Automotive Engineer

Engineers in vehicle technology design commercial and passenger vehicles, plan and monitor their production. If a new vehicle is developed, they create a concept and coordinate it with the client. Then all components of the vehicle are planned in detail. Safety and ease of maintenance are also very important. Engineers in vehicle technology also take on quality assurance and testing tasks. They assume leading positions in the production, assembly and maintenance of vehicles and take care of the organization and optimization of operational processes. They ensure the operational readiness and the rational use of the technical equipment. They take economic aspects into account in both the design and the manufacture. Technical sales, customer service and appraisal activities can be other professional fields of application.

Engineers for vehicle technology find employment e.g.

• in companies in vehicle construction and the supply industry
• at manufacturers of agricultural and forestry machines
• in engineering offices for technical planning
• in technical surveillance associations
• in research and development facilities

The salary level for Automotive Engineer in Germany is: from 4604 up to 5819 EUR per month

Why is?

Engineers in vehicle technology develop and design road and rail vehicles for passenger and freight transport, control and monitor manufacturing processes. In addition, they take Tasks in customer service or in the sale of vehicles or vehicle components.

Development and construction

Engineers in vehicle technology design vehicles, taking into account aspects such as safety, durability and ease of maintenance. The cost-effectiveness of production is the focus of the considerations. In order to meet the requirements of the market, they work together with the marketing department and designers.

Engineers in vehicle technology mainly work on bodywork and engine technology tasks. The type of drive, engine power and fuel consumption are just as important as the use of electronic controls and the associated diagnostic software. When developing service concepts and looking after contract workshops, they record damage and its frequency. They check whether something has to be changed in the design or manufacture of the vehicles or whether a recall campaign has to be started.

Production, test runs and control

They work with computer-aided methods in the entire production area, from development, calculation and design to production and assembly. During development and design, they process the product completely in a three-dimensional representation in the CAD system, so that they can make the generated data available within the process chain, for example in the areas of calculation and production planning, for further processing. They then calculate the designed parts and systems to check whether they would work in practice. Simulation calculations take up a broad field. The solutions designed on the screen, e.g. Whole vehicles or aggregates are tested in practice. Engineers in vehicle technology carry out appropriate measurements and evaluate them. If necessary, they also create prototypes using additive manufacturing processes (3D printing). For the - possibly digitally networked - production, they plan processes and material flow, transport systems, tools and devices as well as measuring and testing equipment. Quality assurance and product testing are also part of their job. If you are involved in validation, you will evaluate test results, measurement data and test strategies for testing e.g. of new chassis components and accessories, show the effects of schedule, standard and quality deviations and, if necessary, initiate appropriate countermeasures.

Operational safety and reliability as well as vehicle comfort also play an important role in rail vehicles. For example, in the case of a railway wagon, in addition to the construction material, the clutches and brakes, questions relating to the sanitary and electrical engineering as well as the interior, thermal and acoustic insulation and air conditioning must be clarified.

Other uses

In the development, design and manufacture of road and rail vehicles or vehicle assemblies, such as a gasoline injection or anti-lock braking system, the engineers are usually in a managerial position. Other possible areas of activity include technical sales, maintenance and customer service. In addition, engineers can e.g. Conducting examinations, preparing expert reports or working as consulting engineers.