O*NET-SOC 17-2141.02

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.

Preparation

ItemValue
Preparation zoneZone 4 – Considerable preparation needed
What O*NET says the zone requiresConsiderable skill, knowledge, or experience is needed
Broad occupation in O*NETFalse (No)
Skills listed for this occupation6
Abilities listed for this occupation6
Tasks listed for this occupation5
Interest scores given for this occupation6

Skills

The 6 skills with the highest importance values in this occupation's records.

SkillO*NET elementImportanceDate
Complex Problem Solving2.B.2.i4.1208/2022
Critical Thinking2.A.2.a4.1208/2022
Reading Comprehension2.A.1.a4.008/2022
Judgment and Decision Making2.B.4.e3.8808/2022
Mathematics2.A.1.e3.8808/2022
Speaking2.A.1.d3.8808/2022

The importance value is what each record itself carries on O*NET's importance scale; the date is the date in each record.

Abilities

The 6 abilities with the highest importance values in this occupation's records.

AbilityO*NET elementImportanceDate
Deductive Reasoning1.A.1.b.44.008/2022
Inductive Reasoning1.A.1.b.54.008/2022
Oral Comprehension1.A.1.a.14.008/2022
Oral Expression1.A.1.a.34.008/2022
Problem Sensitivity1.A.1.b.34.008/2022
Written Comprehension1.A.1.a.24.008/2022

The importance value is what each record itself carries on O*NET's importance scale; the date is the date in each record.

Tasks

The tasks O*NET records for this occupation, with the type, respondent count and date each record carries.

TaskTypeIncumbents respondingDate
Conduct or direct system-level automotive testing.Core2108/2022
Provide technical direction to other engineers or engineering support personnel.Core2108/2022
Perform failure, variation, or root cause analyses.Core2108/2022
Calibrate vehicle systems, including control algorithms or other software systems.Core2108/2022
Design or analyze automobile systems in areas such as aerodynamics, alternate fuels, ergonomics, hybrid power, brakes, transmissions, steering, calibration, safety, or diagnostics.Core2108/2022

Work interests

The interest scores O*NET gives this occupation, on the six interest types.

InterestScoreDate
Realistic6.4811/2023
Investigative5.711/2023
Conventional4.1111/2023
Artistic2.4411/2023
Enterprising2.0411/2023
Social1.2911/2023

More occupations in preparation zone 4

Source: O*NET 29.1 Database (Occupation Data, Job Zones, Skills, Abilities, Task Statements, Interests), U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Data fetched 2026-10-31. See about and sources.