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Automotive engineer

Design, test and develop the cars and motor vehicles of the future.

Also known as: vehicle engineer, car designer

About skillsGetting in

About the job

Salary

Source: National Careers Service

Weekly

£500

Entry level

£923

Experienced

Monthly

£2,167

Entry level

£4,000

Experienced

Yearly

£26,000

Entry level

£48,000

Experienced

9,600

people are currently employed

High growth

200 more jobs in 5 years

These figures refer to this job and similar ones with comparable skills and qualifications. They only apply to Scotland. Source: Oxford Economics

What it's like

You would design, test and build the cars of the future to make them more reliable, fuel-efficient and stylish.

You could work on a variety of vehicles including domestic cars, racing cars, motorbikes and coaches, buses, trucks and tractors.

You'd make the vehicle more cost-effective and reduce its impact on the environment. You'd make it safer for drivers and passengers and come up with exciting new designs for the way it looks.

You might work on:

  • Body, chassis and engine systems

  • Electrical and electronic instruments and control systems

  • Thermodynamics, aerodynamics and fluid mechanics

  • Fuel technology and emissions

There are several stages to the motor manufacturing process.

If you focused on design you would do research and use computer-aided design (CAD) software to produce detailed plans for vehicles.

In the development stage you would:

  • Build prototypes

  • Test prototypes and models

  • Use computer simulations and physical models to assess the components' performance and safety

If you worked in production you would

  • Redesign machine tools, equipment and processes to make new parts

  • Check the costs

  • Keep track of the production schedules

  • Control the quality of the products

As a senior engineer, you would manage projects, supervise technical teams, write reports and negotiate with clients.

Hours

You would normally work 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, but as a production engineer, you may have to work shifts.

Environment

You could be based in an office, at a research facility or at a manufacturing plant.

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Related industries

Many jobs can be done in lots of different industries. We've highlighted the ones we think are most important for this job.

  • Engineering and manufacturing
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Top skills

Skills are things you're good at. Whether you know what yours are or not, everyone has them!

It's useful to learn which ones are important in a job so you know the areas you need to brush up on. It can also help you work out if you're suited to a career.

Here are some of the skills you'll need to do this job:

  • analysing
  • making decisions
  • managing resources
  • researching
  • working with numbers
  • problem solving
  • resourceful
  • designing
  • working with technology
  • cooperating

Your skills are important

Our unique skillsets are what make us stand out from the crowd. Learn about each skill in depth and discover what employers look for in your applications and interviews.

Discover skills

Getting in

Explore the sections shown for more information about getting into this career.

You might have qualifications which are not shown here but will allow you access to a course. You can compare your qualifications by looking at their SCQF Level. For more information about this, check out the SCQF website.

Always contact the college, university or training provider to check exactly what you'll need.

Colleges and universities will list subjects you'll need for entry to a course. Some useful subjects include:

  • Design and Manufacture

  • Engineering Science

  • Mathematics

  • Mathematics of Mechanics

  • Physics

  • Practical Metalwork

  • Skills for Work: Automotive Skills

  • Foundation Apprenticeship: Engineering

  • Skills for Work: Practical Experiences: Construction and Engineering

  • Applications of Mathematics

  • Foundation Apprenticeship: Automotive

You can get a head start in this career by doing a Foundation Apprenticeship in S5 and S6.

You'll get an SCQF level 6 qualification which is the same level as a Higher. You'll also learn new skills and gain valuable experience in a work environment.

Discover what's on offer at your school on  Apprenticeships.scot.

A Higher National Certificate (SCQF level 7), Higher National Diploma (SCQF level 8), degree (SCQF level 9/10) or postgraduate qualification (SCQF level 11) preferably in: 

  • Mechanical, Electronic or Electrical engineering

  • Manufacturing engineering

  • Design engineering

  • Automotive engineering.

 There are currently no Automotive Engineering degree courses in Scotland, however several UK universities offer these courses.

You can enter Mechanical Engineering Higher National Certificate (SCQF level 7) or Higher National Diploma courses (SCQF level 8) with National 4/5 qualifications and one to two Highers, this can supports entry to a Mechanical Engineering degree.

Entry to an Mechanical, Electronic or electrical , Manufacturing, design or automotive engineering degree (SCQF level 9/10) requires National 5 qualifications, Highers at BBBB or above with Advanced Highers preferred.

To enter a postgraduate qualification (SCQF level 11) you require a relevant degree.

Alternatively relevant work-based experience and qualifications such as a Scottish Vocational Qualification in Automotive Manufacturing (SVQ Level 3) may allow you to qualify for this job.

Qualifications and experience that show understanding of the industry such as Skills for Work Engineering Skills (SCQF level 5) could also be useful.

Employers value work experience so finding courses with work placements or an internship, or working for a year in industry can be especially useful.

It could benefit your career if you worked towards incorporated or chartered status. To do this, you would register with your relevant industry body and apply to the Engineering Council.

You could also improve your career prospects through continuing professional development (CPD). The Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) offers CPD courses that allow you to develop the specific skills and knowledge required by the automotive industry.

Once in the job you normally start out on a structured company training scheme, which could last between one and two years.

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