automobile engineering

Automobile Engineering: Skills and Opportunities for 2025

Published on October 21, 2025
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11 Min read time
automobile engineering

Quick Summary

  • Automobile engineering involves designing, manufacturing, testing, and repairing vehicles.
  • Courses are offered at UG, PG, and PhD levels, leading to careers in manufacturing, supply chain management, and related fields.
  • Key skills include technical expertise, creativity, problem-solving, and strong mathematical abilities.

Table of Contents

Automobile engineering is a branch of engineering that focuses on designing, manufacturing, and operating vehicles like cars, trucks, and motorcycles. It combines different areas of study, including mechanical, electrical, electronic, software, and safety engineering, to develop and maintain transportation systems. This field includes creating everything from the engine systems to the vehicle structure, with increasing attention on electric vehicles, alternative fuels, and self-driving technology.

Automotive Engineering is a broad field and several other programs are also included under it such as fluid mechanics, safety engineering, thermodynamics, aerodynamics, fuel emission, control systems, etc. The automobile engineering scope is great. Students holding a bachelor’s or master’s degree in automotive engineering can work in automotive industries, manufacturing factories, and also in the supply chain of vehicles, etc. 

What is Automobile Engineering? 

automobile engineering

Automobile Engineering, a branch of mechanical engineering, focuses on designing, manufacturing, testing, and repairing vehicles. It offers great career opportunities, covering installation, quality analysis, and safety engineering. Graduates can pursue higher studies like MTech, PhD, or an MBA for better career prospects and higher salaries.

Scope of Automobile Engineering

Automobile Engineering offers vast career opportunities in various sectors, including manufacturing, research, design, and maintenance. With the growing demand for advanced and eco-friendly vehicles, this field continues to expand.

  1. Manufacturing & Production – Involves vehicle assembly, production planning, and quality control in automobile companies.
  2. Research & Development (R&D) – Focuses on innovating new vehicle technologies, improving fuel efficiency, and developing electric and hybrid vehicles.
  3. Design & Testing – Engineers work on vehicle aesthetics, aerodynamics, safety features, and performance testing.
  4. Maintenance & Service – Ensures the proper functioning of vehicles through regular servicing and troubleshooting.
  5. Government & Defense Sector – Opportunities in transport departments, military vehicle design, and public transportation projects.
  6. Higher Studies & Specialization – Pursuing MTech, PhD, or an MBA for roles in management, teaching, or research.
  7. Entrepreneurship – Starting automobile-related businesses, such as vehicle servicing, spare parts, or custom modifications.

Automobile Engineering Eligibility Criteria & Admission Process 2025

Automobile Engineering courses are available at different levels. To gain admission, students must meet the eligibility requirements set by various colleges. To ensure that candidates fulfill these criteria, the following guidelines have been established. It is important to note that the specific requirements may differ based on the course level, type, and institution. The general eligibility criteria for Automobile Engineering courses after 12th grade are outlined below:

Automobile Engg Course LevelsAutomobile Engg Eligibility Criteria
Diploma in Automobile EngineeringCandidates should have completed Class 10 with decent marks in Science subjects.
Certificate in Automobile EngineeringCompletion of Class 10 or Class 12 with PCM subjects with at least 50 to 60 percent marks.
BTech Automobile Engineering/B.E. in Automobile Engineering/BTech in Automotive Design EngineeringCandidates must have completed their Class 12 from a recognized national or state-level education board.They must have studied Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics subjects.They must have secured a minimum of 50 to 70 percent marks in the board exams.
MTech in Automobile EngineeringCandidates who have completed a Bachelor degree in Automobile Engineering or a related field, with a minimum of 55 percent marks.
Ph.D. in Automobile EngineeringCandidates must have completed MTech in Automobile Engineering or a relevant field with at least 55 to 65 percent marks.

Note: This information is sourced from official website and may vary.

Automobile Engineering Admission Process 2025

In general, admission to Automobile Engineering courses depends on the entrance exam scores from JEE Main, JEE Advanced, KCET, MHT CET, COMEDK UGET, SRMJEEE, GATE, and others, as well as the grades students received in their previous academic exams. Students can find a basic overview of the Automobile Engineering admission process below:

StepsParametersDetails
Step 1Check EligibilityCheck the eligibility criteria for the desired college and make sure one meets the same.
Step 2Application FormsFill out the exam/college application forms before the last date.
Step 3Entrance ExamsPrepare for relevant Automobile Engg. entrance exams. Several private colleges also give admission to students based on Class 12 board exam scores.
Step 4College CounsellingAttend college counseling sessions meant for seat allotment based on entrance exam results.
Step 5Final AdmissionGet hold of the final seat by paying the course fees and getting documents verified.

