Career In Automobile Engineering: Courses, Jobs, Salary

Are you passionate about Automobiles? Have you ever thought of designing your own car?

If you’re ever inspired by modern-day cars or bikes, then a career in automobile engineering might be your true calling. This is the engineering that powers cars, bikes and all modern day electric vehicles.

Automobile is one of the fastest growing and most dynamic industries in the world. This industry has wide scope and offer career opportunities in vehicle design, manufacturing, innovation, and sustainable mobility solutions.

Candidates can pursue diploma, undergraduate and postgraduate programs in Automobile/automotive engineering. Before we explore more about courses and career prospecrs, let’s understand automobile engineering in detail.

What is Automobile Engineering?

Automobile Engineering (Automotive Engineering) is a branch of engineering which deals with designing, manufacturing and maintenance of automobiles.

It is also a branch of Vehicle Engineering which works with automobiles, motorcycles, trucks, buses, etc.

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The Indian automotive industry is projected to reach USD 137.06 billion in 2025, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.20% from 2025 to 2030, reaching USD 203.25 billion by 2030.

As an Automobile Engineer you will be involve in multiple tasks related to automobile designing, manufacturing, assembling, modification, and R&D.

Today an Automotive Engineer works in every area of the industry, from the look, mechanism and features to the security and safety of the vehicles.

Automobile Engineer’s major task is to design, develop, manufacture & testing of vehicles from the concept stage to the production stage.

Automobile Vs Automotive Engineering

Automobile Engineering is a traditional branch of engineering focused on the design, manufacturing, assembly, and maintenance of vehicles.

Automotive Engineering on the other hand is a broader discipline which covers design and manufacturing as well as integration of latest technology like Artifical Intelligence and Machine Learning in to vehicles including electric, hybrid, and autonomous systems.

The automobile engineering focuses on designing engines, chassis, transmissions, and suspension systems, whereas automotive engineering focuses on vehicle electronics (e.g., ADAS, infotainment), powertrain innovation (e.g., EV batteries), and software integration.

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Automobile Engineering Courses

The first step towards become an automobile engineer, is to pursue an engineering or a diploma program in either automobile or automotive or mechanical engineering.

A B.Tech or B.E. in automobile engineering is a 4-year undergraduate program that focuses on the design, development, manufacturing, and maintenance of automobiles.

There are many universities and colleges in India, which offers diploma, undergraduate and master’s courses in this field. Some of the courses are as the following:

Diploma Courses

• Diploma in Automobile Engineering
• Advanced Diploma in Automotive Mechatronics

Undergraduate Courses

• B.Tech in Automobile Engineering
• B.Tech in Mechanical Engineering (Automobile specialization)
• B.Tech in Automotive Design Engineering

Postgraduate Courses

• M.Tech in Automobile Engineering
• M.Tech in Automotive Engineering & e-Manufacturing
• M.Tech in Electric & Hybrid Vehicles
• M.Tech in Advanced Automotive Systems

Online & Certification Courses

• Certificate Course in Automobile Engineering
• Certificate Course in Automobile Repair & Driving
• Automobile Engineering Basics – NPTEL
• Vehicle Maintenance and Servicing Courses

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must pass 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (PCM).

A minimum of 50% or 60% is required at 10+2 for admission in B.Tech programs. For IITs and NITs a minimum of 75% (65% for SC/ST) marks is required.

The admission are based on qualifying national level or university level examination like JEE Main, VITEEE, BITSAT etc.

