Details Report for:
17-3027.01 - Automotive Engineering Technicians
Assist engineers in determining the practicality of proposed product design changes and plan and carry out tests on experimental test devices or equipment for performance, durability, or efficiency.
This title represents an occupation for which data collection is currently underway.
Tasks | Tools & Technology | Education | Wages & Employment | Additional Information
Tasks Save Table (XLS/CSV)
- Perform or execute manual or automated tests of automotive system or component performance, efficiency, or durability.
- Recommend product or component design improvements based on data and observations.
- Analyze test data for automotive systems, subsystems, or component parts.
- Calibrate test equipment.
- Document test results, using cameras, spreadsheets, documents, or other tools.
- Fabricate prototype components or fixtures, or modify existing prototypes.
- Inspect or test parts to determine nature or cause of defects or malfunctions.
- Install equipment, such as instrumentation, test equipment, engines, or aftermarket products, to ensure proper interfaces.
- Maintain test equipment in operational condition by performing routine maintenance or making minor repairs or adjustments as needed.
- Monitor computer-controlled test equipment, according to written or verbal instructions.
- Read and interpret blueprints, schematics, work specifications, drawings, or charts.
- Recommend tests or testing conditions in accordance with designs, customer requirements, or industry standards to ensure test validity.
- Set up mechanical, hydraulic, or electric test equipment in accordance with engineering specifications, standards, or test procedures.
- Develop instrumentation and laboratory test equipment for special purposes.
- Order new test equipment, supplies, or replacement parts.
- Analyze performance of vehicles or components that have been redesigned to increase fuel efficiency, such as camless or dual-clutch engines or alternative types of air-conditioning systems.
- Improve fuel efficiency by testing vehicles or components that use lighter materials, such as aluminum, magnesium alloy, or plastic.
- Participate in research or testing of computerized automotive applications, such as telemetrics, intelligent transportation systems, artificial intelligence, or automatic control.
- Test performance of vehicles that use alternative fuels, such as alcohol blends, natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas, biodiesel, nanodiesel, or alternative power methods, such as solar energy or hydrogen fuel cells.
Tools & Technology Save Table (XLS/CSV)
Tools used in this occupation:
| Calipers |
| Compression testers |
| Dynamometers — Chassis dynamometers |
| Flowmeters — Flow benches |
| Gauges or inspection fixtures — Pin gauges |
| Metal inert gas MIG welding machinery — Metal inert gas MIG welders |
| Milling cutters — Computer numerical controlled CNC milling machines |
| Multimeters |
| Oscilloscopes — Ignition oscilloscopes |
| Signal generators — Function generators |
| Speed sensors — Timing lights |
| Tension testers — Crack detection equipment; High-vacuum tensile testing chambers |
| Turning machines — Computerized numerical control CNC turning centers |
Technology used in this occupation:
| Analytical or scientific software — Data acquisition software; Road simulators |
| Computer aided design CAD software — Autodesk AutoCAD Mechanical; Autodesk Inventor; PTC Pro/ENGINEER software |
| Computer aided manufacturing CAM software |
| Development environment software — National Instruments LabVIEW |
| Electronic mail software — IBM Lotus Notes |
| Spreadsheet software — Microsoft Excel |
| Word processing software — Microsoft Word |
Education
This occupation may require a background in the following science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) educational disciplines:
Wages & Employment Trends
National
Median wages data collected from Mechanical Engineering Technicians.
Employment data collected from Mechanical Engineering Technicians.
Industry data collected from Mechanical Engineering Technicians.
| Median wages (2010) | $24.09 hourly, $50,110 annual |
| Employment (2008) | 46,000 employees |
| Projected growth (2008-2018) | 
Little or no change (-2% to 2%)
|
| Projected job openings (2008-2018) | 8,700 |
| Top industries (2008) | Manufacturing (46% 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.
- Engineering technicians
. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition.