Employers

More than 392,000 engineering technicians and technologists are employed in the United States, and the automotive industry is a significant employer of these workers. Automotive engineering technicians work for automobile makers such as Stellantis, Ford Motor Company, and General Motors, foreign automakers, such as BMW, Honda, Hyundai, Mercedes-Benz, Toyota, and Volkswagen; the battery electrical vehicle (BEV) automobile makers Tesla Inc. and Rivian; and any of the thousands of private manufacturing companies for components parts of an automobiles.

The growth of hybrid and battery electric vehicles has spurred greater job opportunities for engineering technicians with experience in green technologies and product safety. There will be continued need for engineering technicians to help design and test electrical engineering systems.

Starting Out

Automotive engineering technicians often get their start through apprenticeship and internship programs and on-the-job training while in school. Career services counselors can help students research and find job openings. Attending industry-related conferences, networking events, and trade shows also offers good opportunities to speak with people in the field and learn more about employment prospects.

Automotive engineering technicians with years of experience may advance to more senior roles in which they are responsible for managing staff. They may expand their knowledge of automotive technology and computer software programs through continuing education courses. As their skills and knowledge on the job improves, they may be assigned more complex projects that require more independent work. Some may become managers of entire projects or teams. Some technicians may decide to become automotive engineers and go back to school to pursue the required degrees and training.

Automotive engineering technicians with advanced training in robotics and in using advanced manufacturing instruments controlled by software will enjoy greater opportunities for advancement into skilled manufacturing positions in the automotive industry.

Learn more about the engineering field and industry trends by reading Manufacturing Engineering (https://www.advancedmanufacturing.org/manufacturing-engineering), Smart Manufacturing (https://www.advancedmanufacturing.org/smart-manufacturing), and Mechanical Engineering (https://www.asme.org/membership/mechanical-engineering-magazine).

Attend automotive engineering trade shows and conferences to learn from and network with people in the industry.

Volunteer or intern at an auto manufacturer or an engineering services firm to gain experience while in school.

Take math, science, and computer classes to get a good foundation for future technician work.