Automotive Engineers
Develop new or improved designs for vehicle structural members, engines, transmissions, or other vehicle systems, using computer-assisted design technology. Direct building, modification, or testing of vehicle or components.
AI Impact Summary
Automotive Engineers faces moderate AI displacement risk with a score of 30/100. This occupation has higher AI displacement risk than 37% of all analyzed occupations. Of 25 analyzed tasks, 1 are highly automatable, particularly routine cognitive tasks. Strong protective factors — including social intelligence, creativity, or regulatory barriers — significantly reduce effective risk.
Skill Impact Analysis
AI-Vulnerable Skills (6)
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Reading Comprehension is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Programming is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
AI-Resistant Skills (11)
Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Instructing is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Persuasion is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Service Orientation is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
AI-Augmented Skills (7)
Recommended Courses
Courses matched to Automotive Engineers skill gaps, ranked by relevance to your displacement risk profile.
Get personalized recommendations. Answer a few questions about your experience and skills to get course suggestions tailored specifically to you.
Upskill to Reduce Risk
Courses addressing your most AI-vulnerable skills
Machine Learning Specialization
by Stanford / DeepLearning.AI
Estimated Impact
AI-Augmentation Tools
Learn to work alongside AI and boost your productivity
Creative Writing Specialization
by Wesleyan University
Estimated Impact
Strengthen Your Edge
Double down on skills AI can't replicate
Design Patterns in C# and .NET
by Pluralsight
Estimated Impact
We may earn a commission when you enroll through our links, at no extra cost to you. This helps fund the Takeover Tracker.
Risk reduction and salary impact are estimates based on skill gap analysis, course relevance, and labor market data. Actual results vary by individual circumstance.
Education & Training
Percentage of workers at each education and training level
Education Level
Prior Experience Needed
Work experience required to enter this job
Training Provided After Hiring
How long it typically takes to learn on the job
How AI Impacts Each Task
25 tasks analyzed
Conduct or direct system-level automotive testing.
Conduct automotive design reviews.
Provide technical direction to other engineers or engineering support personnel.
Develop engineering specifications or cost estimates for automotive design concepts.
Perform failure, variation, or root cause analyses.
Establish production or quality control standards.
Write, review, or maintain engineering documentation.
Prepare or present technical or project status reports.
Design vehicles that use lighter materials, such as aluminum, magnesium alloy, or plastic, to improve fuel efficiency.
Alter or modify designs to obtain specified functional or operational performance.
Coordinate production activities with other functional units, such as procurement, maintenance, or quality control.
Design or analyze automobile systems in areas such as aerodynamics, alternate fuels, ergonomics, hybrid power, brakes, transmissions, steering, calibration, safety, or diagnostics.
Conduct research studies to develop new concepts in the field of automotive engineering.
Research or implement green automotive technologies involving alternative fuels, electric or hybrid cars, or lighter or more fuel-efficient vehicles.
Develop calibration methodologies, test methodologies, or tools.
Create design alternatives for vehicle components, such as camless or dual-clutch engines or alternative air-conditioning systems, to increase fuel efficiency.
Read current literature, attend meetings or conferences, or talk with colleagues to stay abreast of new automotive technology or competitive products.
Calibrate vehicle systems, including control algorithms or other software systems.
Design control systems or algorithms for purposes such as automotive energy management, emissions management, or increased operational safety or performance.
Develop or implement operating methods or procedures.
Develop or integrate control feature requirements.
Develop specifications for vehicles powered by alternative fuels or alternative power methods.
Build models for algorithm or control feature verification testing.
Design vehicles for increased recyclability or use of natural, renewable, or recycled materials in vehicle construction.
