Automotive engineer

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• an apprenticeship

University

You could do a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree, before joining a company graduate training scheme.

Relevant subjects include:

• mechanical engineering
• electrical or electronic engineering
• design engineering
• manufacturing engineering
• automotive engineering

A course with a work placement or an internship will be especially useful.

Some car manufacturing companies offer undergraduate year in industry placements that give you the chance to develop industry skills and earn a salary.

Entry requirements:

• at least 1 A level, or equivalent, for a foundation degree
• between 1 and 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a higher national diploma or degree

Entry requirements:

Apprenticeship

You could do a degree apprenticeship and combine learning in the workplace with doing an engineering degree at an approved university.

Relevant degree apprenticeships include:

• Manufacturing engineer
• Product design and development engineer

If you already have a degree in a science, technology, engineering or maths (STEM) subject, you may be able to do a Level 7 postgraduate engineer apprenticeship.

Applications with automotive engineering companies are competitive and usually open at set times of the year.

Check company websites regularly for application deadline information.

Entry requirements:

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a degree apprenticeship

Required Skills:

Digital skills : to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Skills:

• maths knowledge
• knowledge of engineering science and technology
• design skills and knowledge
• knowledge of physics
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• analytical thinking skills
• the ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools
• thinking and reasoning skills
• the ability to read English
• excellent verbal communication skills
• the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
• complex problem-solving skills
• the ability to use your judgement and make decisions
• knowledge of English language
• the ability to use your initiative
• the ability to work well with others
• to be flexible and open to change
• the ability to learn through your work
• concentration skills
• a good memory

What you'll do:

Automotive engineers design, develop, test and build cars and motorbikes.

You might work in design, development or production on:

• body, chassis and engine systems
• electrical and electronic instrumentation and control systems
• thermodynamics, aerodynamics and fluid mechanics
• fuel technology and emissions

You could:

• turn design ideas into blueprints
• research the safety, cost and environmental impact of designs
• move designs into development by building prototypes
• test products using computer simulations and physical models
• assess components' strengths, weaknesses, performance and safety
• plan the production run
• redesign machine tools, equipment and processes to make new parts
• monitor costs and production schedules
• oversee quality control

Location : You could work in an office, at a research facility or at a manufacturing plant.

Salary:

Starter : £20,000
Experienced : £45,000

These figures are a guide

Working hours:

39 - 41 hours a week

Working Pattern is evenings on shifts

Career Path:

With experience, you could progress to senior engineer roles, project team management, general management, automotive insurance damage assessment or consultancy.