Automotive Engineer Job Description
Hire an engineer who can design, test and optimise vehicle systems across concept, prototype and production. This template helps you describe the technical skills, hands‑on experience and project responsibilities commonly required for an Automotive Engineer role.
What does a Automotive Engineer professional do?
An Automotive Engineer develops and validates vehicle systems — including chassis, powertrain, electrical and body systems — working across design, prototyping, testing and production support to ensure performance, reliability and compliance.
Automotive Engineer job description template
Use this employer-ready example as a starting point, then replace the placeholders and adjust the content so it accurately reflects your vacancy.
Automotive Engineer
About the role
We are seeking an Automotive Engineer to join our engineering team to support design, development and validation of vehicle systems. You will produce CAD models and engineering drawings, run simulations and tests, diagnose faults, and work with suppliers and manufacturing to take components from prototype to production while meeting regulatory and safety requirements.
Key responsibilities
- Design and develop vehicle components and subsystems using CAD; produce engineering drawings and specifications suitable for prototype and production.
- Plan and conduct physical and virtual tests (bench, rig and in-vehicle) to validate performance, durability and safety.
- Analyse test data, perform root-cause investigations and propose corrective actions to resolve technical issues.
- Support prototype build activities and coordinate with suppliers and manufacturing to ensure parts conform to design intent.
- Produce and maintain technical documentation: requirements, design records, test plans, reports and change requests.
- Ensure designs comply with relevant safety, emissions and regulatory standards and support certification activities where required.
- Contribute to project plans, manage assigned work packages, and communicate progress and risks to project stakeholders.
Essential skills and experience
- Degree (or equivalent) in Mechanical, Automotive, Vehicle Engineering or a closely related discipline, or demonstrable equivalent experience.
- Practical experience with CAD modelling and producing engineering drawings.
- Experience planning and running tests (lab, rig or vehicle) and interpreting test data.
- Strong problem‑solving skills with experience of root-cause analysis and implementing corrective actions.
- Good understanding of core vehicle systems (powertrain, chassis, electrical or NVH) relevant to the role.
- Effective written and verbal communication skills for cross-functional collaboration and technical reporting.
Desirable
- Experience with industry software for simulation or analysis (FEA, CFD, vehicle dynamics modelling).
- Familiarity with manufacturing processes, DFMEA, supplier technical management and production support.
- Chartered Engineer status or working towards chartership (e.g. IMechE, IET) or other professional registrations.
- Experience with electrified vehicles, battery systems or control software depending on role focus.
- Full UK driving licence and willingness to attend test sites or supplier locations.
What we offer
- Pension scheme (employer contribution)
- Private medical insurance or health cash plan
- Performance-related bonus or incentive scheme
- Annual training and professional development budget
- Flexible / hybrid working options (role-dependent)
- Paid holiday allowance plus public holidays
How to apply
Apply with your CV and any additional information requested. Make the interview process, closing date and any assessment stages clear where known.
Use this as a starting point rather than a final advert. The strongest version will reflect the real role, salary, location, systems, responsibilities, benefits and working arrangements.
What is an Automotive Engineer role?
An Automotive Engineer applies mechanical and systems engineering principles to design, develop and validate vehicle components and systems. They bridge conceptual design, simulation and physical testing to ensure products meet performance, durability and regulatory requirements, often working closely with suppliers, manufacturing and test teams throughout the product lifecycle.
Design & CAD
Create and refine component and assembly designs with CAD and generate manufacturing-ready drawings.
Testing & Validation
Plan and perform bench, rig and in-vehicle testing to validate performance and durability.
Production Support
Work with suppliers and manufacturing to resolve issues, support prototype builds and scale to production.
Compliance & Safety
Ensure designs meet regulatory, emissions and safety standards and support certification work.
Typical Automotive Engineer responsibilities
Responsibilities should reflect the real scope of the vacancy rather than every task someone in this profession might ever complete.
Design
Design and develop vehicle components and subsystems using CAD; produce engineering drawings and specifications suitable for prototype and production.
Plan and conduct physical
Plan and conduct physical and virtual tests (bench, rig and in-vehicle) to validate performance, durability and safety.
Analyse test data
Analyse test data, perform root-cause investigations and propose corrective actions to resolve technical issues.
Support prototype build activities
Support prototype build activities and coordinate with suppliers and manufacturing to ensure parts conform to design intent.
Produce
Produce and maintain technical documentation: requirements, design records, test plans, reports and change requests.
