Automobile Engineering

Automobile or Automotive Engineering has gained recognition and importance ever since motor vehicles capable for transporting passengers has been in vogue. Now due to the rapid growth of auto component manufacturers and automobile industries, there is a great demand for Automobile Engineers. Automobile Engineering alias Automotive Engineering or Vehicle Engineering is one of the most challenging careers in the field of engineering with a wide scope. This branch deals with the designing, developing, manufacturing, testing and repairing and servicing automobiles such as cars, trucks, motorcycles, scooters etc & the related sub Engineering systems. For the perfect blend of manufacturing and designing automobiles, Automobile Engineering uses the features of different elements of Engineering such as mechanical, electrical, electronic, software and safety engineering.

To become a proficient automobile engineer, specialized training is essential and it is a profession which requires a lot of hard work, dedication, determination and commitment. The major task of an Automobile Engineer is the designing, developing, manufacturing and testing of vehicles from the concept stage to the production stage. This broad field of engineering has many sub sections and the areas of specialization include engine systems, electronics and control systems, fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, aerodynamics, supply chain management etc. It involves understanding the mechanism of vehicle chasis, internal combustion Engine, electrical systems, Motor transport affairs, workshop technology, research and design.

Automobile Engineers are mainly classified into three streams like Product or Design Engineers, Development Engineers and Manufacturing Engineers. Product Engineers or Design Engineers are those who deal with the designing and testing of the components and systems of automobiles. They design and test each part of the visualised automobile, seeing that it meets all requirements, performs as required, that the material meets desired durability, and so on.

Manufacturing Engineers deal with activities like how to create and assemble the whole parts of automobiles. They have to design and layout the equipments, machine rates and line rates, specification of automation equipment, and manufacturing safety procedures.

Those who deal with connecting all systems in a completed automobile are called Development engineers. They have the responsibility for directing the delivery of the engineering elements of a complete automobile as ordered by the automobile manufacturer, governmental regulations, and the customer who buys the product. Development Engineers have to provide the Production Engineer details about the spring rate that he would want to utilize in the vehicle. 

Eligibility & Course Areas

Students who have a strong foundation in mathematics, physics, chemistry, biotechnology and computer science can find a lucrative career in the field of Automobile Engineering. Numerous institutes all over India conduct several under graduate (B.E / B. Tech degree), post graduate (M.E / M. Tech) and diploma programs in Automobile engineering.

Educational: The basic eligibility criteria for BE / B.Tech in Automobile Engineering is 10+2 or equivalent examination with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics or Bio-technology, Bio-informatics, Biomedical with a fairly high percentage of marks in the aggregate. After pursuing the bachelor's degree (B.E/B Tech), one can go for a post graduate degree; i.e. M.E/ M.Tech. and after that one can take up the Ph.D degree. 

After 10th one can also choose the diploma program in Automobile Engineering and after the diploma they can take up PG diploma, or even an Engineering degree as some colleges give admission to diploma holders with 50% marks. In certain engineering colleges, mechanical engineering students can opt for Automobile engineering as an optional subject. 

Selection: Admission to the B.E/ B.Tech courses is made on the basis of the marks obtained in +2 and the merit in the entrance examinations (e.g. IIT JEE, AIEEE, BITSAT, state entrance Exams etc.) conducted both at national and state level. In state Entrance exams selection will be based on the rank obtained in the entrance exam. Selection to the M.E/M.Tech courses is through GATE examination (The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering). Diploma holders can take AMIE examination to be equivalent with the degree holder. Admissions to some of the institutions are made by their own separate entrance exams.

Duration : BE / B.Tech courses in Automobile Engineering are of 4 years (8 semesters) duration while ME/ M.Tech degree and Post Graduate Diploma courses in Automobile Engineering are of 2 years, Diploma courses in Automobile Engineering are of 3 years and PhD course is of 2 years. 

Personal skill:

An Automobile Engineer should have a thorough knowledge of different aspects of engineering, including mechanical engineering, combustion, electrical and electronic systems and fuel technology which are involved in the production of vehicles. They should possess excellent communication skills; computer skills; good analytical and problem solving skills; and have an eye for detail. Organising ability, logical thinking, practicality, ability to deal with people diplomatically, patience, creativity, flexibility to understand and apply new technologies are added skills in this field. They must hold good mechanical skills which is necessary for the diagnose of mechanical problems and must have good knowledge in math, science and technology. Besides theses, an Automobile Engineer should require some physical qualities. As they have to work with heavy equipments, they must be reasonably fit and strong with good hand-eye co-ordination and should have good stamina to work for long hours.

Job Prospects & Career Options

Automobile Industry has been booming in recent times, due to the growing demand for vehicles and the job prospects for automobile engineers have also increased rapidly both in India and abroad. The work of automobile engineers involves planning, designing, developing, manufacturing and testing the performance and efficiency of automobiles and their component parts including the Engine chassis and transmission systems. They design new models by keeping a view in their mind about the performance, capability, strength and appearance of the automobiles and also the expenditure for its manufacture and maintenance. The major responsibility of an Automobile engineer is maintaining the high standard of vehicle by using traditional methods and state of the art technology.

This field offers wide range of opportunities for the aspirants and it includes automobile manufacturing industries, production plants, service stations, state road transport corporations, private transport companies, insurance companies, motor vehicle departments etc. With the computer knowledge in CAD (Computer Aided design), CAM (Automation), ERP, Automobile engineers can find employment in computer aided industries as Designers or they can design models of vehicles by joining the Research and Development wing of companies. Diploma holders in Automobile engineering can start their own business enterprise like automobile maintenance workshop or automobile garages. Automobile maintenance Engineers are offered the post of general supervision of mechanics in a workshop, factory or garage. B. tech holders in automobile engineering with an MBA degree could reach the frontline in marketing management careers. 

Candidates with masters degree and with 5 years experience in teaching at graduate level or industrial experience in a reputed firm can get employment as a lecturer. PhD degree holders in Automobile Engineering can work as a researcher or scientist and can further help in the development of the field

Some of the career prospects in the field of automobile engineering are:

• Automobile Engineering Technicians
• Safety Engineering
• Emissions Research
• NVH ( Noise, Vibration and Harshness) Engineers
• Performance Engineer
• Vehicle Dynamics Controller
• Operations Research
• Designing 

Globalization and incredible growth of automobile industry have resulted in numerous opportunities for automobile engineers abroad as well. Qualified candidates with excellent communication skills are very much in demand in the reputed international companies like Volvo, Ashok Leyland, Telco, Ford, Hyundai, Maruti, etc. 

Institutes

Click on the following link for a comprehensive list of institutes conducting courses in Automobile Engineering. Before seeking admission to private engineering colleges, students should ascertain whether the institute has been approved by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and is affiliated to a university.

 » B.E. Automobile Engineering
 » B.Tech. Automobile Engineering
 » Certificate Programme in Automobile Technology
 » Diploma in Automobile Engineering
 » M.Tech. Automobile Engineering
 » Post Graduate Diploma in Automobile Maintenance

Overseas Institutes :

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