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Automotive and Vehicle Engineering

Resource Type: Engineering Discipline
Engineering Discipline: Mechanical Engineering

The field of automotive and vehicle engineering incorporates several different areas of expertise. Automotive and vehicle engineers develop the mechanics, computers, materials, and systems that are required in the design and manufacture of today’s vehicles. Whether the goal is to develop a streamlined train to reduce energy consumption, develop a new electric car that can go further on a single charge, improve the capacity of monorails at a theme park, or develop a safer school bus, teamwork among engineers is central to success.

Professionals focused specifically on automotive and vehicle engineering work with others focused on specific skills such as software, computer, mechanical, electrical, and safety to design and develop the vehicles we will use in the future. Aerospace engineers focus on a specific segment of vehicles and are discussed in detail in our aerospace engineering resources.

What makes it unique?

Vehicles are everywhere and engineers are continually working to improve them and develop technologies to make vehicles safer and more comfortable. They work to make ambulances and fire trucks better able to support a community, and redesign trains and cars to incorporate smart technology to meet the demands of travelers around the world.

Degree Connections

The following are examples of some accredited degrees leading to a career in automotive and vehicle engineering:

Search our global database of accredited engineering programs.

Want to learn more?

Click on the blue tabs to explore the field in more detail and learn about preparation and employment, the green tabs to be inspired by people working in vehicle engineering and how they impact the world, and the orange tabs for ideas on how to learn more and you can get involved with activities, camps, and competitions!

Explore

  • A Day in the Life

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    Vehicle engineers work in offices and also visit the locations where the vehicles they design will be used. They might spend some time evaluating the capacity of a fire truck, or review the requirements of a new monorail system to determine what customers will need. Monorail systems for example are used in theme parks where they transport people for short rides…but monorails are also used at airports where customers will be transporting luggage – so the design demands will change based on the application.

    Engineers might also spend time working with clients to determine what drawbacks a current vehicle design has – so they can propose and design improvements. Safely regulations, for example, might prompt a new design and engineers will spend time with regulators and customers to determine what proposed design would work best.

    Generally, engineers work a normal work schedule, but they may be called upon to put in more hours when a deadline is approaching or if an unexpected challenge needs a quick response from the team.

  • Historical Snapshot

    The Bullet Train:

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    The Shinkansen (Japanese: 新幹線), known as the bullet train, is a network of high-speed railway lines in Japan. The bullet trains are streamlined and designed to operate over the new rail lines developed by civil/transportation engineers. Over the Shinkansen’s 50-plus-year history, it has carried over 10 billion passengers.

    The prominent feature of the bullet train is how quickly it can travel, and it was this speed that revolutionized rail travel and shortened the time it takes to get from some cities to others. This high speed travel is not possible everywhere…for example on suburban train lines where there are frequent stops.

    While the rails impact the speed, the bullet train needed to be as aerodynamic as possible and have surfaces which would not create unnecessary friction. Just as airplanes are often tested in wind tunnels to make sure the design does not slow down the plane in flight, the bullet train was designed to make sure that at higher speeds, the wind would not restrict speed.

    And, bullet trains are up to sixteen cars long. With each car measuring 25 m (82 ft) in length, the longest trains are 400 m (1/4 mile) end to end. Unlike conventional trains that use wheels, the Shinkansen train uses superconducting magnetic levitation (maglev) to achieve these incredible speeds. As the train leaves the station, it rolls on wheels, but when it reaches higher speeds, the wheels retract, and the power of magnets allows the vehicle to hover four inches above the ground and propel the train forward.

    How fast do they go? In 1964, Shinkansen started at speeds of 210 kmph. In 1973, West Germany’s TR04 Maglev broke that record at 250 kmph. 1975 saw West Germany’s Komet Maglev achieve 401 kmph, with an acceleration boost driven by steam rockets.  In 1979, Japan’s ML-500R Maglev sped along at 504 kmph. And, in 2015, the Japanese LO Maglev hit a record 603 kmph. Likely this record will be broken as well!

    Find out more:

  • Industries and Employment

    Transportation Engineers work primarily in the transportation industry, working on automotive, aerospace, rail and subway system – anywhere people or materials need to be moved. These professionals are also employed by

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    governments looking to improve their transportation systems and research and development firms who seek to improve current vehicle technologies.

