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How much do automotive engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 4, 2026, the average hourly pay for automotive engineer in the United States is $34.82, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $31.01 and $34.62 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What Does an Automotive Engineer Do?

Automotive engineers design, develop, and test the mechanical components and subsystems of vehicles. As an automotive engineer, you may be asked to create engineering specifications, conduct design reviews, provide technical direction to other staff, modify existing parts in a lab, or perform various analyses. In some cases, automotive engineers perform emergency tests and checks to search for manufacturing defects and decide whether or not a recall should be ordered.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Automotive Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Automotive Engineer, you need a solid background in mechanical engineering principles, problem-solving skills, and a relevant degree in automotive or mechanical engineering. Familiarity with CAD software, simulation tools, and knowledge of industry standards such as ISO and SAE, as well as certifications like Professional Engineer (PE), are typically required. Strong teamwork, effective communication, and adaptability help you collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and respond to rapidly changing technologies. These skills ensure successful vehicle design, compliance with safety standards, and innovation in a competitive automotive market.

What are some common challenges automotive engineers face when working on new vehicle models?

Automotive engineers often encounter challenges related to balancing innovative design with strict safety and regulatory standards. They must also work within tight project timelines and budget constraints, all while ensuring that new technologies are both reliable and manufacturable at scale. Collaboration across multidisciplinary teams—including designers, software specialists, and manufacturing engineers—is essential to address issues such as integration of electronics, fuel efficiency, and sustainability. Navigating these complexities requires strong problem-solving skills and adaptability.

What is the difference between Automotive Engineer vs Mechanical Engineer?

AspectAutomotive EngineerMechanical Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's in Mechanical, Automotive, or related fields; possibly certifications like SAE or ASEBachelor's in Mechanical Engineering; professional engineer (PE) license optional
Work EnvironmentAutomotive manufacturing plants, R&D labs, design studiosFactories, design offices, research labs across various industries
Industry UsageAutomotive industry focus on vehicle design, testing, and productionBroad industry application including aerospace, manufacturing, energy, and more

Automotive Engineers specialize in vehicle design, testing, and manufacturing within the automotive industry, often requiring specific automotive certifications. Mechanical Engineers have a broader scope, working across multiple industries with similar foundational skills. Both roles share core engineering principles but differ in industry focus and application.

More about Automotive Engineer jobs
What cities are hiring for Automotive Engineer jobs? Cities with the most Automotive Engineer job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Automotive Engineer jobs? The most popular types of Automotive Engineer jobs are:
Who are the top companies hiring for Automotive Engineer jobs? The top employers for Automotive Engineer jobs are:
What states have the most Automotive Engineer jobs? States with the most job openings for Automotive Engineer jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Automotive Engineer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Automotive Engineer jobs are:
What are popular job titles related to Automotive Engineer jobs? For Automotive Engineer jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Automotive Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Automotive Engineer job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 96% Full Time, 2% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $72,419 per year, or $34.8 per hour.
Automotive Engineer

Automotive Engineer

US General Services Administration

Kansas City, MO • On-site

$106.44K/yr

Other

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.

Job description

As an Automotive Engineer, you will serve as an expert and authoritative advisor to management on vehicle engineering technical specifications.
Location of position: GSA, Federal Acquisition Service, Office of Fleet Mgmt, Vehicle Purchasing Div., Office of Travel, Transportation and Logistics (TTL) provides governmentwide solutions for travel, transportation, fleet management, and emergency management. 

We are currently filling two vacancies, but additional vacancies may be filled as needed.

Qualifications:

For each job on your resume, provide:

  • the exact dates you held each job (from month/year to month/year)
  • number of hours per week you worked (if part time).    

If you have volunteered your service through a National Service program (e.g., Peace Corps, Americorps), we encourage you to apply and include this experience on your resume.
The GS-13 salary range starts at $106,437 per year. Salary is dependent upon duty location.

If you are a new federal employee, your starting salary will likely be set at the Step 1 of the grade for which you are selected.  

BASIC REQUIREMENTS FOR ENGINEERS: A Degree in professional engineering OR a combination of college-level education, training, and/or technical experience. For specifics on qualifying education and/or experience - use the following link: Basic Requirements for Engineer Positions.
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE:

In addition to the Basic Requirements listed above, you must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 in the Federal service.

Specialized experience is experience applying technical knowledge of mechanical engineering principles, techniques, methods, and precedents to include:

  •  Evaluating vehicles and vehicle standards to determine suitability for customers' mission requirements; 
  •  Analyzing mechanical needs by participating in the review of vehicle program activities to identify problems (e.g. problems involving design, safety, performance, and contract technical requirements); and
  • Identifying vehicle requirements to assist with fleet purchase (e.g.  vehicle descriptions, vehicle performance and vehicle inspections to design and construct final motor vehicle builds).

This position has a positive education requirement: Applicants must submit a copy of their college or university transcript(s) and certificates by the closing date of announcements to verify qualifications. If selected, an official transcript will be required prior to appointment.

Education:

Note: If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/ 

Employment Type: OTHER

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