Summary 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
- 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.
Tools & Technology
Tools used in this occupation:
| Anechoic chambers — Climate test chambers |
| Chemical absorption gas analyzers — Gas analyzers; Hydrogen analyzers |
| Dynamometers — Engine test dynamometers; Transmission dynamometers |
| Pressure indicators — Pressure gauges |
| 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 |
| Computer aided design CAD software — Autodesk AutoCAD software; Dassault Systemes SolidWorks software; Think3 ThinkDesign Engineering; Vector CANtech software |
| 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 |
| 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 (2011) | $38.09 hourly, $79,230 annual |
| Employment (2010) | 243,000 employees |
| Projected growth (2010-2020) | 
Slower than average (3% to 9%)
|
| Projected job openings (2010-2020) | 99,600 |
| Top industries (2010) |
State & National
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics 2011 wage data
and 2010-2020 employment projections
.
"Projected growth" represents the estimated change in total employment over the projections period (2010-2020). "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.
- Mechanical Engineers
. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012-13 Edition.
- SAE International
, 400 Commonwealth Dr., Warrendale, PA 15096-0001. Phone: (724) 776-4841.