Automobile Engineer

Also known as:

Car Production Engineer
Engineer, Automobile
Vehicle Engineer
Automotive Engineer

Introduction

Automobile engineers design, test, develop and manufacture automobiles. They help the automotive industry to meet new challenges, for example, making sure that cars are safe, environmentally friendly and fuel-efficient. As well as cars and commercial vehicles, they also design and develop buses, coaches, tanks and racing cars.

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Work Activities

Designing and developing a vehicle involves a wide range of engineering knowledge. For example, automobile engineers use their knowledge of mechanical engineering, combustion, vehicle structures and aerodynamics.

They also need knowledge of computers and electronic and electrical systems, which are becoming increasingly sophisticated in modern vehicles. For example, most cars now have computer-controlled engine systems and digital display dashboards.

Some automobile engineers specialise in design. They need to take into account factors such as the strength, safety, efficiency, appearance and cost of parts.

In design many automobile engineers use computer-aided design (CAD) technology, allowing them to create and change designs much more quickly than using drawing boards.

Other automobile engineers specialise in research and development. They need to take into account factors such as cost, comfort, safety (including crash and safety testing), fuel efficiency and environmental issues such as reducing carbon emissions.

Research engineers work on both new and existing products. For example, they create new technologies such as multimedia car entertainment systems and bio-diesel engines. A lot of their work takes place in laboratories and workshops, although they may also work out in the open. They test safety and performance by using prototypes.

Automobile engineers may work with manufacturers to plan full-scale production once all the testing has been completed.

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Personal Qualities and Skills

Automobile engineers need knowledge of many different aspects of engineering, including mechanical engineering, combustion, aerodynamics, electrical and electronic systems and fuel technology.

You will need the ability to think in an orderly and logical way, as well as having imagination and a curious mind.

Automobile engineers often work to deadlines, so you must be able to work under pressure.

Excellent communication skills are needed to work in a team with, for example, design engineers, research engineers, engineering technicians and manufacturers.

Advanced computer skills are needed in this career, for example, to use CAD technology or to work on sophisticated computer equipment in modern vehicles.

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Pay and Opportunities

Salaries for automobile engineers vary, depending on employer, role and responsibilities.

The pay rates given below are approximate.

Automobile engineers earn in the range of £23,000 - £28,500 a year, rising to £36,500 - £45,000. Higher earners can make around £47,000 a year, and higher salaries are possible.

Most automobile engineers work 35-40 hours, Monday to Friday. However, early starts, late finishes and some weekend work may be required, especially as deadlines approach.

Employers are major motor manufacturers. There are also openings with manufacturers of commercial vehicles and buses, sports cars and rail vehicles.

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Adult Opportunities

It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

If you don't have the qualifications needed to enter your chosen degree or HND course, a college or university Access course (eg, Access to Engineering) could be the way in.

These courses are designed for people who have not followed the usual routes into higher education. No formal qualifications are usually needed, but you should check this with individual colleges.

Other pathways to registration as a Chartered or Incorporated Engineer include career progression from other levels of registration and routes based on the achievement of Occupational Standards.

An alternative route to the Academic Standard for Chartered Engineers is the Engineering Council Examination. This is for people whose circumstances prevent them from taking an accredited degree, those who have non-accredited degrees and for people from overseas who want to obtain a recognised British engineering qualification.

• 12% of people in occupations such as automobile engineer are self-employed.
• 7% work part-time.
• 12% have flexible hours.

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