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Vehicle Engineering Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Astrolab

Vehicle Engineering Manager

Hawthorne, CA · On-site

$166K - $187K/yr

Vehicle Engineering Employment Type: Full Time Location: Hawthorne, California Reporting To: Craig Western Compensation: $166,000 - $187,000 / year Description Venturi Astrolab, Inc. (Astrolab) is ...

Astrolab

Vehicle Engineering Manager

Hawthorne, CA

Lead a team of interdisciplinary engineers within Vehicle Engineering * Create systems-level vehicle layout and architecture compliant with design requirements * Maintain schedule, development ...

Astrolab

Vehicle Engineering Manager

Hawthorne, CA

$166K - $187K/yr

Lead a team of interdisciplinary engineers within Vehicle Engineering * Create systems-level vehicle layout and architecture compliant with design requirements * Maintain schedule, development ...

Aetherflux

Launch Vehicle Engineering

Seattle, WA · On-site

Launch Vehicle Engineering About Cowboy Space Corp Cowboy Space Corp. is building the infrastructure to power and connect the orbital economy. Our satellites operate in Low Earth Orbit to collect ...

Long Wall

Head of Vehicle Engineering

Long Beach, CA · On-site

Head of Vehicle Engineering DESCRIPTION Long Wall is hiring a Head of Vehicle to lead the multidisciplinary team responsible for taking missile defense hardware from concept through flight. This ...

STV

Vehicle Engineering Project Manager

Dallas, TX · On-site

$130K - $149K/yr

STV's Vehicle Group is seeking an experienced Vehicle Engineering Project Manager to join our Vehicles/Systems Engineering team as part of the Centers of Excellence in in Texas, with a strong ...

STV

Vehicle Engineering Project Manager

Austin, TX

$130K - $149K/yr

STV's Vehicle Group is seeking an experienced Vehicle Engineering Project Manager to join our Vehicles/Systems Engineering team as part of the Centers of Excellence in in Texas, with a strong ...

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How much do vehicle engineering jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 28, 2026, the average hourly pay for vehicle engineering in the United States is $40.64, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $38.22 and $40.38 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the highest salary for a car engineer?

The highest salaries for vehicle engineers, including car engineers, can exceed $120,000 annually, especially for those with extensive experience, advanced skills in CAD and simulation tools, and leadership roles in the automotive industry. Top earners often work in senior engineering, management, or specialized research positions at major automakers or suppliers.

What does a vehicle engineer do?

A vehicle engineer designs, develops, and tests vehicles and their components, such as engines, chassis, and safety systems. They use CAD software, perform simulations, and ensure compliance with safety and environmental standards throughout the development process.

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

To thrive as a Vehicle Engineer, you need a solid understanding of mechanical and automotive engineering principles, typically backed by a relevant engineering degree. Familiarity with CAD software, vehicle simulation tools, and knowledge of industry standards or certifications like SAE or ISO are commonly required. Strong problem-solving abilities, teamwork, and effective communication skills help drive innovation and project success. These competencies are vital for designing safe, efficient vehicles and collaborating across multidisciplinary teams in a highly competitive industry.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals in vehicle engineering, and how can applicants prepare for them?

Vehicle engineering professionals often encounter challenges such as balancing regulatory compliance with innovation, managing tight project deadlines, and integrating new technologies into existing vehicle platforms. Applicants can prepare by staying up to date with industry standards, developing strong project management skills, and gaining familiarity with emerging trends like electric and autonomous vehicles. Collaborating effectively with multidisciplinary teams—including design, manufacturing, and software engineers—is also crucial for success in this dynamic field.

What is the difference between Vehicle Engineering vs Mechanical Engineering?

AspectVehicle EngineeringMechanical Engineering
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Mechanical, Automotive, or Vehicle Engineering; certifications in automotive designBachelor's in Mechanical Engineering; professional engineer (PE) license often preferred
Work EnvironmentAutomotive companies, R&D labs, manufacturing plantsFactories, design firms, research labs across various industries
Industry UsagePrimarily automotive, transportation, motorsportsBroad industry applications including aerospace, manufacturing, energy
Common Search/ComparisonYesYes

Vehicle Engineering focuses specifically on designing, developing, and testing vehicles and automotive systems, often requiring specialized knowledge of automotive components. Mechanical Engineering offers a broader scope, covering various mechanical systems across multiple industries. While both fields share foundational engineering principles and credentials, Vehicle Engineering is more specialized for automotive applications.

