Automobile engineering technician

Automobile engineering technicians help engineers to design, develop, produce, inspect and test motor vehicles and their parts. They may also service vehicles, which involves finding and diagnosing faults, as well as carrying out repairs.

Also known as

• Car production engineering technician
• Vehicle engineering technician

Work activities

Automobile engineering technicians help to develop all types of vehicle, including cars, tanks, vans, buses and fork-lift trucks. They also service vehicles, making sure they are safe and reliable. In the manufacturing industry, they help to design, produce, test and inspect vehicles. They work with engineers on electrical systems and power units, computerised control systems, brakes, suspension systems and catalytic converters, for example. Some automobile engineering technicians plan production processes; they may arrange to buy any materials or parts that are needed.

Automobile engineering technicians develop test procedures to make sure that the vehicles and their parts are safe and of high quality. They might also assist with the research and development of electrical systems. They spend time working out detailed designs and technical drawings, as well as writing reports. In the servicing sector, automobile engineering technicians work out costs and make sure that vehicles are economically maintained and repaired, so they are safe, reliable and comply with legal requirements. Some automobile engineering technicians lead teams, including other technicians and craftspeople. Automobile engineering technicians work in offices and production areas of factories or workshops.

Personal qualities and skills

As an automobile engineering technician, you need:

• Technical ability and good problem-solving skills.
• To diagnose faults and repair them quickly.
• Knowledge of mechanical and electrical systems, ergonomics and computers.
• To be willing to keep up to date with changing technology.
• The ability to read and interpret technical drawings and plans, and to explain them to others.
• To be resourceful, able to act on your own initiative and pay attention to detail.
• To be a good team member, able to work with engineers and other technicians.
• You may be responsible for other staff, so the ability to lead and motivate others is an advantage.

The main skills gaps for the automotive industry are:

• Materials requirement planning (MRP11).
• CNC (computer numerical control) machine operation.
• Computer aided design (CAD).
• Welding.
• Computer aided engineering (CAE).

Pay and opportunities

Salaries for automobile engineering technicians vary depending on the company, role and level of responsibility. Automobile engineering technicians earn in the range of £20,000 a year, rising to £45,000 with experience.

Most automobile engineering technicians work around 39-41 hours a week, Monday to Friday. Early starts, late finishes and some weekend work may be required. Some automobile engineering technicians may have to work shifts.

Employers are major motor manufacturers and vehicle parts manufacturers. There are also openings with manufacturers of commercial vehicles and buses, sports cars and rail vehicles. Opportunities for automobile engineering technicians occur with employers in towns and cities throughout the UK.

Where are vacancies advertised?

Vacancies are advertised in local/national newspapers, trade industry publications, and on the Government’s Find a Job service. Vacancies can also be found through specialist engineering recruitment agencies, internet job boards and the websites of professional engineering bodies and motoring organisations.

Entry routes and training 

You can often enter this career by doing a level 4 (higher) apprenticeship in the role of engineering manufacturing technician with an automotive company. You’ll train on the job and work towards relevant qualifications on day- or block-release in college.

Alternatively, you could work towards a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in a subject such as:

• Automotive engineering
• Design engineering
• Electrical or electronics engineering
• Manufacturing engineering
• Mechanical engineering

Professional registration – known as EngTech – is available for those who have joined a professional engineering institution licensed by the Engineering Council.

With further education and training, engineering technicians can go on to register at Incorporated Engineer (IEng) and Chartered Engineer (CEng) level.

Qualifications

To enter a higher apprenticeship, you’ll need:

• Two A-levels, ideally in relevant subjects.
• GCSEs in English and maths.

To begin a higher-level qualification, you’ll typically need:

• Two to three A-levels.
• GCSEs in four or five subjects, including English and maths.

To do a foundation degree, you may only require one A-level, but this may vary.

Adult opportunities

Age limits: it is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

Practical or technical skills gained, for example, as a garage assistant or tyre/ exhaust fitter, or knowledge of electrical work (paid or unpaid) is useful.

Most colleges will consider applications from older candidates who don’t have the usual entry requirements. You should check the admissions policy of individual colleges.

Training Information on pathways to registration as an Engineering Technician (EngTech) can be found on the Engineering Council’s website.

Numerous institutions offer undergraduate and postgraduate engineering qualifications via distance learning.

Related careers

• Auto-electrician
• Automobile engineer
• Engineer
• Mechanical engineering technician
• Production engineering technician
• Roadside technician
• Tyre fitter
• Vehicle technician