    The following is just a sample of some companies, in addition to government agencies, which employ vehicle engineers (note that aerospace engineers are described separately):

  • Preparation and Degrees

    For most engineering careers:

    • a bachelor’s degree is required
    • a master’s degree may be recommended for those specializing or interested in management
    • students may also start with a related associate degree and then move on to a bachelor’s when they have settled on a degree path.

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    • many students are required to participate in a co-op program while at university to gain real world experience in their chosen field.
    • education doesn’t really stop…engineers need to stay current as technology changes and materials and processes improve over time.
    • many professional societies offer certificates and coursework to support continuing education for their members.

    At the undergraduate level, some people working in this area earn an undergraduate degree in mechanical, computer, software, or electrical engineering, and then specialize in the vehicle area with a Master’s degree in automotive or vehicle engineering. It varies in different countries. There are also undergraduate degrees in automotive and vehicle engineering. These degrees would cover basic topics such as the operating principles of the mechanical, hydraulic, electrical, and electronic systems of automobiles, and specialty coursework on topics such as self-driving car controls, hybrid electric vehicles, battery systems, and microprocessor control systems.

    It is important to select an engineering degree that has been accredited to meet basic standards.  Find out more and browse TryEngineering’s global database of accredited engineering and computing programs.

Be Inspired

  • Amazing Engineers!

    One of the best ways to explore what it might be like to work in automotive and vehicle engineering is to learn about people currently working in the field.

      • Lucian Gheorghe and Nissan have recently launched a project to allow drivers’ brains to directly communicate with their car!
      • Lisa Frary is Vice President of Quality, Autoliv North America Division, where she started her career designing and building airbags for the automotive industry.
      • Elon Musk is the powerhouse behind Tesla Motors, SpaceX, and other entities. When interviewing potential employees, he is reported to always ask “You’re standing on the surface of the Earth. You walk one mile south, one mile west and one mile north. You end up exactly where you started. Where are you?” Then when most people get that answer correct, he asks “”Where else could you be?”  In the video to the right he describes Tesla, SpaceX and why he left silicon valley.

  • Global Impact: Electric Car

    As vehicle engineers sought changes to help improve energy efficiency and reduce reliance on fossil fuels, the electric car was born! But you have to go back a long way to identify the first electric car. Between 1832 and 1839 Scotland’s Robert Anderson, built a battery operated vehicle, but as batteries were not yet rechargeable it was more of a demonstration of what the future might bring. Around 1884, an English inventor, Thomas Parker, built prototype electric cars. And at the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair, US designer William Morrison, displayed his self-propelled carriage to enthusiastic crowds. The General Electric Company had interests in electric cars over the decades.

    But it wasn’t until fairly recently that battery and other technology – along with increased consumer interest in environmental matters – made the production and sale of electric vehicles a reality. The emergence of both metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) technology and the lithium-ion battery made electric cars capable of long distance driving. In 1996, General Motors released the EV1 – the first mass-produced, purpose-built modern electric car. And, Tesla Motors began development in 2004 on the Tesla Roadster, which was first delivered to customers in 2008. About 17,000 electric cars were on the world’s roads in 2010, but by 2019, that number had risen to 7.2 million, with a little less than have being driven in the People’s Republic of China. And the market is expected to continue to grow at strong rates around the world.

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    There are currently three different types of electric vehicles. All-electric vehicles (AEVs) run only on electricity and have a range of about 100 miles before the battery needs to be charged. Depending on the type of battery, the car can be recharged in as little as 30 minutes to as long as a day. This distance poses challenges for those wishing to use an electric car for longer travel and even some commutes. Charging stations are being installed in more and more locations, including hotels, shopping centers, and at highway rest stops.

    Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) run on electricity for 6 to 40 miles, and then switch over to an internal combustion engine powered by gasoline. This provides battery power for local shopping or short trips and the flexibility of gasoline for longer trips.

    Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEV) are powered by both gasoline and electricity. The electric energy is generated by the car’s braking system which recharges the battery.

    The two motors are controlled by an internal computer system to maximize efficiency.

    Find out more:

Get Involved

Some resources on this page are provided or adapted from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Career Cornerstone Center.

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