Ensure designs comply with relevant safety
Ensure designs comply with relevant safety, emissions and regulatory standards and support certification activities where required.
Contribute
Contribute to project plans, manage assigned work packages, and communicate progress and risks to project stakeholders.
Automotive Engineer skills and experience to look for
Keep the essential list focused on what the person really needs to perform the role. Move useful-but-trainable experience into desirable criteria.
Usually worth prioritising
- Degree (or equivalent) in Mechanical, Automotive, Vehicle Engineering or a closely related discipline, or demonstrable equivalent experience.
- Practical experience with CAD modelling and producing engineering drawings.
- Experience planning and running tests (lab, rig or vehicle) and interpreting test data.
- Strong problem‑solving skills with experience of root-cause analysis and implementing corrective actions.
- Good understanding of core vehicle systems (powertrain, chassis, electrical or NVH) relevant to the role.
- Effective written and verbal communication skills for cross-functional collaboration and technical reporting.
Useful where relevant
- Experience with industry software for simulation or analysis (FEA, CFD, vehicle dynamics modelling).
- Familiarity with manufacturing processes, DFMEA, supplier technical management and production support.
- Chartered Engineer status or working towards chartership (e.g. IMechE, IET) or other professional registrations.
- Experience with electrified vehicles, battery systems or control software depending on role focus.
- Full UK driving licence and willingness to attend test sites or supplier locations.
See our guide to what to include in a job advert before publishing.
How to write a Automotive Engineer job advert
Small role-specific details can make the advert much easier for suitable candidates to assess.
Specify the engineering focus
State whether the role focuses on powertrain, chassis, electrification, electronics or systems integration so candidates self-select appropriately.
List practical skills and tools
Highlight required CAD experience, test methods and analysis tools rather than broad phrases like 'familiar with engineering software'.
Be clear about hands‑on expectations
Clarify the balance between desk-based design, workshop prototype work and on-vehicle testing, including any travel to test sites.
Set realistic experience levels
Use concrete measures such as years of relevant experience or examples of past project types rather than vague seniority labels.
Automotive Engineer salary considerations
Automotive Engineer pay varies widely depending on experience, specialism, employer type and project ownership. Instead of a fixed figure here, consider the factors below when setting a salary range for your vacancy.
depending on experience
- Use a genuine range
- Separate variable pay
- Avoid “competitive” alone
- Match salary to seniority
What Automotive Engineer candidates will want to know
Practical details can influence whether a suitable candidate applies, even when the title and salary are attractive.
What projects will I work on?
Candidates want to know product areas (e.g. EVs, commercial vehicles), current project stage (concept, prototype, production) and typical technical challenges.
Where is the role based and is travel required?
Be explicit about the primary workplace, any test facilities, expected site visits and frequency of travel to suppliers or test centres.
What is the balance of desk vs workshop/test work?
Experienced applicants want clarity on time split between CAD/model work, physical testing, on-vehicle debugging and supplier meetings.
What development and progression is available?
Candidates will ask about mentoring, training budgets, chartership support and potential career paths into senior engineering or technical leadership.
Where to post a Automotive Engineer job
For Automotive Engineer vacancies, use a mix of channels: general UK job boards for broad reach, sector-specific engineering and automotive boards to target specialists, and professional networks for senior or chartered candidates. Local recruitment networks and university engineering careers services are useful for early-career hires; for niche skills consider industry forums, specialist recruiter partnerships and LinkedIn campaigns targeted by software and technical keywords.
Related automotive / engineering job descriptions
Recruiting for a slightly different role? These templates may be a closer fit.
Automotive Engineer job description FAQs
Should I require a degree for an Automotive Engineer?
Many employers expect a degree in mechanical, automotive or related engineering, but equivalent hands-on experience or HND/HNC with demonstrable technical ability can be acceptable. Be explicit about which routes you will consider.
How can I assess technical competence during hiring?
Use a mix of technical interview questions, a practical exercise or case study, and review of portfolio evidence (CAD models, test reports). In senior roles, a technical presentation on past projects is useful.
Is chartership necessary to advertise?
Chartered status is a valuable professional credential but not mandatory for most roles. You can list it as desirable or state that support for chartership is available to attract ambitious candidates.
What notice period and start time should I expect?
Notice periods vary; many candidates have one to three months' notice. If you need an earlier start, consider offering a phased handover or a short-term consultancy while permanent staff serve notice.
Ready to post your vacancy?
Customise the job title, required skills and location details to match your team, then publish across targeted channels and monitor applications for candidates with the specific vehicle-system experience you need.