Note: Be sure to crosscheck the admission process as it may vary for each college.

Types of Automobile Engineering Courses

Automobile Engineering courses are available at the undergraduate, postgraduate, diploma, and doctoral levels in India. Students can choose from various options. A bachelor’s degree usually takes 4 years to complete, while a master’s degree requires 2 years. For those interested in research or teaching, pursuing a PhD in Automobile Engineering or a related field, which takes 3 to 5 years, is an option.

Here is a list of some popular Automobile Engineering courses after the 12th grade, along with a few top colleges offering these courses and their tuition fees:

Automobile Engineering CoursesPopular Colleges Course Fee
B.E./B Tech Automobile EngineeringSRM Institute of Science and TechnologyINR 10 lakh – 10.54 lakh
 Lovely Professional UniversityINR 11.2 lakh
 Chandigarh UniversityINR 6.48 lakh – 8.64 lakh
 Amity University, NoidaINR 11.5 lakh – 13.04 lakh
 Kalasalingam Academy of Research and EducationINR 4 lakh
M.E/M Tech in Automobile EngineeringIIT DelhiINR 3 lakh
 SRM Institute of Science and TechnologyINR 3.2 lakh – 3.49 lakh
 IIT RoorkeeINR 20,000
 Jadavpur UniversityINR 48,000
 Chandigarh UniversityINR 2.4 lakh
Diploma in Automobile EngineeringIntegral University, LucknowINR 1.35 lakh
 Centurion University of Technology and ManagementINR 1.95 lakh
 Godavari Institute of Engineering and TechnologyINR 72,000
 Parul UniversityINR 2.49 lakh
 Kanpur Institute of TechnologyINR 90,450
PhD in Automobile EngineeringAmity University, NoidaINR 3 lakh – 3.02 lakh
 NIMS Institute of Engineering and TechnologyINR 6 lakh

Note: This information is sourced from the official website and may vary.

Diploma in Automobile Engineering

Students generally find a lot of information about B.Tech. and M.Tech. in Automobile Engineering courses. Interestingly, there are over 750 colleges that offer automobile courses at the diploma level. A diploma in Automobile Engineering in India typically lasts three years. It focuses on designing, manufacturing, and maintaining automobile products and components. Students get hands-on training and classroom instruction to prepare for entry-level jobs in Automobile Engineering.

Foundational Subjects: Automobile Materials, Automotive Engines, Automotive Estimation and Costing, Auto Repair and Maintenance, and Modern Vehicle Technology.
Eligibility: Pass Class 10 or Class 12 in the Science stream with at least 50 percent marks.
Admission Process: Merit or Entrance-Based.

Since the Auto Engineering diploma course is shorter than a full degree, it lets students start their careers early and gain financial independence. Additionally, diploma programs are more affordable and accessible, making them good options for students from various backgrounds.

Skills Needed to Become an Automobile Engineer 

automobile engineering

There are certain skills that an automobile engineer must have, you can develop these skills over time and make yourself an eligible choice for your future employers. 

1. Computer Skills 

Along with working on machines and motors, automobile engineers have to work on computers too. They need to use various software and computer-aided design applications and much more for the testing. That’s why it’s important to have in automobile engineering to have computer skills. 

2. Creative Skills 

The task of automobile engineers is to design and develop the different parts of automobiles. For this, they need to be creative in a way that they can create new designs and meet the safety, performance, technical, and other criteria. 

3. Technical Knowledge 

To work on mechanical parts and understand the workings of automobiles, engineers need to have technical knowledge. The technological skills are the ones that will get you hired and that you will be using the most in your job. 

4. Problem-Solving Skills 

An automobile engineer has to have great problem-solving skills. Because in automobile engineering one may face several problems during the design development process, for which you need to develop problem-solving skills. 

5. Mathematical Skills 

Having mathematical skills is necessary for automobile engineers as they need to do accurate calculations of power, strength, and other aspects of the machines they design.   

Career Options after Automobile Engineering 

There are several reputed and lucrative job roles that one can opt for after completing automobile engineering. Here are some of them. 

automobile engineering

1. Automobile Designer 

The main role of the vehicle designer is to design the body, interface, components, and parts of different types of vehicles such as buses, cars, bikes, etc. Besides that, the designer is also involved in developing the electrical, mechanical, technical, and safety parts of the vehicles.  

a) Job Description

An automobile designer has to work on designing, developing, and reviewing automobiles. They have to create designs as per the client’s needs, and after they have the designs created, they need to be reviewed and then production work is started.  

b) Scope

With the rising demand for comfortable, secure, and luxurious automobiles, the need for automobile designers is also increasing. So, one can pursue a career as an automobile designer without any doubt.  

c) Average Salary 

The average salary of an automobile designer in India is INR 5 LPA.  

