Automotive engineer

Working as an automotive engineer, you'll use engineering principles and computer-based tools to design, test and develop new products, and in some cases improve or adapt existing vehicles and systems. You'll also identify and solve engineering problems to enhance performance, safety, efficiency and environmental sustainability.

You'll need strong technical skills alongside commercial awareness, as projects must often be delivered on time and within budget. As you gain experience, it's common to specialise in a particular area, such as vehicle dynamics, powertrain systems, electrification, software, testing or manufacturing processes.

Types of automotive engineering

Typically, you'll focus on one of three main areas:

• design - creating vehicle systems and components
• manufacture and maintenance - production, quality, reliability and in-service support
• research and development.

The UK is moving towards a future of zero-emission vehicles, with major changes expected by 2035. As a result, the automotive industry is adapting to new technologies and priorities, including electric and hybrid vehicles, connected and autonomous systems, software development and sustainability.

These changes are creating new challenges and career opportunities, making it an exciting and fast-evolving time to work as an automotive engineer.

Responsibilities

Your tasks will depend on your specialist area of work, but you'll typically need to:

• use computer-aided design (CAD) and simulation software to develop ideas and produce detailed designs
• select appropriate materials and components, balancing performance, cost, safety and sustainability
• solve engineering problems using mechanical, electrical, electronic and software-based principles
• build virtual and physical prototypes and test their performance, durability and safety
• take into consideration customer needs, safety standards and environmental regulations, including emissions targets, when developing new designs and manufacturing processes
• prepare technical reports, design specifications, costings and project timelines
• work closely with manufacturing, software, testing and quality teams to support vehicle development and production
• investigate design faults, system failures or performance issues, using testing data and diagnostics
• liaise with suppliers, manufacturers and external partners, supporting procurement and supply chain decisions
• manage or contribute to engineering projects, including budgets, schedules, resources and quality control
• inspect, test and evaluate vehicles or vehicle systems, which may include road testing, simulations or lab-based testing.

Salary

• Starting salaries for automotive engineering graduates typically range from £25,000 to £35,000.
• With experience, you can expect to earn £35,000 to £50,000, depending on your employer, role, level of responsibility and whether you've gained professional registration or chartered status.
• Salaries can rise to £60,000 or more in senior, specialist or management roles, particularly in areas such as electrification, systems engineering, software or project leadership.

Benefits can include performance bonuses, pension plans, health insurance, and discounted vehicle purchase schemes.

Income figures are intended as a guide only.

Working hours

You'll usually work standard full-time hours in this role, often around 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, although extra hours may be required at busy times or to meet project deadlines. Some roles involve shift work, including evenings and weekends, particularly in manufacturing, testing or maintenance environments. Positions within the motorsport industry may require regular weekend and out-of-hours working to support events and tight deadlines.

Some employers offer flexible or hybrid working arrangements, especially in design, software or research-based positions. Once you've built up significant experience, you may be able to move into contract work or consultancy and have greater control over your working hours.

If you take a career break, it's important to keep your technical knowledge and skills up to date, as automotive engineering is a fast-moving and continually evolving industry.

What to expect

• Work is usually carried out in an office, research or testing facility, or manufacturing environment. Depending on your role, you might spend most of your time working at a computer using design, simulation or data tools, or split your time between the office, laboratory and workshop. Some roles may offer hybrid working, particularly in design, software or research-based positions.
• Women and some other groups are currently under-represented in automotive engineering. A range of initiatives and networks aim to improve diversity and inclusion in the industry, including the Women's Engineering Society (WES) and WISE, which offer support, mentoring and resources.
• Jobs are available across the UK in research and design, manufacturing and specialist service providers. Key clusters exist in areas such as the West Midlands, Oxfordshire and the South East, with many motorsport and advanced engineering companies based in these regions.
• You may need to travel between sites, for example to visit factories, suppliers or testing facilities, or to support vehicle trials. Opportunities for overseas travel may be available, particularly with large manufacturers, global suppliers or motorsport organisations.

Qualifications

An engineering degree is usually needed to become an automotive engineer. Relevant subjects include:

• automotive engineering
• mechanical engineering
• mechatronic engineering
• electrical/electronic engineering
• systems, manufacturing or motorsport engineering.

Some undergraduate engineering courses include an additional year of study at Masters level to allow you develop your skills further. On successful completion of the course, you will be awarded an integrated Masters degree (MEng). Many BEng courses also offer the option to progress to an Meng, usually in your second or third year of study.

Although a postgraduate qualification isn't essential, it can be useful, particularly if it provides specialist training in areas such as electric vehicles, motorsport, software, systems engineering or sustainability.

It’s helpful if your degree is accredited by a relevant professional body, such as the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) and/or the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), as this can support your progress towards Incorporated Engineer (IEng) or Chartered Engineer (CEng) status later in your career.

Alternatively, you can enter the profession through a degree apprenticeship, which combines paid work with part-time study towards an engineering degree. These are sometimes offered by automotive manufacturers, suppliers and engineering companies, and allow you to gain practical experience while studying.

