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Vehicle Engineering Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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'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 ...

Vehicle Operator/ Driver

San Mateo, CA · On-site

$24.75 - $31/hr

Why You'll Love This Role: ✔ Be a Key Player - Work directly with teams across computer vision, infrastructure, strategy, vehicle engineering, and ride operations. ✔ Hands-On Experience - Operate ...

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Vehicle Engineering information

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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:
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.
Staff Technical Program Manager, Vehicle Engineering Systems (Air, Gravity, Future Development)

Staff Technical Program Manager, Vehicle Engineering Systems (Air, Gravity, Future Development)

Lucid Motors

Newark, CA

$145K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 16 days ago


Lucid Motors rating

7.4

Company rating: 7.4 out of 10

Based on 35 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

17th of 44 rated automakers


Job description

Leading the future in luxury electric and mobility
At Lucid, we set out to introduce the most captivating, luxury electric vehicles that elevate the human experience and transcend the perceived limitations of space, performance, and intelligence. Vehicles that are intuitive, liberating, and designed for the future of mobility.
 
We plan to lead in this new era of luxury electric by returning to the fundamentals of great design where every decision we make is in service of the individual and environment. Because when you are no longer bound by convention, you are free to define your own experience.
 
Come work alongside some of the most accomplished minds in the industry. Beyond providing competitive salaries, were providing a community for innovators who want to make an immediate and significant impact. If you are driven to create a better, more sustainable future, then this is the right place for you.

The Vehicle Engineering (VE) Programs team is looking for a Staff Technical Program Manager. As a Staff Technical Program Manager for the Vehicle Engineering team, you will be dedicated to a single vehicle program like Air, Gravity, or future vehicle programs. You will be responsible for managing program-level timelines and risk dashboards for Vehicle programs. You will also be responsible for technical program managing cross-functional programs that cross different Vehicle Engineering commodities for that vehicle program. 
 

Responsibilities

  • Provide general program related support to Vehicle Engineering Programs Director to ensure clear communication of timeline milestones and support with escalation / resolution of program decisions needed 
  • Create and maintain detailed Gantt charts for all of Vehicle Engineering pulling together the different Simultaneous Engineering Team (SET) schedules 
  • Identify critical paths, resource constraints, dependencies, and roadblocks for the VE organization 
  • Understand deadlines and deliverables for the vehicle program each TPM supports and communicate these deadlines clearly to SET and Module leads. 
  • Interface with Lucid internal cross-functional departments to keep verification and validation program on time for vehicle build phases and start of vehicle production 
  • Track and report program-level metrics and dashboards for Vehicle Engineering 
  • Utilize Jira to communicate and monitor Vehicle Engineering dashboards including program-level risk tracking 
  • Utilize various communication pages and documentation to publish critical information 
  • Author cross-module vehicle program deliverables that require data from multiple modules 
  • Provide regular progress updates to VE management, vehicle program management, chief engineering, and the executive staff 
  • Support cost breakdown dashboard tracking for their vehicle programs VE BOM 
  • Organize, where needed, technical guidance to solve cross-functional issues that touch multiple Modules 

Qualifications

  • 6+ years of professional work experience in a STEM related field 
  • 2+ years working in technical program management 
  • Experience managing cross-functional teams 
  • Experience managing aggressive program timelines and deadlines 
  • Experience in technical / engineering program management in STEM fields such as automotive or consumer electronics 
  • Experience working with electromechanical assemblies 
  • Experience with Atlassian Jira, and Confluence 
  • Experience creating and using GANTT charts 

Advantageous

  • Basic usage of CAD for creating sections, presentations; CATIA preferred 
  • 5+ years of work experience in automotive hardware 
  • Systems Engineering experience with requirements, test and validation. Act as an advocate for Systems Engineering within the Team 
  • Flexibility to work in a fast-paced startup environment with frequent prioritization adjustments 
  • Experience leading design release and change requests 
  • Experience with headcount planning, resourcing, and prioritization 
  • Experience with concept to launch, vehicle development and product launch or consumer product launch 
  • Knowledge in cross function development of electronics components 
  • A positive attitude with a drive to learn and contribute meaningfully 
  • Exceptional communication in written and verbal English 
  • Exceptional organizational skills and interpersonal skills 
  • Ability to develop strategic planning related to program timing, cost and technical requirements 

Education

  • Bachelor's Degree in Engineering or STEM 
  • Mechanical or Electrical Engineering preferred 
  • Master's degree preferred 
Salary Range: The compensation range for this position is specific to the locations listed below and is the range Lucid reasonably and in good faith expects to pay for the position taking into account the wide variety of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions, including job-related knowledge; skillset; experience, education and training; certifications; and other relevant business and organizational factors.
 
Additional Compensation and Benefits: Lucid offers a wide range of competitive benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability insurance, vacation, and 401k. The successful candidate may also be eligible to participate in Lucids equity program and/or a discretionary annual incentive program, subject to the rules governing such programs.  (Cash or equity incentive awards, if any, will depend on various factors, including, without limitation, individual and company performance.)
Base Pay Range (Annual)
$153,100—$224,510 USD

Additional Compensation and Benefits: Lucid offers a wide range of competitive benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability insurance, vacation, and 401k. The successful candidate may also be eligible to participate in Lucids equity program and/or a discretionary annual incentive program, subject to the rules governing such programs.  (Cash or equity incentive awards, if any, will depend on various factors, including, without limitation, individual and company performance.)

By Submitting your application, you understand and agree that your personal data will be processed in accordance with our Candidate Privacy Notice. If you are a California resident, please refer to our California Candidate Privacy Notice.

To all recruitment agencies: Lucid Motors does not accept agency resumes. Please do not forward resumes to our careers alias or other Lucid Motors employees. Lucid Motors is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes. 
 

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About Lucid Motors

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Lucid Motors is a highly innovative electric vehicle manufacturer located in Newark, CA, USA. Primarily engaged in the automotive industry, its mission is to elevate electric vehicles' standing and transform the way people travel. The company was founded in 2007 by Bernard Tse and Sam Weng as Atieva, a name under which it initially focused on battery technology. However, it pivoted towards automotive manufacturing and rebranded as Lucid Motors in 2016. The company is committed to making luxury, sustainable electric vehicles that break norms and set new standards with top-notch technology and engineering. Their mission aligns with their core values, which are centered around innovation, sustainability, and excellence. Notably, Lucid Motors launched the Lucid Air in 2020, an all-electric sedan well-received for its advanced features and impressive mileage.

Industry

Manufacturing

Company size

1,001 - 5,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Newark, CA, US

Year founded

2007