Hiring an Automotive Engineer: Job Description, Pay, and More

Whether you’re a hiring manager for a car company, a parts supplier, or some other manufacturer, hiring automotive engineers is critical to your company’s success. Automotive engineers (sometimes called automobile engineers) design, build, and test vehicles like cars, trucks, and motorcycles. They also might work specifically on vehicle parts like the engine or transmission.

This blog post will guide you through the entire process of hiring an automotive engineer, from crafting the perfect job description to putting together a compensation package.

What Does an Automotive Engineer Do?

Automotive engineers oversee the entire vehicle production process, from initial research to final testing. Engineers in this field often specialize in areas like engine systems, structural design, or vehicle dynamics.

While automotive engineering is typically a subset of mechanical engineering, specific automotive engineers might have a background in electrical engineering or software engineering.

This is just a general look at what these automotive professionals do. To hire an automotive engineer, you first must write a job description. And that starts with nailing down the exact job responsibilities and candidate qualifications.

---

---

How To Write an Automotive Engineer Job Description

A good job description will help you clarify the role and responsibilities associated with the position. It will also attract the right candidates for the job.

Here’s a quick look at what to include in your automotive engineer job description:

Automotive Engineer Job Duties

What does a day in the life look like? What needs to be done on a weekly, monthly, or quarterly basis? Answering these questions will guide you to write a clear and concise automotive engineer job description.

Typical responsibilities might include:

• Researching new vehicle designs and conceptualizing viable prototypes
• Utilizing simulation tools and computational software to predict how vehicles or vehicle parts will perform under specific conditions
• Assessing environmental impact of production and use of vehicles or vehicle parts
• Testing for system failures

These are just some of the possible tasks of an automotive engineer.

Automotive Engineer Qualifications

Start by outlining the necessary qualifications for the role, such as any required education or experience. Typically this would include at least a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or a related field, but some roles might require a master’s degree. Depending on the job duties, candidates could also need their Professional Engineering (PE) license.

In addition to qualifications, an automotive engineer job description should list required and preferred skills.

Automotive Engineer Skills

Hiring an automotive engineer means looking for candidates with a mix of technical skills and practical experience, but don’t overlook the value of durable skills.

Key skills include:

• Proficiency in Computer-Aided Design (CAD) and Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM) software
• Knowledge of vehicle dynamics
• Knowledge of common manufacturing techniques and processes
• Quantitative thinking
• Communication

Automotive Engineer Compensation

Before hiring an automotive engineer, you need to establish a budget for overall compensation.

Start with a market analysis for base salary and then consider additional benefits for the job.

According to Salary.com, the median salary range for an aerospace engineer in 2024 is $123,846 to $146,173.

Keep in mind that total compensation also includes bonuses and benefits. Bonuses in this industry can vary greatly depending on each company and project, so it’s hard to provide a single estimate. In terms of benefits, most employers offer some or all of the following:

• health insurance
• dental insurance
• vision insurance
• paid time off
• 401(k)
• flexible schedule

Hire an Automotive Engineer with Insight Global

Are you ready to add a new engineer to your automotive team? Insight Global has more than 20 years of experience in hiring, and we find you pre-screened, qualified candidates in as little as 2 days. Fill out the form below, and one of our hiring partners will connect with you shortly.