Automotive Engineering Technicians

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.