AUTOMOTIVE ENGINEERINGBy: Dalton Riley

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIELD

Automotive Engineering is a specialized field of Mechanical Engineering.

These engineers typically work with the development of structural members and engines as well as many other parts of an automobile.

Most of all, automotive engineers work with the operations of a car. This usually consists of its electrical processes and mechanical systems.

Automotive Engineers also spend a lot of their time on the computer.

Depending on their chosen specialty, as much as ¾ of their time is spent on the computer.

SALARY

Automotive Engineers usually make around $62,880 per year with a Bachelors Degree of Science in Automotive Engineering.

The average number of hours worked per week is normally 40 - 50.

With a Masters Degree or PhD in addition to work experience, an automotive engineer can increase his salary to approximately $93,430.

JOB PROSPECTS

Despite the loss of jobs over the past few years in the automotive manufacturing industry, Chrysler is planning to begin hiring by the end of 2010 and GM is looking to bring back one of its plants lost in bankruptcy.

The automotive engineering industry is anticipated to grow as fast as the average for all occupations through 2014.

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

The basic educational requirements for becoming an Automotive Engineer is a Bachelors of Science in Automotive Engineering.

To be successful they need to be skilled in advanced math, geometry, calculus, statistics, chemistry, and physics.