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Manager Automotive Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

The management and its entire team, handpicked from among the best talents in the industry, can ... Linux Automotive Engineer Location: San Diego, CA Duration: 6+ Months You will be joining ...

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Manager Automotive Engineer information

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$12

$55

$80

How much do manager automotive engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of May 31, 2026, the average hourly pay for manager automotive engineer in the United States is $55.99, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $40.14 and $74.52 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

To thrive as a Manager Automotive Engineer, you need a solid background in mechanical or automotive engineering, experience in vehicle design or manufacturing, and typically a bachelor’s or master’s degree in engineering. Familiarity with CAD software, project management tools, and industry standards like ISO/TS 16949 is essential, as are certifications such as PMP or Six Sigma. Excellent leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills help guide multidisciplinary teams and drive innovation. These competencies are crucial for delivering high-quality automotive projects on time and ensuring team performance in a highly competitive industry.

How does a Manager Automotive Engineer typically balance technical responsibilities with team leadership duties?

A Manager Automotive Engineer often splits their time between overseeing engineering projects and supporting their team’s professional development. This involves not only reviewing technical designs and ensuring project milestones are met but also mentoring junior engineers, facilitating communication across departments, and setting performance goals. Effective time management and delegation are crucial, as the manager must address both the technical challenges of automotive engineering and the day-to-day needs of their team. Collaboration with other departments, such as manufacturing and quality assurance, is also a common part of the role.

What does a Manager Automotive Engineer do?

A Manager Automotive Engineer oversees teams that design, develop, and improve automotive systems and vehicles. They coordinate engineering projects, manage budgets and timelines, and ensure that products meet quality and safety standards. Additionally, they often liaise between different departments such as manufacturing, design, and quality assurance, and may interact with clients or suppliers. Their role is crucial in leading technical teams to innovate and deliver successful automotive solutions.

What is the highest paid automotive engineer?

Senior automotive engineers, especially those in managerial or specialized roles such as vehicle development or autonomous systems, tend to have the highest salaries in the field, often exceeding $120,000 annually. Top earners may work for major automakers or technology companies and often hold advanced degrees and certifications in engineering or related fields.

What is the difference between Manager Automotive Engineer vs Automotive Design Engineer?

AspectManager Automotive EngineerAutomotive Design Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Mechanical or Automotive Engineering; often leadership experienceBachelor's or Master's in Mechanical or Automotive Engineering; focus on design skills
Work EnvironmentTeam leadership, project management, cross-department collaborationDesign studios, CAD software, prototype testing
Employer & Industry UsageAutomotive manufacturers, suppliers, R&D departmentsAutomotive manufacturers, design firms, R&D teams
Common Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding managerial roles in automotive engineeringFocus on vehicle design and development

The main difference between a Manager Automotive Engineer and an Automotive Design Engineer lies in their focus and responsibilities. The Manager oversees teams, project timelines, and strategic planning, while the Design Engineer concentrates on creating vehicle components and prototypes. Both roles require strong engineering credentials, but their day-to-day tasks and career paths differ significantly.

More about Manager Automotive Engineer jobs
What cities are hiring for Manager Automotive Engineer jobs? Cities with the most Manager Automotive Engineer job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Automotive Engineer jobs? The most popular types of Automotive Engineer jobs are:
What states have the most Manager Automotive Engineer jobs? States with the most job openings for Manager Automotive Engineer jobs include:
Infographic showing various Manager Automotive Engineer job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 39% Full Time, 57% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $116,463 per year, or $56 per hour.
Automotive Engineer

$106.44K/yr

Other

Posted 18 days ago


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