Automotive Engineers
Develop new or improved designs for vehicle structural members, engines, transmissions, or other vehicle systems, using computer-assisted design technology. Direct building, modification, or testing of vehicle or components.
Technology Tools
Key Tasks
- Conduct or direct system-level automotive testing.
- Provide technical direction to other engineers or engineering support personnel.
- Perform failure, variation, or root cause analyses.
- Calibrate vehicle systems, including control algorithms or other software systems.
- Design or analyze automobile systems in areas such as aerodynamics, alternate fuels, ergonomics, hybrid power, brakes, transmissions, steering, calibration, safety, or diagnostics.
- Prepare or present technical or project status reports.
- Establish production or quality control standards.
- Alter or modify designs to obtain specified functional or operational performance.
- Conduct research studies to develop new concepts in the field of automotive engineering.
- Develop calibration methodologies, test methodologies, or tools.
- Create design alternatives for vehicle components, such as camless or dual-clutch engines or alternative air-conditioning systems, to increase fuel efficiency.
- Develop or implement operating methods or procedures.
- Research or implement green automotive technologies involving alternative fuels, electric or hybrid cars, or lighter or more fuel-efficient vehicles.
- Develop engineering specifications or cost estimates for automotive design concepts.
- Design vehicles that use lighter materials, such as aluminum, magnesium alloy, or plastic, to improve fuel efficiency.
- Write, review, or maintain engineering documentation.
- Conduct automotive design reviews.
- Develop specifications for vehicles powered by alternative fuels or alternative power methods.
- Build models for algorithm or control feature verification testing.
- Coordinate production activities with other functional units, such as procurement, maintenance, or quality control.
- Design control systems or algorithms for purposes such as automotive energy management, emissions management, or increased operational safety or performance.
- Develop or integrate control feature requirements.
- Research computerized automotive applications, such as telemetrics, intelligent transportation systems, artificial intelligence, or automatic control.
- Design vehicles for increased recyclability or use of natural, renewable, or recycled materials in vehicle construction.
- Read current literature, attend meetings or conferences, or talk with colleagues to stay abreast of new automotive technology or competitive products.
Skills
Knowledge
Build a Resume for Automotive Engineers
Create a professional, ATS-optimized resume tailored to this career path.
Abilities
Work Activities
Work Context
How frequently does your job require you to use E-mail?
100%
Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
How frequently does your job require face-to-face discussions with individuals and within teams?
93%
Telephone Conversations
How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?
91%
Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
How important is it to work with or contribute to a work group or team in this job?
91%
Duration of Typical Work Week
Number of hours typically worked in one week.
86%
Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job?
86%
Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
How often does this job require working indoors in an environmentally controlled environment (like a warehouse with air conditioning)?
85%
Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals
How much freedom does the worker have in determining the tasks, priorities, or goals of the job?
80%
Freedom to Make Decisions
How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer?
75%
Spend Time Sitting
How much does this job require sitting?
74%
Contact With Others
How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?
72%
Time Pressure
How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines?
72%
Coordinate or Lead Others in Accomplishing Work Activities
How important is it to coordinate or lead others (not as a supervisor or team leader) in accomplishing work activities in this job?
70%
Health and Safety of Other Workers
How much responsibility is there for the health and safety of others in this job?
63%
Level of Competition
To what extent does this job require the worker to compete or to be aware of competitive pressures?
63%
Work Outcomes and Results of Other Workers
How responsible is the worker for work outcomes and results of other workers?
59%
Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results
What results do your decisions usually have on other people or the image or reputation or financial resources of your employer?
58%
Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
How often does this job require wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hearing protection, hard hats or life-jackets?
56%
Written Letters and Memos
How frequently does your job require written letters and memos?
56%
Deal With External Customers or the Public in General
How important is it to deal with external customers (as in retail sales) or the public in general (as in police work) in this job?
54%
Frequency of Decision Making
How often is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization?
54%
Physical Proximity
To what extent does this job require the worker to perform job tasks physically close to other people?
54%
In an Enclosed Vehicle or Operate Enclosed Equipment
How often does this job require working in a closed vehicle or operate enclosed equipment (like a car)?
50%
Consequence of Error
How serious would the result usually be if the worker made a mistake that was not easily correctable?
