Automotive Design Engineer

じどうしゃせっけいぎじゅつしゃ

Industry & Occupation

Engineering & Manufacturing

Classification

Summary

Designs automobile structures and parts, creates drawings and performs analyses using CAD, and optimizes performance, cost, and safety through prototyping. A technical occupation.

Description

Automotive design engineers handle structural and layout design for automobile bodies, chassis, engine parts, etc. They create models using CAD, perform structural analysis using mechanics of materials and strength calculations, vibration and fatigue analysis, etc., and verify the balance of performance, safety, and cost. They evaluate prototypes, coordinate with partner manufacturers, and promote specifications for mass production. Adaptation to new technologies such as environmental regulation compliance, lightweighting, EV conversion, and integration with autonomous driving is also required.

Future Outlook

With strengthening environmental regulations and the spread of EV and autonomous driving technologies, demand is expanding for advanced CAE analysis, new materials, and new structural designs. Design process efficiency using simulation technologies and digital twins is advancing, so demand for highly specialized design engineers will continue to increase.

Personality Traits

Logical Thinking / Meticulous / Problem-Solving Oriented

Work Style

Client On-Site / Contract Development / Flexitime / In-House Development / Partial Remote Work Allowed

Career Path

Junior Design Engineer → Senior Design Engineer → Lead Engineer → Development Project Manager → Technical Director

Required Skills

3DCAD Operation / Drawing Creation (2D/3D) / Mechanics of Materials / Structural Analysis / Vibration Fatigue Analysis

Recommended Skills

CFD Analysis / FEM Analysis / Project Management / Reading English Technical Documents

Aptitudes (Strengths Preferred)

Item Description
Analytical & Logical Thinking Because it requires theoretical analysis and optimization of complex structures.
Attention to Detail & Accuracy Because design errors directly affect safety and quality.
Numerical & Quantitative Analysis Advanced mathematical analysis skills are required for handling mechanics of materials and analysis calculations.
Problem Solving Because it is necessary to resolve issues from analysis results and improve performance.

Aptitudes (Weaknesses Acceptable)

Item Description
Physical Stamina & Endurance Primarily desk work in an office environment with relatively low physical demands.

Related Qualifications

  • CAD Utilization Engineer Examination
  • Professional Engineer (Mechanical Department)

Aliases

  • Car Body Design Engineer
  • Vehicle Design Engineer

Related Jobs

  • CAE Engineer
  • Mechanical Design Engineer
  • Prototype Engineer

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