Occupation

Automotive Engineering Technicians

Human Advantage 67%

Significant human skills needed

AI Automation Risk Moderate Risk
3.5 / 10

Some tasks in this role may be augmented by AI, but human oversight and interpersonal skills remain important.

Assist engineers in determining the practicality of proposed product design changes and plan and carry out tests on experimental test devices or equipment for performance, durability, or efficiency.

Also Known As: Automotive Design Checker (Auto Design Checker), Automotive Engineering Technician, Automotive Technician (Auto Technician), Automotive Test Technician (Auto Test Technician), Durability Technician, Laboratory Technician (Lab Technician), Performance Technician, Research Technician +1 more

Video

Core Tasks

  1. Document test results, using cameras, spreadsheets, documents, or other tools.
  2. Set up mechanical, hydraulic, or electric test equipment in accordance with engineering specifications, standards, or test procedures.
  3. Read and interpret blueprints, schematics, work specifications, drawings, or charts.
  4. Inspect or test parts to determine nature or cause of defects or malfunctions.
  5. Monitor computer-controlled test equipment, according to written or verbal instructions.
  6. Analyze test data for automotive systems, subsystems, or component parts.
  7. Install equipment, such as instrumentation, test equipment, engines, or aftermarket products, to ensure proper interfaces.
  8. Perform or execute manual or automated tests of automotive system or component performance, efficiency, or durability.
  9. Maintain test equipment in operational condition by performing routine maintenance or making minor repairs or adjustments as needed.
  10. Analyze performance of vehicles or components that have been redesigned to increase fuel efficiency, such as camless or dual-clutch engines or alternative types of air-conditioning systems.
  11. Improve fuel efficiency by testing vehicles or components that use lighter materials, such as aluminum, magnesium alloy, or plastic.
  12. Fabricate new or modify existing prototype components or fixtures.
  13. Order new test equipment, supplies, or replacement parts.
  14. Recommend product or component design improvements, based on test data or observations.
  15. Recommend tests or testing conditions in accordance with designs, customer requirements, or industry standards to ensure test validity.
  16. Test performance of vehicles that use alternative fuels, such as alcohol blends, natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas, biodiesel, nano diesel, or alternative power methods, such as solar energy or hydrogen fuel cells.
  17. Participate in research or testing of computerized automotive applications, such as telemetrics, intelligent transportation systems, artificial intelligence, or automatic control.
  18. Build instrumentation or laboratory test equipment for special purposes.

Education & Training

Job Zone 3 Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Education: Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Experience: Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
On-the-Job Training: Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.

Education Level Distribution

Percentage of workers in this occupation with each education level.

Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
37%
Bachelor's Degree
30%
Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)
15%
Master's Degree
11%
High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
4%
Some College Courses
4%

Technology & Tools

Hot Technologies

  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft Word
  • SAP software

Software (13)

  • A&D Technology iTest
  • Autodesk AutoCAD Mechanical
  • Autodesk Inventor
  • Computer aided design CAD software
  • Computer aided manufacturing CAM software
  • Data acquisition software
  • IBM Notes
  • National Instruments LabVIEW
  • PTC Creo Parametric

Tools & Equipment (25)

  • Calipers
  • Chassis dynamometers
  • Compression testers
  • Computer numerical controlled CNC milling machines
  • Computerized numerical control CNC turning centers
  • Crack detection equipment
  • Electronic engine analyzers
  • Engine lathes
  • Environmental chambers
  • Exhaust gas analyzers
  • Flow benches
  • Force gauges
  • Frequency counters
  • Function generators
  • High-vacuum tensile testing chambers
  • Ignition oscilloscopes
  • Leakage testers
  • Metal inert gas MIG welders
  • Multimeters
  • Oscilloscopes
  • Pin gauges
  • Plasma cutters
  • Timing lights
  • Tungsten inert gas TIG welding equipment
  • Vibration testers

Where This Career Leads

Career progression organized by specialty track and experience level.

Production & Automation Advanced Manufacturing

Zone 1
Zone 3
Automotive Engineering Technicians You are here
Zone 5

Industrial Machinery Advanced Manufacturing

Zone 3
Automotive Engineering Technicians You are here

Maintenance & Repair Advanced Manufacturing

Zone 3
Automotive Engineering Technicians You are here

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