2. Automobile Engineer 

The Automobile engineer generally deals with the hardware components that include manufacturing, designing as well as operating vehicles. They are involved in developing the exterior as well as interior parts of the vehicles.  

a) Job Description 

As an automobile engineer, your task is to develop Prototypes of the hardware component of automobiles, design the product, and check for any faults after production. 

b) Scope 

 The automobile engineer scope is vast, one can work in service stations, automobile manufacturing industries, private companies, state or government transport production plants etc.  

c) Average Automobile Engineer salary

On average, an automobile engineer earns INR 2 LPA in India. 

3. Bike and Car Mechanics

Automobile companies are producing a huge number of vehicles every year. This has led to increasing demand for bike and car mechanics. A bike or car mechanic is a professional who repairs any fault and replaces faulty parts with new ones. 

a) Job Description 

As a bike or car mechanic, your work will be to diagnose defects, dismantle and disassemble defective parts, scrap carbon from cylinders, fix dents and bents and run tests after all repairing.     

b) Scope 

Bike and car mechanics are always in demand, and with growing automobile numbers this job title can be said one of the career options after completing automobile engineering.  

c) Average Salary

The average salary of a car mechanic in India is INR 1 LPA. 

4. Automotive Sales Engineer 

Automotive sales engineers are professionals who have in-depth knowledge of various products and technologies developed by the company. They use this knowledge and their sales and communication skills to explain the company’s product to general customers and generate more sales. 

a) Job Description

The work of an automotive sales engineer is to make technical presentations to explain company products, do research about the needs and demands of customers, identify communication barriers between customers and the company, train other sales members about the technical aspect of the product, and much more. 

b) Scope 

This is an in-demand career option that one can choose after automobile engineering. Every automobile company needs professionals who can explain the features of their products to customers generate leads and increase sales. 

c) Average Automotive Sales Engineer Salary

The average salary of an automotive sales engineer is INR 1 LPA in India. 

5. Quality Engineer 

A quality engineer is a professional who is in charge of monitoring the quality of manufactured products. The person is responsible for developing quality tests, implementing systems, and ensuring that every product meets safety standards. 

a) Job Description 

As a quality engineer, one has to work on establishing and implementing quality standards, monitor workflows, and processes products, create quality documentation, and test and inspect the products and processes that meet the set standards.  

b) Scope 

Quality engineering is one of the best career options after automobile engineering. It’s not only a lucrative career but also has a high demand. Almost every automobile company needs a quality engineer to ensure that only the best quality products reach customers. 

c) Average Salary 

On average a quality engineer earns 2 LPA in India. 

6. Senior Production Engineer

This is another great automobile engineering scope one can choose. The senior production engineers work in the factories and manufacturing units, looking over the various facets of production. They work closely with engineers and the production team to ensure that company goals are met and quality products are manufactured on time. 

a) Job Description 

The responsibilities of a senior production engineer are supervising production work, improving production plans, and identifying risk factors at any level of production. Senior production engineer also has to communicate with the other managers, stakeholders production teams, etc. 

b) Scope 

There is tremendous scope in this job opportunity, as a senior product engineer you can apply automobile production industry, IT industry, food processing companies, construction industries, refining, and many other industries. 

c) Average Salary 

The average salary of a senior production engineer in India is INR 5 LPA.  

7. Mechanical Design Engineer 

Mechanical design engineers are professionals who use the principles of physics and engineering to design systems and devices. They design and develop new engine models along with working on the improvement of older ones. 

a) Job Description 

Mechanical engineers have to meet with clients to know their mechanical requirements, research the mechanical designs, plan execution using CAD, CAM, and 3D CAD programs, run virtual tests and computer simulations to refine designs, and do other activities. 

b) Scope 

Yes, choosing to become a mechanical design engineer after automobile engineering is a great choice. There is always a huge demand for skilled mechanical design engineers in the aerospace industry, automobile industry, robotics, and machine industries. 

c) Average Salary 

The average salary of a mechanical design engineer is INR 4.8 LPA in India. 

Read more: Best Sample Mechanical Engineer Fresher Resumes

8. Automotive Service Advisor 

If you want a versatile career option after completing your automobile engineering then you can positively become an automotive service advisor. An automotive service advisor works as a liaison between the customer and the automobile technicians. They are people, customers communicate with first when they bring a car to the service center, as advisors identify and advise the right servicing for your automobile. 

a) Job Description 

Greet and meet customers, and set a serving schedule aligning with customer and mechanics’ time. It is also their task to support dealership goals to generate more sales and inform new buyers about warranty and service schedules and much more. 

b) Scope 

There is good scope in this career choice too as most of the dealership shops require a professional who can communicate with customers and inform them about various products and services. 

c) Average Salary 

On average an automotive service advisor earns INR 2 LPA in India. 

