High School
High school students interested in automotive engineering should take a great deal of mathematics, including geometry, trigonometry, calculus, and two years of algebra. They should develop a strong background in physics, chemistry, biology, and computer programming or applications. Because automotive engineers must communicate constantly with other engineers, scientists, clients, and consumers, four years of language arts are essential.
Postsecondary Training
After high school, students should attend a four-year college or university and earn a bachelor's degree in automotive, mechanical, electronics, materials engineering, or a related engineering field. Some engineers major in a science such as physics, computers, or chemistry and then find work applying their science in an engineering field or go to graduate school for a master's or doctorate degree in engineering. Many engineers, no matter their undergraduate major, now pursue advanced degrees in the field.
Other Education or Training
Because technology is rapidly developing, automotive engineers need to continue their education, formally or informally, throughout their careers. Conferences, seminars, and other continuing education (CE) opportunities serve to educate engineers about developments in the field. Many of these opportunities are provided by professional associations. For example, SAE International offers continuing education opportunities at conferences and through online training sessions. Topics include design engineering and styling; human factors and ergonomics; safety, fuels and energy sources; and quality, reliability, and durability. The Institute of Industrial Engineers provides continuing education courses on topics such as management, developing effective communication skills, applied ergonomics, quality systems standards, and supply chain management. The Society of Women Engineers offers conference sessions, webinars, and other education resources on topics such as leadership, career development, and special issues for women in engineering. Other organizations that provide CE opportunities include the American Society for Engineering Education, ASME, National Society of Professional Engineers, and SME. Contact these organizations for more information.
In addition, there are a growing number of skilled technician and engineer positions in the automotive industry that reflect the growing use of automated control systems, robotics, and mechatronics systems in the automotive and automotive parts production process. In order to meet the demand for automotive technicians and engineers, automobile and automobile parts manufacturers have partnered with community and technical colleges in the Midwest and Southeast to develop training and apprenticeship programs targeted for automotive industry workers employed and students seeking employment in semiskilled and skilled occupations in the automotive manufacturing and automotive parts industries.
For example, Autocam (http://www.autocam.com), a precision manufacturer for both the automotive and medical industries, has partnered with the Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC) in Michigan and a handful of automotive and automotive parts manufacturing companies to operate a talent development program for technicians and engineers interested in developing advanced manufacturing skills presently in demand for these two related automotive industries.
FAQs
Automobile Engineering eligibility criteria typically involve passing Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics, with aggregate marks ranging from 50 percent to 70 percent. Some institutions may also consider performance in additional subjects like Computer Science or Economics.
Is there money in automotive engineering? ›
The average automotive engineer salary in California is $149,625 per year or $71.94 per hour. Entry level positions start at $119,600 per year while most experienced workers make up to $195,000 per year.
Is there a demand for automotive engineers in the future? ›
The overall job outlook for Automotive Engineer careers has been positive since 2004. Vacancies for this career have increased by 35.45 percent nationwide in that time, with an average growth of 2.22 percent per year. Demand for Automotive Engineers is expected to go up, with an expected 34,750 new jobs filled by 2029.
Is being an automotive engineer hard? ›
Being an automotive engineer is a difficult job, but it can be fulfilling and tends to pay fairly high. Automotive engineering is a branch of engineering that focuses on cars. As an automotive engineer, you'll work on designing, building, and testing a variety of features involved in an automobile.
Does automotive engineering require a lot of math? ›
High school students interested in automotive engineering should take a great deal of mathematics, including geometry, trigonometry, calculus, and two years of algebra.
How many hours a week do automotive engineers work? ›
The average workweek for an automotive engineer is between 40 and 55 hours, but it can be longer as deadlines approach.
Who is the richest automotive engineer? ›
As of June 12, 2024, Elon Musk has a net worth of US$206.1 billion, making him the wealthiest person in the automotive industry.
Which engineering has the highest salary? ›
In terms of median pay and growth potential, these are the 10 highest paying engineering jobs to consider.
- Systems Engineer. ...
- Electrical Engineer. ...
- Chemical Engineer. ...
- Big Data Engineer. ...
- Nuclear Engineer. ...
- Aerospace Engineer. ...
- Computer Hardware Engineer. ...
- Petroleum Engineer.
Here are 10 high-paying jobs with annual salaries over $60,000 in the automotive industry:
- Automotive service manager. ...
- Auto body technician. ...
- Auto estimator. ...
- Car sales executive. ...
- Industrial designer. ...
- Truck driver. ...
- Mechanical designer. ...
- Diesel technician.
The 'hardest' engineering majors are chemical, electrical, and aerospace engineering, based on some of the key areas of difficulty we've been considering. Chemical and electrical engineering involve higher levels of abstraction.
While ZipRecruiter is seeing salaries as high as $135,700 and as low as $36,022, the majority of Automobile Engineer salaries currently range between $87,300 (25th percentile) to $134,200 (75th percentile) with top earners (90th percentile) making $134,219 annually in California.
What is the life of an automotive engineer? ›
Automotive Engineers usually work full-time, and the role can involve additional hours during critical phases of product development or when approaching key deadlines. The job entails a mix of desk-based tasks, such as simulations and design work, as well as physical activities like prototype assembly or testing.
What degree is best for automotive engineering? ›
The most common four-year degree you'll see is a Bachelor's in Automotive Engineering Technology, but many colleges and universities will also offer a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, possibly with concentrations or minors in automotive areas or topics.
What are the top three industries that employ automotive engineers? ›
Automotive engineers can find employment with one of the Big Three U.S. automobile makers (General Motors, Ford Motor Company, and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles), major foreign automakers that have factories or divisions in the United States (Honda, Nissan, Toyota, Hyundai, BMW, Volkswagen, and Mercedes-Benz), the battery ...
What are the disadvantages of being an automotive engineer? ›
DISADVANTAGES OF AUTOMOTIVE ENGINEERING
The way up to the job may be difficult. You don't really change fields while you work so if you don't really like it you may get bored. Depending on how you are, some people may annoy you. Like all jobs if you don't like or are not good at it the job it might seem to drag along.
Which college is best for automobile engineering? ›
- Popular Colleges.
- XIME Bangalore.
- SIBM Pune.
- JBIMS Mumbai.
- FMS.
- IIM Ahmedabad.
- NMIMS.
- Other MBA colleges.
Automotive engineering requires a clear understanding of programming languages like C++ and C. This is because these languages are deeply embedded into various microcontrollers in car technology. Engineers must know how to handle, organize and manage these circuits and understand how automation impacts vehicles.
How many engineers are needed to design a car? ›
Apart from this, there would be studio heads, studio managers, and prototype engineers who would work across all teams in the studio. The total team size for developing a full car usually ranges from 25 to 40 members and the development time lasts for more than 24 months until signed-off for tooling and production.
