16 of the Highest Paying Automotive Engineer Jobs in 2026

The best Automotive Engineer jobs can pay up to $133,000 per year.

High Paying Automotive Engineer Jobs

• Chassis Engineer

  Salary range: $80,000 - $133,000

  A chassis engineer’s responsibilities are to design, analyze, and test structural systems, steering, brakes, hydraulics, and suspensions in vehicles. In this career, you are responsible for assisting with the architectural design of the chassis system. You are also responsible for conducting investigations and drive failure analysis on found problems. You monitor and analyze data from various tests you administer on different components of the vehicle to ensure proper function. Additional duties are to create technical reports from data and analysis, manage costs, mentor junior engineers, and communicate with the chassis group and affiliates to investigate found issues.

• Body Design Engineer

  Salary range: $74,500 - $111,500

  The majority of Body Design Engineer salaries across the United States currently range between $74,500 (25th percentile) and $111,500 (75th percentile) annually. This moderate range of salaries suggests pay in this role will be consistent, regardless skill level, location and years of experience, though some advancement is possible. Based on recent job posting activity on ZipRecruiter, the Body Design Engineer job market in the United States is not very active as few companies are currently hiring for this role. You can try exploring related titles to find jobs with more active opportunities.

• Dimensional Engineer

  Salary range: $76,000 - $110,000

  A dimensional engineer works in manufacturing fields, particularly the automotive industry, and helps to design new or updated production processes through the analysis of data. As a dimensional engineer, your primary responsibilities include designing components for the assembly process to increase productivity and safety. Your daily duties may involve analyzing data, identifying problems in the manufacturing process, and documenting case studies. You may also perform statistical reporting and use simulation tools for planning.

• Automotive Hardware Engineer

  Salary range: $90,000 - $110,000

  The majority of Automotive Hardware Engineer salaries across the United States currently range between $90,000 (25th percentile) and $110,000 (75th percentile) annually. This moderate range of salaries suggests pay in this role will be consistent, regardless skill level, location and years of experience, though some advancement is possible. Based on recent job posting activity on ZipRecruiter, the Automotive Hardware Engineer job market in the United States is not very active as few companies are currently hiring for this role. You can try exploring related titles to find jobs with more active opportunities.

• Powertrain Engineer

  Salary range: $85,500 - $102,500

  A powertrain engineer works in the automotive industry to design transportation, such as cars, motorbikes, or commercial vehicles. In this career, you focus on the aesthetics and technical performance of powertrain components as well as the electronics and software used in modern vehicles. Your job duties include calculating project budgets and timescales, building prototypes and conducting tests, interpreting data, finding high-quality materials to use, and conducting research on parts. You are also responsible for answering client questions and complying with their needs. Qualifications for this career include an engineering degree and experience with design.

• Powertrain Design Engineer

  Salary range: $81,000 - $89,500

  The majority of Powertrain Design Engineer salaries across the United States currently range between $81,000 (25th percentile) and $89,500 (75th percentile) annually. Most people working in this role make similar salaries regardless of skill level, location and years of experience. Based on recent job postings on ZipRecruiter, the Powertrain Design Engineer job market in the United States is somewhat active, with a few companies hiring.

• Automotive Product Engineer

  Salary range: $81,000 - $89,500

  The majority of Automotive Product Engineer salaries across the United States currently range between $81,000 (25th percentile) and $89,500 (75th percentile) annually. Most people working in this role make similar salaries regardless of skill level, location and years of experience. Based on recent job posting activity on ZipRecruiter, the Automotive Product Engineer job market in the United States is not very active as few companies are currently hiring for this role. You can try exploring related titles to find jobs with more active opportunities.

• Powertrain Calibration Engineer

  Salary range: $65,000 - $88,000

  The majority of Powertrain Calibration Engineer salaries across the United States currently range between $65,000 (25th percentile) and $88,000 (75th percentile) annually. This moderate range of salaries suggests pay in this role will be consistent, regardless skill level, location and years of experience, though some advancement is possible. Based on recent job posting activity on ZipRecruiter, the Powertrain Calibration Engineer job market in the United States is not very active as few companies are currently hiring for this role. You can try exploring related titles to find jobs with more active opportunities.