9. Marketing Engineer 

Marketing engineers are professionals who have knowledge of both, the automobile and marketing. They use their knowledge to market the mechanical products of the company in front of people to increase sales. 

a) Job Description 

As a marketing engineer, your task will be to collect data on customer reviews related to products. Make strategies to promote and increase demand for the products. 

b) Scope 

There is a lot of scope for an automobile engineer in the marketing field. As an engineer knows better about the technical aspects of the product. They can create better marketing strategies and present the product accurately to clients.    

c) Average Salary 

The average salary of a marketing engineer in India is INR 3 LPA. 

Emerging Trends of Automobile Engineering

The future of automobile engineering is driven by innovation:

  1. Electric Vehicles (EVs) & Hybrid Technology: The growing demand for EVs necessitates engineers skilled in battery technology, electric motors, and charging infrastructure.
  2. Autonomous Vehicles & ADAS: The development of self-driving cars requires expertise in areas like artificial intelligence, sensor technology, and robotics.
  3. Connected Cars & Telematics: Engineers will be needed to design and integrate communication systems for connected car technologies.
  4. Focus on Sustainability: Developing eco-friendly vehicles and reducing emissions will be a key area for future automobile engineers.
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Top Automobile Engineer Recruiters in India

To get a job in the automobile industry the candidate must possess a valid UG or PG degree in automobile engineering. Various top-notch companies conduct campus drives and visit colleges and universities to recruit freshers. Besides that, you can also apply in off-campus recruitment drives whenever the companies advertise the vacancy. 

Some top automotive engineering recruiters 

  • Tata Consultancy Services 
  • Capgemini 
  • Maruti Suzuki 
  • Volkswagen 
  • Yamaha 
  • L&T Technology Services 
  • Mahindra 
  • Hyundai Mobis 
  • Toyota 
  • Robert Bosch India 
  • Bajaj Auto and many more. 

Make a Career in Automobile Engineering 

With the rise in the demand for quality automobiles among people, the need for skilled, creative, and knowledgeable automobile engineers is also increasing. Choosing automobile engineering would be a great choice without any doubt. 

Furthermore, you get various choices of job titles that you can choose as per your interests and skills. Some of the best career options have already been discussed in the article. So, start your career journey as an automobile engineer today.  

Conclusion

Automobile engineering offers vast career opportunities for those passionate about vehicle design, manufacturing, and technology. With a strong foundation in mechanical principles, electrical systems, and safety regulations, automobile engineers play a crucial role in the automotive industry. Their expertise is essential in improving vehicle performance, fuel efficiency, and sustainability, making them valuable in various sectors.

The demand for skilled professionals in automobile engineering continues to grow with advancements in technology and innovation. Graduates can explore careers in automotive industries, manufacturing units, and research organizations. Pursuing automobile engineering ensures a promising future, contributing to the ever-evolving world of transportation and mobility.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What does an automobile engineer do?

An automobile engineer helps design and improve cars. They make vehicles safer, faster, and more efficient.
Example: Working on a new electric car’s battery system.
Tip: Stay updated with new technology like EVs and self-driving features. This field evolves quickly!

What is the salary of automotive engineer in Chennai?

In Chennai, an automotive engineer earns:
Freshers: ₹1.8–3 LPA
2–4 years: ₹3–5 LPA
Experienced: ₹6–8+ LPA
Tip: Skills in EV or CAD tools can boost your salary.

Which course is best for automobile?

Best course for automobile:
B.Tech/B.E. in Automobile Engineering
Covers vehicle design, engines, and systems
Needs 10+2 with PCM
Tip: Pick a college with good labs and industry ties for better job chances

Is automobile a good career?

Yes, automobile engineering can be a good career, especially if you’re passionate about vehicles and technology.
Pros:
Jobs in design, testing, manufacturing, and R&D.
Opportunities in electric vehicles (EVs) and smart cars.
High demand in India and abroad.
Tip: To grow faster, learn modern skills like EV tech, CAD tools, or automation.

Which engineer makes a car?

Automobile Engineers, design and develop the overall vehicle.
Mechanical Engineers, focus on engines, brakes, and other moving parts.
Electrical/Electronics Engineers, handle wiring, sensors, and onboard electronics.
Design Engineers, work on the car’s look and ergonomics.
Software Engineers, program smart features like navigation or self-driving technology.
Tip: Modern cars need a mix of mechanical and software skills; both are in demand!

Authored by, Gagandeep Khokhar
Career Guidance Expert

Gagandeep is a content writer and strategist focused on creating high-performing, SEO-driven content that bridges the gap between learners and institutions. He crafts compelling narratives across blogs, landing pages, and email campaigns to drive engagement and build trust.

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