Automotive Engineers
17-2141.02
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.
Sample of reported job titles: Dimensional Integration Engineer, Engineer, Product Engineer, Project Engineer, Research Engineer
Occupation-Specific Information
Tasks
- Coordinate production activities with other functional units, such as procurement, maintenance, or quality control.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Technology Skills
- Analytical or scientific software - Altair Engineering MotionSolve; Ansys Fluent; ANSYS simulation software; AVL AVL CRUISE; CADRE Analytic; Dassault Systemes Simulia Abaqus FEA; Data acquisition systems; Gamma Technologies GT-SUITE; Hardware-in-the-loop HIL simulation software; LMS Imagine.Lab AMESim; Maplesoft Maple; Maplesoft MapleSim; MathWorks Simulink; Mentor Graphics Flowmaster; Minitab; Somat eDAQ; Statistical analysis software; The MathWorks MATLAB π₯
- Computer aided design CAD software - Ashlar-Vellum Graphite; Autodesk Alias Automotive; Autodesk AutoCAD π₯; Autodesk AutoCAD Mechanical; Autodesk Inventor; Computer aided design CAD software; Dassault Systemes CATIA; Dassault Systemes SolidWorks π₯; IronCAD; MAHLE Powertrain; Siemens NX; Siemens Solid Edge; Think3 ThinkDesign Engineering
- Computer aided manufacturing CAM software - 1CadCam Unigraphics; CNC Mastercam
- Customer relationship management CRM software - Salesforce software π₯
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Data base user interface and query software -
International Material Data System IMDS; Structured query language SQL
- Development environment software - C π₯; Digital Equipment Corporation DIGITAL Fortran 90; Microsoft .NET Framework π₯; Microsoft Visual Basic Scripting Edition VBScript; Microsoft Visual Studio π₯; Very high-speed integrated circuit VHSIC hardware description language VHDL; Xcode
- Electronic mail software - IBM Notes
- Enterprise application integration software - Atlassian Bamboo π₯; Extensible markup language XML π₯; Jenkins CI π₯
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software - SAP software π₯
- File versioning software - Git π₯
- Graphics or photo imaging software - Adobe Photoshop π₯; Ambient Design ArtRage; Autodesk SketchBook Pro; Corel Painter; Corel Painter Sketch Pad; GNU Image Manipulation Program GIMP; Portalgraphics openCanvas
- Industrial control software - Metrologic Group Metrolog XG
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Object or component oriented development software -
Apache Groovy; C# π₯; C++ π₯; Object oriented development environment software; Oracle Java ; Perl π₯; Python ; Swift π₯
- Office suite software - Microsoft Office software π₯
- Operating system software - Linux π₯; Magellan Firmware; Microsoft Windows π₯; UNIX π₯
- Presentation software - Microsoft PowerPoint π₯
- Process mapping and design software - Microsoft Visio π₯
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Program testing software -
Debugging software; JUnit π₯; Selenium ; TestNG
- Project management software - Atlassian Confluence π₯; Atlassian JIRA π₯; Microsoft Project π₯
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Spreadsheet software -
Microsoft Excel
- Web platform development software - JavaScript π₯; JavaScript Object Notation JSON π₯; Node.js π₯
- Word processing software - Microsoft Word π₯
Occupational Requirements
Work Activities
- Getting Information - Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings - Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events - Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials - Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
- Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information - Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
- Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People - Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
- Processing Information - Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards - Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
- Analyzing Data or Information - Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems - Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
- Thinking Creatively - Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge - Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
- Developing Objectives and Strategies - Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
- Scheduling Work and Activities - Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
- Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work - Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
- Performing General Physical Activities - Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.
- Handling and Moving Objects - Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
- Controlling Machines and Processes - Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
- Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment - Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or watercraft.
- Working with Computers - Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
- Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment - Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
- Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment - Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
- Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment - Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.
- Documenting/Recording Information - Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
- Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others - Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates - Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
- Communicating with People Outside the Organization - Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships - Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
- Assisting and Caring for Others - Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
- Selling or Influencing Others - Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
- Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others - Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
- Performing for or Working Directly with the Public - Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
- Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others - Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
- Developing and Building Teams - Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
- Training and Teaching Others - Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
- Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates - Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
- Coaching and Developing Others - Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
- Providing Consultation and Advice to Others - Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
- Performing Administrative Activities - Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
- Staffing Organizational Units - Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization.
- Monitoring and Controlling Resources - Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.
Detailed Work Activities
- Coordinate activities with suppliers, contractors, clients, or other departments.
- Test performance of electrical, electronic, mechanical, or integrated systems or equipment.
- Direct design or development activities.
- Provide technical guidance to other personnel.
- Conduct quantitative failure analyses of operational data.
- Calibrate scientific or technical equipment.
- Evaluate characteristics of equipment or systems.
- Design electromechanical equipment or systems.
- Prepare operational reports.
- Research advanced engineering designs or applications.
- Determine operational criteria or specifications.
- Research design or application of green technologies.
- Devise research or testing protocols.
- Design energy-efficient vehicles or vehicle components.
- Implement design or process improvements.
- Develop technical methods or processes.
- Estimate operational costs.
- Determine design criteria or specifications.
- Evaluate technical data to determine effect on designs or plans.
- Prepare technical reports for internal use.
- Maintain operational records or records systems.
- Create models of engineering designs or methods.
- Design control systems for mechanical or other equipment.
- Update technical knowledge.