• Vehicle Cost Engineer

  Salary range: $86,000 - $86,500

  The majority of Vehicle Cost Engineer salaries across the United States currently range between $86,000 (25th percentile) and $86,500 (75th percentile) annually. Most people working in this role make similar salaries regardless of skill level, location and years of experience. Based on recent job posting activity on ZipRecruiter, the Vehicle Cost Engineer job market in the United States is not very active as few companies are currently hiring for this role. You can try exploring related titles to find jobs with more active opportunities.

• Vehicle Dynamics Engineer

  Salary range: $79,500 - $84,000

  The majority of Vehicle Dynamics Engineer salaries across the United States currently range between $79,500 (25th percentile) and $84,000 (75th percentile) annually. Most people working in this role make similar salaries regardless of skill level, location and years of experience. Based on recent job postings on ZipRecruiter, the Vehicle Dynamics Engineer job market in the United States is somewhat active, with a few companies hiring.

• Automotive Project Engineer

  Salary range: $42,000 - $81,500

  The majority of Automotive Project Engineer salaries across the United States currently range between $42,000 (25th percentile) and $81,500 (75th percentile) annually. This large range of salary potential suggests there may be many opportunities for advancement and increased pay depending on skill level, location and years of experience. Based on recent job posting activity on ZipRecruiter, the Automotive Project Engineer job market in the United States is not very active as few companies are currently hiring for this role. You can try exploring related titles to find jobs with more active opportunities.

• Automotive Designer

  Salary range: $63,000 - $80,000

  An automotive designer is a creative professional that works in the automobile industry. Automotive designers are responsible for designing nearly all aspects of a car, including both external and internal components. As an automotive designer, your job duties revolve around using software like AutoCAD to create plans that can then be executed by the manufacturing team. You work with a creative team of designers to ensure you have a cohesive product that is both aesthetically pleasing and functional.

• Body Engineer

  Salary range: $72,000 - $80,000

  The majority of Body Engineer salaries across the United States currently range between $72,000 (25th percentile) and $80,000 (75th percentile) annually. Most people working in this role make similar salaries regardless of skill level, location and years of experience. Based on recent job posting activity on ZipRecruiter, the Body Engineer job market in the United States is not very active as few companies are currently hiring for this role. You can try exploring related titles to find jobs with more active opportunities.

• Engine Research Engineer

  Salary range: $71,000 - $74,000

  The majority of Engine Research Engineer salaries across the United States currently range between $71,000 (25th percentile) and $74,000 (75th percentile) annually. Most people working in this role make similar salaries regardless of skill level, location and years of experience. Based on recent job posting activity on ZipRecruiter, the Engine Research Engineer job market in the United States is not very active as few companies are currently hiring for this role. You can try exploring related titles to find jobs with more active opportunities.

• Vehicle Calibration Engineer

  Salary range: $65,000 - $65,000

  The majority of Vehicle Calibration Engineer salaries across the United States currently range between $65,000 (25th percentile) and $65,000 (75th percentile) annually. Most people working in this role make similar salaries regardless of skill level, location and years of experience. Based on recent job posting activity on ZipRecruiter, the Vehicle Calibration Engineer job market in the United States is not very active as few companies are currently hiring for this role. You can try exploring related titles to find jobs with more active opportunities.

• Dimensional Inspector

  Salary range: $42,500 - $49,000

  The majority of Dimensional Inspector salaries across the United States currently range between $42,500 (25th percentile) and $49,000 (75th percentile) annually. Most people working in this role make similar salaries regardless of skill level, location and years of experience. Based on recent job postings on ZipRecruiter, the Dimensional Inspector job market in the United States is somewhat active, with a few companies hiring.