What engineers make $500,000?

Senior engineers in specialized fields such as aerospace, petroleum, or software engineering can earn $500,000 or more annually, often through a combination of base salary, bonuses, and stock options. High-level roles typically require extensive experience, advanced skills, and sometimes professional certifications or advanced degrees.

What engineers make $300,000 a year?

Senior vehicle engineers, especially those in leadership roles or with specialized expertise in areas like autonomous systems or electric vehicles, can earn $300,000 or more annually. High compensation often requires advanced skills, extensive experience, and sometimes management responsibilities or working in high-cost regions.

What is vehicle engineering?

Vehicle engineering is a branch of engineering that focuses on the design, development, manufacturing, and testing of vehicles such as cars, trucks, motorcycles, and buses. It combines elements of mechanical, electrical, electronic, software, and safety engineering to create vehicles that are efficient, safe, and reliable. Vehicle engineers work on everything from the engine and transmission to aerodynamics and onboard systems, ensuring that all components work together seamlessly.
More about Vehicle Engineering jobs
What cities are hiring for Vehicle Engineering jobs? Cities with the most Vehicle Engineering job openings:
What states have the most Vehicle Engineering jobs? States with the most job openings for Vehicle Engineering jobs include:
Vehicle Engineering jobs near you
Infographic showing various Vehicle Engineering job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 63% Full Time, 36% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 88% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $84,523 per year, or $40.6 per hour.

Vehicle Engineering Manager

Astrolab

Hawthorne, CA • On-site

$166K - $187K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 16 days ago

Job description

Vehicle Engineering Manager
Department: Vehicle Engineering
Employment Type: Full Time
Location: Hawthorne, California
Reporting To: Craig Western
Compensation: $166,000 - $187,000 / year
Description
Venturi Astrolab, Inc. (Astrolab) is pioneering new ways to explore and operate on distant planetary bodies. We are singularly focused on designing, building, and operating a fleet of multi-purpose commercial planetary rovers to extend and enhance humanity's presence in the solar system. We are seeking motivated, creative, and exceptional people to join our world-class team.
You will collaborate with other Astrolab engineers to advance product design and analysis. You will be ultimately responsible for leading a team through the entire design process, through production support, and mission operations.
What you'll do:
  • Lead a team of interdisciplinary engineers within Vehicle Engineering
  • Create systems-level vehicle layout and architecture compliant with design requirements
  • Maintain schedule, development milestones, budget, and resource allocation
  • Design concepts/ solutions and first-order analysis
  • Drive the design and development of mechanical systems
  • Support the development of materials for design review milestones (DCR, PDR, CDR, etc) and act as the reviewer and approver for design unit progression
  • Capture, report, and analyze quality objective data
  • Participate in management Review meetings
  • Participate in internal and external audits of this process
  • Manage documented information for this process
  • Train the team and new or transferred employees in this process
  • Support goals and objectives of AS9100
  • Conduct weekly 1 on 1 meetings with direct reports
  • Conduct semi-annual reviews with direct reports

What you'll bring:
  • Bachelor's degree in an engineering or STEM field
  • 5+ years of experience in mechanical system engineering
  • 3+ years of experience leading a team of engineers
  • Experience using CAD software for part modeling and development (NX preferred).
  • Experience using software packages for finite element modeling and analysis
  • Experience in design for manufacturing and geometric dimensioning and tolerancing of parts
  • Experience interfacing with thermal requirements and analyses
  • Experience interfacing with avionics and software (e.g., for actuator motor control)

Preferred Skills and Experience:
  • Master's degree in engineering
  • Experience in the engineering of structures, mechanisms, and actuators
  • Demonstrated ability to plan and execute flight hardware development programs from the ground up
  • Demonstrated experience specifying and executing hardware qualification and acceptance test programs

Benefits and Perks
  • Join a team of best-in-class engineers building the foundation of planetary surface exploration
  • Equity ownership in the company
  • Comprehensive health benefits, including medical, dental, vision, and mental health support
  • 401(k) plan with company match
  • Flexible PTO and parental leave
  • Home office set up reimbursement
  • Weekly lunch stipend, plus complimentary snacks and beverages on-site
  • Once a month social hour on-site with food and drinks

Apply