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Automotive engineer
Automotive engineers design, test and build cars, vans, lorries, buses and motorbikes.
Average salary (a year)
£26000
Starter
£48000
Experienced
Typical hours (a week)
38.0 to 42.0 hours
a week
Work Hours
evenings
on shifts
How to become
Explore the different ways to get into this role
You can get into this job through:a university course; an apprenticeship
University
You could do a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in automotive engineering.
Employers will often accept related subjects, such as
manufacturing engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical or electronic engineering, design engineering, software engineering, sustainable automotive engineering
Many universities offer courses that combine a degree with a postgraduate master's engineering (MEng) qualification.
Choosing a course that includes an internship or industry placement can give you an advantage when looking for jobs. It can also help if you want to join a company's graduate training scheme.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
  • 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
  • 2 or 3 A levels, or equivalent, including maths and a science for a degree
More Information
equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
student finance for fees and living costs|https://www.gov.uk/student-finance
university courses and entry requirements|https://www.ucas.com/
Apprenticeship
You could apply for a place on a degree apprenticeship scheme, with a vehicle manufacturer, for example
Manufacturing Engineer Level 6, Product Design and Development Engineer Level 6
These take around 4 to 5 years to complete and combine on-the-job training with university study.
If you already have a degree in a science, technology, engineering or maths (STEM) subject, you may be able to do a Postgraduate Engineer Level 7 Apprenticeship with an automotive employer.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a degree apprenticeship
  • a degree in a relevant subject
More Information
equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide
More Information
Career Tips
Keeping up to date with developments in vehicle technology and manufacture could help you with applications and interviews. Trends include
the shift to electric vehicles, and research into alternative fuels, digital design and manufacturing of parts by 3D printing, research into semi-autonomous and self-driving vehicles, connectivity within and between vehicles, and traffic management systems
Further Information
You can find out more about careers in the automotive industry through:Society of Motor Industry Manufacturers, Your Future in Automotive, Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI)
What it takes
Find out what skills you’ll use in this role
Skills and knowledge
You'll need:
    Maths knowledge
    Knowledge of engineering science and technology
    Design skills and knowledge
    Knowledge of physics
    To be thorough and pay attention to detail
    Complex problem-solving skills
    The ability to use your initiative
    The ability to work well with others
Digital Skills Level
to have a thorough understanding of computer systems and applications
What you will do
Discover the day-to-day tasks you’ll do in this role
Day to day tasks
You might work in design, development or production on
body, chassis and engine systems, electrical and electronic instrumentation and controls, thermodynamics, aerodynamics and fluid mechanics, zero emission fuel technologies
You could
develop new exterior and interior design concepts, test ideas using simulations, virtual reality (VR) and physical models, research the environmental impact of different designs, modify machine tools and processes to improve production, assess components' strengths, weaknesses, performance and safety, monitor quality, costs and production schedules
Working environment
You could work in an office, at a research facility or at a manufacturing plant.
Career Path & Progression
Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities
With experience, you could move into
lead engineer roles, project team management, safety and legal compliance, crash investigation, consultancy work, motorsport
Job profile data provided by The National Careers Service.
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