48%
Public Speaking
How frequently does your job require public speaking (one speaker with an audience)?
48%
Conflict Situations
How frequently are there conflict situations the employee has to face in this job?
43%
Importance of Repeating Same Tasks
How important are continuous, repetitive, physical activities (like key entry) or mental activities (like checking entries in a ledger) to performing this job?
42%
Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable
How often does this job require working exposed to sounds and noise levels that are distracting or uncomfortable?
41%
Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled
How often does this job require working in an environment that is not environmentally controlled (like a warehouse without air conditioning)?
41%
Spend Time Standing
How much does this job require standing?
36%
Dealing With Unpleasant, Angry, or Discourteous People
How frequently does the worker have to deal with unpleasant, angry, or discourteous individuals as part of the job requirements?
35%
Exposed to Hazardous Equipment
How often does this job require exposure to hazardous equipment?
35%
Outdoors, Under Cover
How often does this job require working outdoors, under cover (like in an open shed)?
33%
Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
How much does this job require using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls?
33%
Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions
How often does this job require working outdoors, exposed to all weather conditions?
32%
Degree of Automation
How automated is the job?
31%
Spend Time Walking or Running
How much does this job require walking or running?
30%
Exposed to Contaminants
How often does this job require working exposed to contaminants (such as pollutants, gases, dust or odors)?
29%
Exposed to Very Hot or Cold Temperatures
How often does this job require working in very hot (above 90 F degrees) or very cold (below 32 F degrees) temperatures?
28%
Wear Specialized Protective or Safety Equipment such as Breathing Apparatus, Safety Harness, Full Protection Suits, or Radiation Protection
How often does this job require wearing specialized protective or safety equipment such as breathing apparatus, safety harness, full protection suits, or radiation protection?
24%
Exposed to Cramped Work Space, Awkward Positions
How often does this job require working in cramped work spaces that requires getting into awkward positions?
21%
Exposed to Hazardous Conditions
How often does this job require exposure to hazardous conditions?
20%
Exposed to Extremely Bright or Inadequate Lighting Conditions
How often does this job require working in extremely bright or inadequate lighting conditions?
19%
Spend Time Bending or Twisting Your Body
How much does this job require bending or twisting your body?
19%
Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions
How much does this job require making repetitive motions?
18%
Pace Determined by Speed of Equipment
How important is it to this job that the pace is determined by the speed of equipment or machinery? (This does not refer to keeping busy at all times on this job.)
17%
Exposed to Minor Burns, Cuts, Bites, or Stings
How often does this job require exposure to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings?
16%
Spend Time Kneeling, Crouching, Stooping, or Crawling
How much does this job require kneeling, crouching, stooping or crawling?
16%
In an Open Vehicle or Operating Equipment
How often does this job require working in an open vehicle or operating equipment (like a tractor)?
12%
Dealing with Violent or Physically Aggressive People
How frequently does this job require the worker to deal with physical aggression of violent individuals?
11%
Exposed to Whole Body Vibration
How often does this job require exposure to whole body vibration (like operating a jackhammer or earth moving equipment)?
11%
Spend Time Keeping or Regaining Balance
How much does this job require keeping or regaining your balance?
7%
Exposed to High Places
How often does this job require exposure to high places?
6%
Spend Time Climbing Ladders, Scaffolds, or Poles
How much does this job require climbing ladders, scaffolds, poles, etc.?
6%
Work Schedules
How regular are the work schedules for this job?
5%
Exposed to Disease or Infections
How often does this job require exposure to disease/infections?
1%
Exposed to Radiation
How often does this job require exposure to radiation?
0%
Education
Bachelor's degree
Master's degree
Post-secondary certificate
Interests
Realistic
Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, t
Investigative
Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the f
Conventional
Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or hum
Artistic
Work involves creating original visual artwork, performances, written works, food, or music for a variety of media, or applying artistic principles to the design of various objects and materials. Artistic occupations are often associated with visual arts,
Enterprising
Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations. Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertis
Social
Work involves helping, teaching, advising, assisting, or providing service to others. Social occupations are often associated with social, health care, personal service, teaching/education, or religious activities.
Work Styles
Work Values
Ready to pursue a career as Automotive Engineers?
Create a professional resume that highlights the right skills and experience for this role.
Build Your Resume Now