High School
Useful classes for aspiring automotive engineering technicians include mathematics, science, physics, and computers. Clear communication skills are essential for this type of work so be sure to take English, communications, and language arts classes as well.
Postsecondary Training
Automotive engineering technicians typically have an associate's degree in mechanical engineering technology or a community college or vocational-technical school certificate. Community colleges offer a combination of liberal arts coursework and technical training, whereas vocational-technical schools focus on the training programs that local employers require.
Automated control systems, robotics, and mechatronics systems are increasingly used in the automotive and automotive parts production process. Automotive engineering technicians can receive training in these processes and participate in apprenticeship programs in community and technical schools that have partnered with automobile and automobile parts manufacturers.
Certification
Online learning platforms, professional associations, and colleges and universities offer certificate programs that help students and current technicians build their skills and learn about new technology and manufacturing and design processes. Contact these organizations for more information.
Other Education or Training
Automotive engineering technicians must stay up to date on automotive technology and systems and parts designs. They may continue their education through workshops and seminars offered by industry associations such as SAE International, which offers continuing education opportunities and online training sessions on topics including design engineering and styling; human factors and ergonomics; safety, fuels, and energy sources; and quality, reliability, and durability. The Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers offers courses on management, effective communication skills, applied ergonomics, quality systems standards, and supply chain management. The Society of Women Engineers offers continuing education on leadership, career development, and special issues for women in engineering. The American Society for Engineering Education, American Society of Mechanical Engineers, National Society of Professional Engineers, and SME also offer continuing education resources.
- 3-D Printing Specialists
- Advanced Manufacturing Engineers
- Advanced Manufacturing Technicians
- Aeronautical and Aerospace Technicians
- Aerospace Engineers
- Air Quality Engineers
- Audio Recording Engineers
- Automation Engineers
- Automobile Collision Repairers
- Automobile Sales Workers
- Automobile Service Technicians
- Automotive Dealership Owners
- Automotive Dealership Sales Managers
- Automotive Designers
- Automotive Engineers
- Automotive Industry Workers
- Automotive Technology Teachers
- Autonomous Vehicle Safety and Test Drivers
- Avionics Engineers
- Avionics Technicians
- Biochemical Engineers
- Biomedical Engineers
- Broadcast Engineers
- Building Automation Systems Engineers
- Building Performance Diagnosticians
- Ceramics Engineers
- Chemical Engineers
- Chemical Technicians
- Chemists
- Chief Robotics Officer
- Civil Engineering Technicians
- Civil Engineers
- Computer-Aided Design Drafters and Technicians
- Diesel Mechanics
- Digital Workplace Experience Engineers
- Drafters
- Driverless Car Engineers
- Drone Engineers
- Electrical Engineering Technologists
- Electrical Engineers
- Electromechanical Engineering Technologists
- Electronics Engineering Technicians
- Electronics Engineers
- Electroplating Workers
- Embedded Systems Engineers
- Energy Efficiency Engineers
- Engineering Technicians
- Engineers
- Environmental Engineers
- Fleet Maintenance Technicians
- Fluid Power Technicians
- Forensic Engineers
- Forge Shop Workers
- Fuel Cell Engineers
- Genetic Engineers
- Geotechnical Engineers
- Glass Manufacturing Workers
- Hardware Engineers
- Hydropower and Marine Energy Industry Workers
- Hypersonics Engineers
- Hypersonics Technicians
- Industrial Engineering Technicians
- Industrial Engineers
- Industrial Machinery Mechanics
- Information Technology Infrastructure Engineers
- Job and Die Setters
- Laboratory Testing Technicians
- Manufacturing Engineering Technologists
- Manufacturing Engineers
- Manufacturing Production Technicians
- Manufacturing Supervisors
- Marine Engineers
- Materials Engineers
- Mechanical Engineering Technicians
- Mechanical Engineers
- Mechatronics Engineers
- Metallurgical Engineers
- Metallurgical Technicians
- Millwrights
- Mining Engineers
- Nanosystems Engineers
- Nuclear Engineers
- Optical Engineers
- Packaging Engineers
- Petroleum Engineers
- Petroleum Technicians
- Plastics Engineers
- Plastics Technicians
- Product Development Directors
- Product Management Directors
- Product Managers
- Quality Control Engineers
- Quality Control Technicians
- Radio Frequency Engineers
- Radio Frequency Identification Device Specialists
- Remote Health Care Engineers
- Renewable Energy Engineers
- Robotics Engineers
- Robotics Integrators
- Robotics Technicians
- Rubber Goods Production Workers
- Software Engineers
- Solar Engineers
- Spacecraft Test Technicians
- Stationary Engineers
- Test Drivers
- Traffic Engineers
- Transportation Engineers
- Welders and Welding Technicians
- Wind Energy Engineers