Automotive engineer

Automotive engineers design, test and build cars, vans, lorries, buses and motorbikes.

In this guide

What you'll do

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 and progression

With experience, you could move into:

  • lead engineer roles
  • project team management
  • safety and legal compliance
  • crash investigation
  • consultancy work
  • motorsport

What it takes

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
  • to have a thorough understanding of computer systems and applications

Most relevant

  • Mathematics - Automotive engineers use maths constantly – from calculating engine performance and stress loads on components to analysing aerodynamics and fluid mechanics. They also rely on mathematical modelling when running simulations to test how a new design will perform before building a physical prototype.
  • Physics - Automotive engineers apply physics principles like thermodynamics, aerodynamics, and mechanics to design vehicles that are safe, efficient, and perform well. Understanding forces, energy transfer, and material properties is essential when working on everything from engine systems to crash safety.
  • Engineering - Automotive engineers work at the heart of engineering – designing, testing, and manufacturing complex mechanical and electrical systems. They use engineering processes to develop new vehicle concepts, improve production methods, and solve problems across body, chassis, and powertrain systems.
  • Design and Technology - Automotive engineers develop new vehicle concepts from initial sketches through to physical prototypes and production-ready designs. Understanding materials, manufacturing processes, and the design cycle helps them create components that are practical to produce and fit for purpose.
  • Computer Science - Automotive engineers use simulations, virtual reality, and computational modelling to test designs before they are built. With the rise of semi-autonomous vehicles, connectivity systems, and digital manufacturing like 3D printing, understanding software and how digital systems work is increasingly central to the role.

Also relevant

  • Chemistry - Automotive engineers research zero-emission fuel technologies, battery chemistry for electric vehicles, and alternative fuels. Understanding chemical reactions and material properties helps when selecting materials and developing cleaner, more sustainable powertrains.
  • Electronics - Automotive engineers work with electrical and electronic instrumentation and control systems built into modern vehicles. Understanding circuits, sensors, and electronic components is important when designing systems like driver-assist technology, in-car displays, and electric vehicle charging.
  • Environmental Science - Automotive engineers research the environmental impact of different vehicle designs and work on reducing emissions. Understanding sustainability, pollution, and resource use helps them develop greener technologies like electric vehicles and alternative fuels.
  • Business - Automotive engineers monitor costs and production schedules, and may progress into project management or consultancy roles. Understanding how businesses operate, manage budgets, and bring products to market helps them make decisions that are commercially viable as well as technically sound.

How to become

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • an apprenticeship

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

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

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:

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