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Home · Careers · Engineering & Tech

Automotive Engineer (EV + ICE)

Engineering & Tech

Design + build cars + 2-wheelers. India's auto market is world's 3rd largest; EV transition accelerating.

What they actually do

Automotive engineers work on vehicle design, powertrain (engine + battery), chassis, body, electronics. EV transition creating new battery + motor + power electronics specialisations.

A typical day

  • CAD + simulation (CATIA, ANSYS, AVL)
  • Powertrain calibration + testing
  • EV battery + motor design
  • Vehicle dynamics + crash testing
  • Supplier coordination

How to become a Automotive Engineer (EV + ICE)

2 viable paths.

  • BTech Mech / EE → Auto company

    Maruti, Tata, Mahindra, Bajaj recruit from BTech Mech + EE.

  • MS Automotive in US/EU

    For senior + R&D roles.

Qualifications

  • BTech Mechanical / Electrical / Automotive
  • MTech Automotive for specialisations

Skills that matter

  • Engine + powertrain design
  • EV systems (battery management, motor control)
  • CAD + CAE
  • Vehicle dynamics

Salary bands by experience

Wide bands — real salary depends on city, employer, performance. Pick the midpoint for planning.

  • Fresh₹4 - ₹10 LPA
  • 5-10 yr₹10 - ₹25 LPA
  • Senior₹25 - ₹60 LPA

Career growth + employers

Engineer → Sr Engineer → Manager → Head of R&D / Plant Director

Top employers (informational, not endorsement)

  • Maruti, Tata Motors, Mahindra, Bajaj, TVS, Hero
  • Hyundai, Kia, Honda India
  • Ola Electric, Ather, Ampere (EV startups)
  • Bosch, Continental, ZF (suppliers)

Honest pros + cons

Pros

  • India auto market 3rd largest globally
  • EV transition opening new specialisations
  • Strong stability in big-name OEMs

Cons

  • Pay below CS at similar tenure
  • Industry cyclical with vehicle sales
  • Plant postings can be remote

Demand outlook

Strong. EV transition + PLI for autos creating ~10% YoY engineering demand growth.

Related careers

  • Mechanical Engineer

    Design and build physical systems — vehicles, factories, HVAC, aerospace, manufacturing.

  • Electronics Engineer

    VLSI chips, embedded systems, PCB design, RF + comm. Manufacturing-renaissance driven.

Relevant exams

  • JEE MAIN
  • GATE CSE