Automotive Engineer

Overview and Key Facts

What Do They Do?

An automotive engineer could...

Overview Listen to this section

Cars are an important part of our daily lives. We depend on them to perform everyday tasks—getting to and from school and work, sports practice, grocery shopping, and various errands—and also to keep us safe while doing so. Our cars can keep us cool or warm while we drive them, and they even help us find our way. The automobile is made up of complicated braking, steering, and electrical systems, in addition to the engine and drive train. All of these systems require a tremendous amount of engineering, which is the responsibility of automotive engineers. They develop the components and systems that make our vehicles efficient and safe.

Do You Have the Skills and Characteristics of an Automotive Engineer?

1. Complex Problem Solving: ? Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
2. Critical Thinking: ? Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
3. Reading Comprehension: ? Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
4. Writing: ? Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
5. Judgment and Decision Making: ? Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

6. Speaking: ? Talking to others to convey information effectively.
7. Mathematics: ? Using mathematics to solve problems.
8. Operations Analysis: ? Analyzing needs and product requirements to create a design.
9. Systems Analysis: ? Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
10. Active Listening: ? Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Core Tasks

Think about if you'd like the typical tasks an Automotive Engineer might do:

• 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.
• Conduct research studies to develop new concepts in the field of automotive engineering.
• Establish production or quality control standards.
• Alter or modify designs to obtain specified functional or operational performance.
• Research or implement green automotive technologies involving alternative fuels, electric or hybrid cars, or lighter or more fuel-efficient vehicles.
• Create design alternatives for vehicle components, such as camless or dual-clutch engines or alternative air-conditioning systems, to increase fuel efficiency.
• Develop calibration methodologies, test methodologies, or tools.
• Develop or implement operating methods or procedures.
• Develop engineering specifications or cost estimates for automotive design concepts.
• Conduct automotive design reviews.
• Design vehicles that use lighter materials, such as aluminum, magnesium alloy, or plastic, to improve fuel efficiency.
• Write, review, or maintain engineering documentation.
• 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.
• Read current literature, attend meetings or conferences, or talk with colleagues to stay abreast of new automotive technology or competitive products.
• Design vehicles for increased recyclability or use of natural, renewable, or recycled materials in vehicle construction.