Details Report for:
17-2141.02 - Automotive Engineers
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.
This title represents an occupation for which data collection is currently underway.
Tasks | Tools & Technology | Wages & Employment | Additional Information
Tasks Save Table (XLS/CSV)
- Conduct or direct system-level automotive testing.
- Design control systems or algorithms for purposes such as automotive energy management, emissions management, or increased operational safety or performance.
- Design or analyze automobile systems in areas such as aerodynamics, alternate fuels, ergonomics, hybrid power, brakes, transmissions, steering, calibration, safety, or diagnostics.
- Alter or modify designs to obtain specified functional or operational performance.
- Build models for algorithm or control feature verification testing.
- Calibrate vehicle systems, including control algorithms or other software systems.
- Conduct automotive design reviews.
- Develop calibration methodologies, test methodologies, or tools.
- Develop engineering specifications or cost estimates for automotive design concepts.
- Develop or integrate control feature requirements.
- Perform failure, variation, or root cause analyses.
- Provide technical direction to other engineers or engineering support personnel.
- Write, review, or maintain engineering documentation.
- Conduct research studies to develop new concepts in the field of automotive engineering.
- Coordinate production activities with other functional units, such as procurement, maintenance, or quality control.
- Develop or implement operating methods or procedures.
- Establish production or quality control standards.
- Prepare or present technical or project status reports.
- Read current literature, attend meetings or conferences, and talk with colleagues to stay abreast of new technology and competitive products.
- Create design alternatives for vehicle components, such as camless or dual-clutch engines or alternative air-conditioning systems, to increase fuel efficiency.
- Design vehicles for increased recyclability or use of natural, renewable, or recycled materials in vehicle construction.
- Design vehicles that use lighter materials, such as aluminum, magnesium alloy, or plastic, to improve fuel efficiency.
- Develop specifications for vehicles powered by alternative fuels or alternative power methods.
- Research computerized automotive applications, such as telemetrics, intelligent transportation systems, artificial intelligence, or automatic control.
- Research or implement green automotive technologies involving alternative fuels, electric or hybrid cars, or lighter or more fuel-efficient vehicles.
Tools & Technology Save Table (XLS/CSV)
Tools used in this occupation:
| Anechoic chambers — Climate test chambers |
| Chemical absorption gas analyzers — Gas analyzers; Hydrogen analyzers |
| Dynamometers — Engine test dynamometers; Transmission dynamometers |
| Lathes — Computerized numerical control CNC lathes; Multitasking lathes |
| Metal inert gas MIG welding machinery — Metal inert gas MIG welders |
| Milling machines — Five-axis machining centers; Three-axis vertical mills |
| Oxygen gas analyzers — Oxygen analyzers |
| Power grinders — Bench grinders; Disc finishing machines |
| Pressure indicators — Pressure gauges |
| Spectrometers — Spectroscopes |
| Track cranes — Overhead cranes |
| Workshop cranes |
| Workshop presses — Bench drill presses; Floor drill presses |
Technology used in this occupation:
| Analytical or scientific software — Gamma Technologies GT-SUITE; Maplesoft Maple; SoMat eDAQ; The MathWorks Simulink (see all 16 examples) |
| Computer aided design CAD software — Autodesk AutoCAD software; Dassault Systemes SolidWorks software; Think3 ThinkDesign Engineering; Vector CANtech software (see all 14 examples) |
| Computer aided manufacturing CAM software — CNC Mastercam |
| Development environment software — C; Digital Equipment Corporation DIGITAL Fortran 90; Very high speed integrated circuit VHSIC hardware description language VHDL |
| Graphics or photo imaging software — Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop software; Ambient Design ArtRage; Corel Painter Sketch Pad; Portalgraphics openCanvas (see all 7 examples) |
| Industrial control software — Metrologic Group Metrolog XG |
| Object or component oriented development software — C++; Microsoft Visual C# |
Wages & Employment Trends
National
Median wages data collected from Mechanical Engineers.
Employment data collected from Mechanical Engineers.
Industry data collected from Mechanical Engineers.
| Median wages (2010) | $37.58 hourly, $78,160 annual |
| Employment (2008) | 239,000 employees |
| Projected growth (2008-2018) | 
Slower than average (3% to 6%)
|
| Projected job openings (2008-2018) | 75,700 |
| Top industries (2008) | Manufacturing (51% employed in this sector)
|
State & National
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics 2010 wage data
and 2008-2018 employment projections
.
"Projected growth" represents the estimated change in total employment over the projections period (2008-2018). "Projected job openings" represent openings due to growth and replacement.
Sources of Additional Information
Disclaimer: Sources are listed to provide additional information on related jobs, specialties, and/or industries. Links to non-DOL Internet sites are provided for your convenience and do not constitute an endorsement.
- Engineers
. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition.