What does an automotive engineer actually do?

Cars have always fascinated me, and I'm curious about a career in automotive engineering. I'd love to know what specific roles automotive engineers have and what kind of projects they might work on.

Automotive engineers indeed play a crucial role in the vehicle industry. They mainly focus on the design, development, and testing of vehicles and vehicle components from conception to production.

Automotive engineers often specialize in specific areas. Here are few examples:

1. Design engineers: They work on the aesthetics and functional design of vehicles. They optimize the vehicle for aerodynamics, fuel efficiency, and driver experience.

2. Development engineers: These engineers are tasked with taking prototypes to the next stage. This involves refining the initial design or addressing identified issues. They might improve the efficiency of a system, adjust a part for better durability, or troubleshoot a problem that has appeared in testing.

3. Quality Assurance engineers: They are responsible for testing the components and systems of the vehicle to ensure they function correctly, reliably, and safely. This involves rigorous testing using both computer simulations and physical testing methods, like crash tests.

4. Production engineers: Their role involves the actual production phase. They figure out how to transfer a vehicle design from the prototype stage to mass production. This includes determining cost-effective and efficient manufacturing processes.

In terms of projects, automotive engineers might be involved in developing a new model of a car, innovating a more fuel-efficient engine, designing new safety features, or even incorporating ‘smart’ technology and electrification in vehicles. They frequently work in teams, collaborating with other engineers, as well as with marketing, sales, and production staff.

Overall, a career in automotive engineering is quite dynamic and exciting, especially in these days of innovation and change in the automobile industry.