Automotive Engineers

• Conduct automotive design reviews.
• Develop engineering specifications or cost estimates for automotive design concepts.
• Provide technical direction to other engineers or engineering support personnel.
• Perform failure, variation, or root cause analyses.
• Establish production or quality control standards.
• Write, review, or maintain engineering documentation.
• Prepare or present technical or project status reports.
• Design vehicles that use lighter materials, such as aluminum, magnesium alloy, or plastic, to improve fuel efficiency.
• Design or analyze automobile systems in areas such as aerodynamics, alternate fuels, ergonomics, hybrid power, brakes, transmissions, steering, calibration, safety, or diagnostics.
• Coordinate production activities with other functional units, such as procurement, maintenance, or quality control.
• Alter or modify designs to obtain specified functional or operational performance.
• Conduct research studies to develop new concepts in the field of automotive engineering.
• Research or implement green automotive technologies involving alternative fuels, electric or hybrid cars, or lighter or more fuel-efficient vehicles.
• Create design alternatives for vehicle components, such as camless or dual-clutch engines or alternative air-conditioning systems, to increase fuel efficiency.
• Develop calibration methodologies, test methodologies, or tools.
• Read current literature, attend meetings or conferences, or talk with colleagues to stay abreast of new automotive technology or competitive products.
• Calibrate vehicle systems, including control algorithms or other software systems.
• Design control systems or algorithms for purposes such as automotive energy management, emissions management, or increased operational safety or performance.
• Develop or implement operating methods or procedures.
• Develop or integrate control feature requirements.
• Develop specifications for vehicles powered by alternative fuels or alternative power methods.
• Build models for algorithm or control feature verification testing.

Source: O*NET OnLine information for Automotive Engineers.

• Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
• Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
• Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
• Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
• Mathematics - Using mathematics to solve problems.
• Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
• Operations Analysis - Analyzing needs and product requirements to create a design.
• Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

Source: O*NET OnLine information for Automotive Engineers.