas such as "java," "python," "architecture," and "software development." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
On average, staff engineers earn a higher salary than vehicle controls engineers. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, staff engineers earn the most pay in the telecommunication industry with an average salary of $119,079. Whereas vehicle controls engineers have higher pay in the automotive industry, with an average salary of $100,212.In general, staff engineers achieve lower levels of education than vehicle controls engineers. They're 6.5% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 1.6% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Vehicle controls 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.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a vehicle controls engineer is likely to be skilled in "canalyzer," "vehicle dynamics," "control algorithms," and "dvp," while a typical research engineer is skilled in "python," "c #," "java," and "software development."
Research engineers make a very good living in the start-up industry with an average annual salary of $141,240. On the other hand, vehicle controls engineers are paid the highest salary in the automotive industry, with average annual pay of $100,212.research engineers typically earn similar educational levels compared to vehicle controls engineers. Specifically, they're 0.8% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 6.2% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Vehicle controls engineer vs. Lead engineer
A lead engineer's duties vary on their line of work or industry of employment. Typically, their responsibilities will revolve around overseeing the progress of operations and performance of the workforce, ensuring that everything is running smoothly. They are also responsible for addressing issues and concerns, assessing risks, monitoring the budget, coordinating with clients and architects, and even training workers. Furthermore, as a lead engineer, it is crucial to conduct regular inspections to ensure the quality of work and maintain a safe environment for all workers.
Types of vehicle controls engineer
Updated January 8, 2025
