Automotive engineer : Salary and conditions

• Range of typical starting salaries: £23,000 - £30,000 depending on the employer, relevance of work experience and class of degree.
• With experience automotive engineers can expect to earn £35,000 - £45,000, depending on their role and whether they have gained chartership.
• Salaries can rise to £65,000 plus for senior positions.
• Benefits can include discounted car/motorcycle purchase schemes, pension schemes, health insurance benefits and performance-related bonuses.
• Working hours are typically nine to five, Monday to Friday, possibly with some extra hours. Some jobs may involve shift work, including evenings and weekends. Positions within the motorsport industry may require weekend and out-of-hours working to support events and deadlines.
• Most automotive engineers work in large manufacturing companies or for engineering firms. Work is usually carried out in an office, research facility or manufacturing plant. Some engineers will spend most of their time in the office, using a computer, whilst others will split their time between the office and workshop.
• Self-employment, while not common among new graduates, is possible and usually takes the form of contracting. This is an attractive option once a sufficient level of expertise is reached and many agencies recruit staff for highly paid contract work. Engineers considering career breaks must keep up to date with technical knowledge and skills.
• Women are currently under-represented in this area of work. There are, however, initiatives in place to help women looking to break into the industry. The The Women's Engineering Society (WES) , for example, organises a national mentoring scheme, MentorSET, to provide support for women. Women into Science, Engineering and Construction (WISE)  led by The UKRC  provides other useful resources.
• Although the majority of jobs are still found in the Midlands, there are many smaller companies across the UK providing specialist services to the automotive industry. In addition, many of the motorsport companies have research and design facilities in southern and central England.
• Travel within a working day to other factories and plants and to conduct outdoor field work is possible, although absence from home overnight is uncommon. Opportunities for overseas work or travel are possible, particularly in the motorsport industry.

Salary figures are intended as a guide only.