Automotive engineer : Job description

Automotive engineering includes mechanical, electrical, electronic, software and safety engineering as applied to the design, manufacture and operation of motorcycles, automobiles, buses and trucks and their respective engineering subsystems.

Automotive engineers work in three main areas:

• product engineering or design engineering - designing and testing a part, ensuring it meets all its requirements and performs as required;
• development engineering - engineering the attributes of the automobile;
• manufacturing engineering - determining how to make it.

Once established, automotive engineers usually specialise in a particular area, for example structural design, exhaust systems or engines. They are usually involved in at least one of three general areas - research, design or testing. In smaller, independent engineering firms, automotive engineers may do all three of these tasks.

Typical work activities

Automotive engineers usually specialise in a particular area of work. However, typical work activities may include:

• designing and producing visual interpretations of automobiles and their components using computer-aided design packages;
• deciding on the most appropriate materials for component production;
• applying mechanical, thermodynamic, pneumatic, hydraulic and electrical principles to resolve engineering problems and find appropriate solutions;
• building prototypes of components, developing test procedures and conducting tests using software packages and physical testing methods; 
• researching, designing and developing machinery and systems for automobiles;
• preparing material, cost and timing estimates, reports and design specifications;
• studying the energy, environmental and safety aspects of the planned work;
• supervising and inspecting the installation, modification and commissioning of mechanical systems in industrial facilities or plants;
• investigating mechanical failures or unexpected maintenance problems;
• supervising technicians, technologists and other engineers, and reviewing and approving designs, calculations and cost estimates;
• liaising with suppliers and handling supply chain management issues;
• taking responsibility for individual projects, managing associated budgets, production schedules and resources (including staff), and supervising quality control;
• inspecting and even test driving vehicles and checking for faults.