Some other entrance tests for engineering courses are listed here:

• JEE Main 2025 (Join Entrance Examination Main)
• JEE Advanced 2025 (Join Entrance Examination Advanced)
• AP EAMCET 2025 (Andhra Pradesh Engineering, Agriculture and Medical Common Entrance Test)
• TS EAMCET 2025 (Telangana Engineering, Agriculture and Medical Common Entrance Test)
• BCECE 2025 (Bihar Combined Entrance Competitive Examination)
• UPSEE 2025 (Uttar Pradesh State Entrance Examination)
• BITSAT 2025 (Birla Institute of Technology and Science Admission Test)
• GATE 2025 (Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering)

Automobile Specializations

• Electronics and control systems
• Fluid mechanics
• Rapid prototyping
• Computer-based systems and electronics
• Engine systems
• Vehicle and pedestrian safety or supply chain management
• Fuel technology and emissions
• Emissions control
• Aerodynamics
• Thermodynamics

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Top Colleges

Some top colleges to pursue Automotive Engineering are listed here:

• IIT Madras
• Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT)
• Manipal Institute of Technology
• Delhi Technological University (DTU)
• SRM Institute of Science & Technology
• MIT-WPU (Pune)
• Hindustan Institute of Technology & Science
• PSG College of Technology
• Anna University – CEG Campus
• BITS Pilani
• Delhi Technological University (DTU)
• SASTRA Deemed University
• Chandigarh University
• Lovely Professional University (LPU)

Career Opportunities

“Career opportunities are rising rapidly for Automotive Engineers”

The global automobile industry is experiencing a robust growth, driven by a notable surge in demand for electric vehicles (EVs), which is expanding at an annual rate of 22%.

Candidates can find career opportunities across mutiple roles like designing, manufacturing, assembly, software integration and R&D.

Candidates having solid understanding of EV Technology and proficiency in using softwares like CAD, MATLAB, vehicle testing tools and sound understanding of AI and ML are very high in demand globally.

Candidates can work with leading companies like Toyota, Honda, Volkswagen, Suzuki, M&M, Tesla and many other top players in the industry.

The automobile companies are investing heavily in latest technologies like AI/ML and are seeking for professional having good domian knowledge of these technologies.

In developing countries like India and China, which are also the highest consumer of passenger vehicles the automobile industry plays a crucial role in economic development by generating employment.

The automotive engineering career option is very creative & fast paced. It is one of the most preferred careers by mechanical engineers.

The job opportunity as an Automobile Engineers increases due to the rapid growth of auto component in an automobile sector.

Candidates having Ph.D degree in this field, can work as a lecturer or assistant professor in various engineering colleges or universities.

Job Profiles

• Automobile Technicians
• Bike Mechanics
• Automobile Designers
• Car Mechanics
• Quality Engineer
• Mechanical Design Engineer
• Executive and Managerial Positions
• Diesel Mechanics
• Senior Production Engineer
• Driver Instrumentation Engineer

Top Recruiters

• Maruti Suzuki
• Toyota
• Ashok Leyland
• Volkswagen Group
• Honda
• TATA
• Yamaha
• Mahindra & Mahindra
• Honda
• Bajaj
• Hyundai
• Hero Moto Corp
• Heldex India

Salary

As an Automobile Engineer what will be my Salary?

The salary package of an automobile engineer depends upon several factors like job profile, organization, experience, qualification and experience.

In India, a fresher can start a career in automobile engineer with a salary of ₹3 – ₹6 LPA. Candidates graduating from top tier colleges like IITs, NITs or any top private institutions are offered packages ranging ₹8 – ₹18 LPA.

Mid level engineers having 3-5 years of experience, earns an average of ₹6 – ₹10 LPA in India. The salary of automobile engineers working in countries like USA, Germany & Canada are among the highest.

Below table shows the salary of automobile engineers working abroad.

In specialized roles like design, R&D, EV Technology and in startups the salary offered is highly lucrative. In addition to this candidates skills in automotive software, CAD, MATLAB and working location in metro cities and international placement creates a huge difference in the salary.

Books & Study Materials

There are many books for Automotive Engineering is available in the market. Here we have listed some most sought books to pursue Automotive Engineering:

Vehicle Dynamics – Thomas D. Gillespie

Theory of ground vehicles – J.Y. Wong

Internal combustion engines fundamentals – John Heywood

Fundamentals of vehicle dynamics – Thomas D. Gillespie

Automobile Engineering Theory – Kapil Dev

Internal Combustion Engines Fundamentals – John B.heywood

FAQ’s

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