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.
Interests
- Realistic
- Investigative
- Conventional
Work Values
- Achievement
- Working Conditions
- Recognition
Work Styles
- Integrity
- Analytical Thinking
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Initiative
Tasks
- Conduct or direct system-level automotive testing.
- Provide technical direction to other engineers or engineering support personnel.
- Perform failure, variation, or root cause analyses.
- Calibrate vehicle systems, including control algorithms or other software systems.
- Design or analyze automobile systems in areas such as aerodynamics, alternate fuels, ergonomics, hybrid power, brakes, transmissions, steering, calibration, safety, or diagnostics.
Work Activities
- Working with Computers
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Analyzing Data or Information
- Getting Information
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
Detailed Work Activities
- Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
- Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
- Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
- Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
- Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
- Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
- Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
- Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
- Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
- Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
Technology Skills
- Analytical or scientific software
- Presentation software
- Computer aided design CAD software
- Development environment software
- Object or component oriented development software
Abilities
- Deductive Reasoning
- Inductive Reasoning
- Oral Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Problem Sensitivity
Skills
- Complex Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Mathematics
Knowledge
- Engineering and Technology
- Physics
- Mathematics
- Mechanical
- Design
Most Common Education Level
The “Most Common Education Level” refers to the level of education held by the majority of workers in a given occupation. For example, if the highest percentage of workers in a role have an Associate’s Degree, that suggests this is the typical educational requirement. Knowing this helps you plan how many years of education you may need to pursue that career.
Certificates
Certificate name
Principles and Practice of Engineering - Control SystemsCertifying Organization
National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying
Type
Advanced
Certificate name
Pre-Engineering CertificationCertifying Organization
Robotics Education and Competition Foundation
Type
Skill
Certificate name
Master Installation TechnicianCertifying Organization
Consumer Technology Association
Type
Advanced
Income Percentile
The income percentiles show how earnings are distributed within a profession. The 10th percentile means that 10% of workers earned less than that amount. The median (50th percentile) indicates that half of workers earned more, and half earned less. The 90th percentile reflects what the top 10% of earners in the field make.
| Income Percentile | Annual Income |
|---|---|
| Low (10%) | $65,830 |
| Median (50%) | $95,548 |
| High (90%) | $134,926 |
Income by Experience
This table shows how income typically grows with experience—from entry level (0–2 years), to mid-level (3–5 years), to senior level (6–8 years), to expert level (8+ years).
| Experience | Income |
|---|---|
Entry Level  | N/A |
| Mid Level | N/A |
| Senior Level | N/A |
| Expert Level | N/A |
Employability
There are currently 291,900 jobs in this career path. Over the next 10 years, that number is expected to increase to 323,900 positions, reflecting a projected growth of 11%.
The Projected Job Growth figure refers to the expected increase or decrease in employment within a specific career field over a certain period of time.
Projected Job Growth of 11%
Related Careers
The career information and data on this site incorporates information from O*NET Web Services, Lightcast, CareerOneStop, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). For more details regarding the data sources and the specific information sourced, click here.
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