Automotive Engineers :: Job Description

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Automotive Engineers

Careers / Automotive Engineers

Summary Description


	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 Job Titles

1.	Automotive Designer

2.	Automotive Engineer

3.	Automotive Power Electronics Engineer

4.	Automotive Project Engineer

5.	Chief Engineer

6.	Development System Efficiency Manager

7.	Dimensional Integration Engineer

8.	Director of Engineering, Quality & Program Management.

9.	Director, Product Safety

10.	Engineering Manager

11.	Fuel-Efficient Automobile Designer

12.	Hybrid Powertrain Development Engineer

13.	Low-Emission Automobile Designer

14.	Powertrain Control Systems Engineer

15.	Powertrain Engineer

16.	Product Engineer

17.	Quality Assurance Engineer

18.	Quality Engineer

19.	Senior Engineering Team Leader

20.	Senior Project Engineer

21.	Technical Services Manager

22.	Technical Specialist

23.	Vehicle Controls Engineer

Job Tasks

	Conduct or direct system-level automotive testing. Test performance of electrical, electronic, mechanical, or integrated systems or equipment. Direct design or development activities.

	Conduct automotive design reviews. Evaluate technical data to determine effect on designs or plans.

	Develop engineering specifications or cost estimates for automotive design concepts. Estimate operational costs. Determine design criteria or specifications.

	Provide technical direction to other engineers or engineering support personnel. Provide technical guidance to other personnel.

	Perform failure, variation, or root cause analyses. Conduct quantitative failure analyses of operational data.

	Establish production or quality control standards. Determine operational criteria or specifications.

	Write, review, or maintain engineering documentation. Prepare technical reports for internal use. Maintain operational records or records systems.

	Prepare or present technical or project status reports. Prepare operational reports.

	Design vehicles that use lighter materials, such as aluminum, magnesium alloy, or plastic, to improve fuel efficiency. Design energy-efficient vehicles or vehicle components.

	Alter or modify designs to obtain specified functional or operational performance. Design electromechanical equipment or systems.

	Coordinate production activities with other functional units, such as procurement, maintenance, or quality control. Coordinate activities with suppliers, contractors, clients, or other departments.

	Design or analyze automobile systems in areas such as aerodynamics, alternate fuels, ergonomics, hybrid power, brakes, transmissions, steering, calibration, safety, or diagnostics. Evaluate characteristics of equipment or systems. Design electromechanical equipment or systems.

	Conduct research studies to develop new concepts in the field of automotive engineering. Research advanced engineering designs or applications.

	Research or implement green automotive technologies involving alternative fuels, electric or hybrid cars, or lighter or more fuel-efficient vehicles. Research design or application of green technologies.

	Create design alternatives for vehicle components, such as camless or dual-clutch engines or alternative air-conditioning systems, to increase fuel efficiency. Design energy-efficient vehicles or vehicle components.

	Develop calibration methodologies, test methodologies, or tools. Devise research or testing protocols.

	Read current literature, attend meetings or conferences, or talk with colleagues to stay abreast of new automotive technology or competitive products. Update technical knowledge.

	Calibrate vehicle systems, including control algorithms or other software systems. Calibrate scientific or technical equipment.

	Design control systems or algorithms for purposes such as automotive energy management, emissions management, or increased operational safety or performance. Design control systems for mechanical or other equipment.

	Develop or implement operating methods or procedures. Implement design or process improvements. Develop technical methods or processes.

	Develop or integrate control feature requirements. Determine design criteria or specifications.

	Develop specifications for vehicles powered by alternative fuels or alternative power methods. Determine design criteria or specifications.

	Build models for algorithm or control feature verification testing. Create models of engineering designs or methods.

	Design vehicles for increased recyclability or use of natural, renewable, or recycled materials in vehicle construction. Design energy-efficient vehicles or vehicle components.

	Research computerized automotive applications, such as telemetrics, intelligent transportation systems, artificial intelligence, or automatic control. Research advanced engineering designs or applications.

Work Activities

Importance	Work Activity

Interacting With Computers — Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Analyzing Data or Information — Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.

Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Processing Information — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

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.

Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

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.

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.

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

Documenting/Recording Information — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

Developing and Building Teams — Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.

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.

Communicating with Persons Outside 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.

Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others — Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.

Scheduling Work and Activities — Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.

Developing Objectives and Strategies — Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.

Provide Consultation and Advice to Others — Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.

Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others — Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.

Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People — Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.

Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

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.

Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others — Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.

Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material — Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

Training and Teaching Others — Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.

Monitoring and Controlling Resources — Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.

Selling or Influencing Others — Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.

Performing Administrative Activities — Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.

Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment — Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.

Staffing Organizational Units — Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization.

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.

Controlling Machines and Processes — Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).

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.

Assisting and Caring for Others — Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.

Nature of the Work


	(Abstract from Career Articles)

	Mechanical Engineers
	Mechanical engineering is one of the broadest engineering disciplines. Mechanical engineers design, develop, build, and test mechanical and thermal sensors and devices, including tools, engines, and machines.

	Read More >>

Working Conditions


	(Abstract from Career Articles)

	Mechanical Engineers
	Mechanical engineers generally work in offices. They may occasionally visit worksites where a problem or piece of equipment needs their personal attention. Mechanical engineers work mostly in engineering services, research and development, and manufacturing.

	Read More >>

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Interesting Fact

Cuba Gooding Jr.'s first job was as a backup dancer for Lionel Richie at the Los Angeles Olympics in 1984.

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