If you have an engineering foundation degree or Higher National Diploma (HND), you may be able to start in a technician-level role. Further qualifications and experience are usually needed to progress to engineer level, and some employers will support you with additional study or training.

Student or professional membership of organisations such as IMechE or the IET can also be valuable, offering networking opportunities, careers guidance, learning resources and discounted training.

Skills

You'll need to have:

• technical creativity and an interest in automotive engineering, vehicle systems and design
• a high level of numeracy and technical competence, with an understanding of digital design, simulation and manufacturing tools
• a proactive approach to problem solving and continuous improvement
• an eye for detail and a focus on quality and safety
• the ability to analyse and interpret engineering data and test results
• effective written, verbal and presentation skills, including the ability to explain technical information to non-specialists
• the ability to work effectively as part of multidisciplinary teams as well as independently, and to take responsibility
• good time-management and organisational skills to ensure projects and development work stay on schedule
• strong digital and IT skills, including CAD, simulation software and data analysis tools, as well as familiarity with collaboration and project management platforms
• the ability to work within cost, quality and sustainability constraints
• a commitment to keeping technical knowledge and skills up to date in a fast-moving industry
• commercial awareness and an understanding of the wider automotive and mobility sector.

Work experience

It's important to gain experience through a work placement, internship, industrial placement or year in industry, and this may form part of your degree. Many large automotive manufacturers, engineering consultancies and suppliers offer structured placement schemes, including summer internships and year-long placements. Check employer websites, vacancy platforms or your university careers service for details.

You can also build experience by getting involved in student competitions, projects or extracurricular activities, such as Formula Student, eco-vehicle challenges or engineering design projects, as well as through volunteering or part-time technical roles. If you're interested in motorsport, opportunities such as volunteering at events or with racing teams can be particularly valuable.

Joining your university’s engineering or motorsport society can also help you develop technical, teamwork and leadership skills, while building contacts within the engineering community.

Find out more about the different kinds of work experience and internships that are available.

Employers

Typical employers of automotive engineers include:

• car, commercial vehicle and motorcycle manufacturers, including electric and hybrid vehicle producers
• companies serving specialist or niche markets, such as sports, luxury and low-emission vehicles, as well as public transport and specialist fleets
• engineering design consultancies, research organisations and testing and certification laboratories
• automotive component and systems suppliers, including those specialising in batteries, power electronics, sensors and software
• tyre, safety systems and vehicle technology manufacturers, including advanced driver assistance and connectivity providers
• energy, fuel and mobility companies, including those working on alternative fuels, charging infrastructure and energy management
• motorsport teams, vehicle development specialists and engineering consultancies, supporting both competition and road vehicle innovation.

Look for job vacancies at:

• The Engineer Jobs
• E&T Jobs
• Fish4Jobs - Engineering
• IMI Auto Jobs
• JustEngineers

Specialist STEM recruitment agencies such as Matchtech handle vacancies, particularly for contract work.

Professional development

Many large employers offer structured graduate training schemes, which may include rotations across different teams or departments and allow you to develop a broad skill set before specialising. Other employers provide on-the-job training, supported by short courses, mentoring or external training programmes.

As you progress in your career, it's likely you'll work towards gaining Incorporated Engineer (IEng) or Chartered Engineer (CEng) status. These are internationally recognised professional qualifications awarded by the Engineering Council and can enhance your career prospects, professional credibility and earning potential.

To apply for professional registration, you'll need to be a member of a relevant professional body, such as the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) or the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), who will support you through the application process.

The process of becoming incorporated or chartered is usually more straightforward if you have an accredited first degree or Masters qualification. You'll also need to demonstrate professional competence, including technical ability, responsibility and ethical practice, gained through your work experience.

Throughout your career, it's important to keep your skills and knowledge up to date, particularly as technology, software and vehicle systems continue to evolve. Professional bodies such as IMechE and the IET offer access to lectures, webinars, conferences and industry networks, while reading specialist engineering and automotive publications can help you stay informed about the latest developments.

Career prospects

As an automotive engineer, you'll be able to choose from a range of career pathways. With experience, you may progress into senior or supervisory engineering roles, or move into project management, technical leadership, consultancy or general management.

If you gain Incorporated Engineer (IEng) status, you're likely to focus on the day-to-day management and delivery of engineering operations. As a Chartered Engineer (CEng), you may take on a more strategic role, leading projects, researching and developing new technologies, and contributing to high-level technical and business decisions.

You could also move into related or specialist areas, such as sustainable transport, environmental or systems engineering, vehicle testing, software or data-focused roles. Engineers with strong technical communication or creative skills may move into technical design, product development, user experience or digital engineering roles. Teaching or lecturing at colleges or universities is an option if you have a Masters degree or PhD, and some engineers move into technical sales, business development or automotive marketing roles.

Once you've built up several years' experience, you may choose to work as a contractor or consultant, moving between short-term projects. This can offer greater flexibility, variety and higher earning potential, as well as opportunities to work internationally. However, contract work often lacks the job security and benefits associated with permanent roles.