Occupation

Automotive engineer

Automotive engineers develop vehicles and vehicle systems, from body structures and suspensions to powertrains, batteries, and electronics. Development runs in cycles of design, build, instrumented testing, and revision against cost, weight, safety, and emissions targets.

Also known as: Vehicle engineer · Automotive design engineer

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Occupation content

Part of Engineering and technical design

A visual day in the work

What the work involves

  1. Design components and sub-systems in CAD and check packaging against surrounding parts.

  2. Analyse durability, crash, thermal, or noise and vibration behaviour using simulation.

  3. Instrument prototype vehicles or rigs and run test programmes, then reduce the data.

  4. Resolve issues raised in build trials with manufacturing, suppliers, and validation teams.

  5. Review supplier designs and agree interface, tolerance, and validation requirements.

  6. Record design decisions, test evidence, and engineering changes in the release system.

Entry-route stepper

How people commonly enter

  1. An accredited bachelor's degree in automotive, mechanical, or electrical engineering.

  2. A motorsport or vehicle engineering degree combined with placement or formula-student experience.

  3. An engineering technology diploma followed by a bridging route into the engineering stream.

  4. A manufacturer graduate scheme rotating through design, validation, and production engineering.

Typical training: Bachelor's degree

Licensing: Regulated in some jurisdictions. Confirm the current requirement with the regulator in your province, state, or country.

Work-context map

Typical work context

  • Team based
  • Lab or workshop
  • Desk based
  • Fast paced
  • Varied work

Team based · Lab or workshop · Desk based · Fast paced · Varied work

Related interests

  • Realistic (hands-on)
  • Investigative (analytical)

Realistic (hands-on) · Investigative (analytical)

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Skills to practise

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Related learning

Family-level learning links for Engineering and technical design.

Official sources

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Labour-market context (not part of exploration match)

This is broad family-level context for Engineering and technical design in Canada, not a figure for Automotive engineer. It does not affect matching scores and is not an eligibility determination.

This is a broad Engineering and technical design family. Explore the official profile for the chosen occupation; entry education and training can differ within the family.

Canada Job Bank Career Planning · Canada · Current official profile; consult source for its release period

Engineering and technical design: education pathways

Some roles in Engineering and technical design may be regulated. Confirm whether the specific role requires registration, certification, or a jurisdiction-specific licence.

Canada Job Bank Career Planning · Canada · Current official profile; consult source for its release period

Engineering and technical design: licensing

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