Research computerized automotive applications, such as telemetrics, intelligent transportation systems, artificial intelligence, or automatic control.
| Task | AI Capability | Risk | Time % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conduct or direct system-level automotive testing. | 30Estimated | 39.0% | 6% | |
| Conduct automotive design reviews. | 50Estimated | 47.0% | 5% | |
| Provide technical direction to other engineers or engineering support personnel. | 20Estimated | 23.0% | 6% | |
| Develop engineering specifications or cost estimates for automotive design concepts. | 60Estimated | 51.0% | 5% | |
| Perform failure, variation, or root cause analyses. | 60Estimated | 51.0% | 6% | |
| Establish production or quality control standards. | 50Estimated | 47.0% | 4% | |
| Write, review, or maintain engineering documentation. | 58.35Observed | 72.5% | 4% | |
| Prepare or present technical or project status reports. | 53.05Observed | 36.2% | 4% | |
| Design vehicles that use lighter materials, such as aluminum, magnesium alloy, or plastic, to improve fuel efficiency. | 65Estimated | 53.0% | 3% | |
| Alter or modify designs to obtain specified functional or operational performance. | 60Estimated | 51.0% | 5% | |
| Coordinate production activities with other functional units, such as procurement, maintenance, or quality control. | 30Estimated | 27.0% | 4% | |
| Design or analyze automobile systems in areas such as aerodynamics, alternate fuels, ergonomics, hybrid power, brakes, transmissions, steering, calibration, safety, or diagnostics. | 60Estimated | 51.0% | 5% | |
| Conduct research studies to develop new concepts in the field of automotive engineering. | 40Estimated | 43.0% | 4% | |
| Research or implement green automotive technologies involving alternative fuels, electric or hybrid cars, or lighter or more fuel-efficient vehicles. | 58.83Observed | 50.5% | 3% | |
| Develop calibration methodologies, test methodologies, or tools. | 63.28Observed | 52.3% | 4% | |
| Create design alternatives for vehicle components, such as camless or dual-clutch engines or alternative air-conditioning systems, to increase fuel efficiency. | 55Estimated | 49.0% | 3% | |
| Read current literature, attend meetings or conferences, or talk with colleagues to stay abreast of new automotive technology or competitive products. | 30Estimated | 27.0% | 3% | |
| Calibrate vehicle systems, including control algorithms or other software systems. | 60Estimated | 51.0% | 4% | |
| Design control systems or algorithms for purposes such as automotive energy management, emissions management, or increased operational safety or performance. | 55Estimated | 49.0% | 4% | |
| Develop or implement operating methods or procedures. | 70.6Observed | 55.2% | 3% | |
| Develop or integrate control feature requirements. | 50Estimated | 47.0% | 3% | |
| Develop specifications for vehicles powered by alternative fuels or alternative power methods. | 50Estimated | 47.0% | 3% | |
| Build models for algorithm or control feature verification testing. | 55Estimated | 49.0% | 3% | |
| Design vehicles for increased recyclability or use of natural, renewable, or recycled materials in vehicle construction. | 55Estimated | 49.0% | 3% | |
| Research computerized automotive applications, such as telemetrics, intelligent transportation systems, artificial intelligence, or automatic control. | 45Estimated | 45.0% | 3% |
Protective Factors
Total protective discount: 32.9%
Essential Soft Skills
Traits that are hard for AI to replicate
Wage & Employment (2024)
Median Wage
$102,320
per year
Mean Wage
$110,080
per year
Employment
287K
workers
Wage Range
$68,740 - $161,240
10th - 90th pct
Wage Distribution
Explore other career paths
Compare displacement risk across occupations and find careers with stronger long-term prospects.
Recommendations
Skills to Develop
These skills are at risk from AI automation. Automotive Engineers professionals should diversify beyond them.
- Mathematics
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Reading Comprehension
High reliance on Reading Comprehension is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Mathematics
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Information Ordering
High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Memorization
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Skills to Leverage
These human-centric skills remain difficult for AI to replicate. Double down here.
- Adaptability/Flexibility
Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Complex Problem Solving
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Leadership
Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Coordination
Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Instructing
Instructing is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Tools to Adopt
AI can amplify these skills. Learn the tools that augment rather than replace your work.
- Critical Thinking
Critical Thinking will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Judgment and Decision Making
Judgment and Decision Making will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Writing
Writing will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Systems Analysis
Systems Analysis will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Technology Design
Technology Design will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
Score History
Risk score over 2 scoring runs
overall change