Career as Automobile Technician

Automobile Technician 

 Automobile or Automotive Engineering has gained recognition and importance ever since motor vehicles capable of transporting passengers have been in vogue. Now due to the rapid growth of auto component manufacturers and automobile industries, there is a great demand for Automobile Engineers. Automobile Engineering alias Automotive Engineering or Vehicle Engineering is one of the most challenging careers in the field of engineering with a wide scope. This branch deals with designing, developing, manufacturing, testing and repairing and servicing automobiles such as cars, trucks, motorcycles, scooters, etc & the related sub-Engineering systems. For the perfect blend of manufacturing and designing automobiles, Automobile Engineering uses the features of different elements of Engineering such as mechanical, electrical, electronic, software and safety engineering.

To become a proficient automobile engineer, specialized training is essential and it is a profession that requires a lot of hard work, dedication, determination, and commitment. The major task of an Automobile Engineer is the designing, developing, manufacturing and testing of vehicles from the concept stage to the production stage. This broad field of engineering has many subsections and the areas of specialization include engine systems, electronics and control systems, fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, aerodynamics, supply chain management, etc. It involves understanding the mechanism of vehicle chassis, internal combustion Engine, electrical systems, Motor transport affairs, workshop technology, research, and design.

 Automobile Engineers are mainly classified into three streams like Product or Design Engineers, Development Engineers and Manufacturing Engineers. Product Engineers or Design Engineers are those who deal with the designing and testing of the components and systems of automobiles. They design and test each part of the visualized automobile, seeing that it meets all requirements, performs as required, that the material meets desired durability, and so on.

Manufacturing Engineers deal with activities like how to create and assemble the whole parts of automobiles. They have to design and layout the equipment, machine rates and line rates, specification of automation equipment, and manufacturing safety procedures.

Those who deal with connecting all systems in a completed automobile are called Development engineers. They have the responsibility for directing the delivery of the engineering elements of a complete automobile as ordered by the automobile manufacturer, governmental regulations, and the customer who buys the product. Development Engineers have to provide the Production Engineer details about the spring rate that he would want to utilize in the vehicle. 

How to become an Automobile technician?

Students who have a strong foundation in mathematics, physics, chemistry, biotechnology, and computer science can find a lucrative career in the field of Automobile Engineering. Numerous institutes all over India conduct several undergraduates (B.E / B. Tech degree), postgraduate (M.E / M. Tech) and diploma programs in Automobile engineering.
 

Educational: The basic eligibility criteria for BE / B.Tech in Automobile Engineering is 10+2 or equivalent examination with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics or Biotechnology, Bio-informatics, Biomedical with a fairly high percentage of marks in the aggregate. After pursuing the bachelor's degree (B.E/B Tech), one can go for a post-graduate degree; i.e. M.E/ M.Tech. and after that one can take up a Ph.D. degree. 

After the 10th one can also choose the diploma program in Automobile Engineering and after the diploma, they can take up a PG diploma, or even an Engineering degree as some colleges give admission to diploma holders with 50% marks. In certain engineering colleges, mechanical engineering students can opt for Automobile engineering as an optional subject. 

 Selection: Admission to the B.E/ B.Tech courses is made based on the marks obtained in +2 and the merit in the entrance examinations (e.g. IIT JEE, AIEEE, BITSAT, state entrance Exams, etc.) conducted both at national and state level. In-state Entrance exam selection will be based on the rank obtained in the entrance exam. Selection to the M.E/M. Tech courses are through the GATE examination (The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering). Diploma holders can take the AMIE examination to be equivalent to the degree holder. Admissions to some of the institutions are made by their separate entrance exams.

Duration: BE / B.Tech courses in Automobile Engineering are of 4 years (8 semesters) duration while ME/ M.Tech degree and Post Graduate Diploma courses in Automobile Engineering are of 2 years, Diploma courses in Automobile Engineering are of 3 years and the Ph.D. course is of 2 years.

Employment Opportunities for Automobile technician :

 Automobile Industry has been booming in recent times, due to the growing demand for vehicles and the job prospects for automobile engineers have also increased rapidly both in India and abroad. The work of automobile engineers involves planning, designing, developing, manufacturing and testing the performance and efficiency of automobiles and their parts including the Engine chassis and transmission systems. They design new models by keeping a view in their minds about the performance, capability, strength, and appearance of the automobiles and also the expenditure for its manufacture and maintenance. The major responsibility of an Automobile Engineer in maintaining the high standard of vehicles by using traditional methods and state of the art technology.

This field offers a wide range of opportunities for the aspirants and it includes automobile manufacturing industries, production plants, service stations, state road transport corporations, private transport companies, insurance companies, motor vehicle departments, etc. With the computer knowledge in CAD (Computer-Aided Design), CAM (Automation), ERP, Automobile engineers can find employment in computer-aided industries as Designers or they can design models of vehicles by joining the Research and Development wing of companies. Diploma holders in Automobile engineering can start their business enterprises like automobile maintenance workshop or automobile garages. Automobile maintenance Engineers are offered the post of general supervision of mechanics in a workshop, factory or garage. B. tech holders in automobile engineering with an MBA degree could reach the frontline in marketing management careers. 

Candidates with master's degrees and with 5 years experience in teaching at the graduate level or industrial experience in a reputed firm can get employment as a lecturer. Ph.D. degree holders in Automobile Engineering can work as a researcher or scientist and can further help in the development of the field
 

Some of the career prospects in the field of automobile engineering are :

Automobile Engineering Technicians
Safety Engineering
Emissions Research
NVH ( Noise, Vibration, and Harshness) Engineers
Performance Engineer
Vehicle Dynamics Controller
Operations Research
Designing 
Globalization and the incredible growth of the automobile industry have resulted in numerous opportunities for automobile engineers abroad as well. Qualified candidates with excellent communication skills are very much in demand in the reputed international companies like Volvo, Ashok Leyland, Telco, Ford, Hyundai, Maruti, etc. 


There are many skill-based courses in the automobile industry that you can pursue to enhance your knowledge and skills. Here are some examples of short courses in the automobile industry that you can consider:

Automotive Technology: This course will teach you about the working principles and components of modern automobiles, including engines, transmissions, brakes, and suspension systems.

Automotive Electronics: This course will teach you about the electronic systems used in modern automobiles, including sensors, microcontrollers, and communication networks.

Vehicle Design and Styling: This course will teach you about the principles of vehicle design and styling, including sketching, rendering, and computer-aided design (CAD) techniques.

Automotive Service and Maintenance: This course will teach you about the maintenance and repair of modern automobiles, including engine tuning, brake servicing, and electrical diagnosis.

Automotive Manufacturing: This course will teach you about the various processes involved in the manufacturing of automobiles, including welding, stamping, and assembly line operations.

Automotive Sales and Marketing: This course will teach you about the sales and marketing strategies used in the automotive industry, including market research, advertising, and customer relationship management.

These are just a few examples of the many skill-based courses available in the automobile industry. It's important to identify your specific interests and career goals to choose the course that best suits your needs.

 Median Pay Scale/salary of Automobile technician :
The remuneration depends on the status of the industry and experience, qualifications and ability of the employee. A fresh graduate in automobile engineering can earn a monthly salary of Rs.15,000 to Rs.20,000.The candidates from well-known technological institutions like IITs, NITs, and BITS will get high pay packages according to their academic excellence and skills.

 The remuneration will increase up to Rs 40,000 per month after having three or four years of experience. Best car manufacturing companies like Honda, Audi, Skoda, etc offers awesome pay along with several perks.