Skip navigation

Automotive Engineering Technicians - 17-3027.01

O*NET-SOC Description

Assist engineers in determining the practicality of proposed product design changes and plan and carry out tests on experimental test devices or equipment for performance, durability, or efficiency.

Sample of Reported Job Titles

  • Laboratory Technician (Lab Technician)
  • Research Technician

SOC Occupation Groups

Related Occupations

Tasks

  • Analyze performance of vehicles or components that have been redesigned to increase fuel efficiency, such as camless or dual-clutch engines or alternative types of air-conditioning systems.
  • Analyze test data for automotive systems, subsystems, or component parts.
  • Build instrumentation or laboratory test equipment for special purposes.
  • Document test results, using cameras, spreadsheets, documents, or other tools.
  • Fabricate new or modify existing prototype components or fixtures.
  • Improve fuel efficiency by testing vehicles or components that use lighter materials, such as aluminum, magnesium alloy, or plastic.
  • Inspect or test parts to determine nature or cause of defects or malfunctions.
  • Install equipment, such as instrumentation, test equipment, engines, or aftermarket products, to ensure proper interfaces.
  • Maintain test equipment in operational condition by performing routine maintenance or making minor repairs or adjustments as needed.
  • Monitor computer-controlled test equipment, according to written or verbal instructions.
  • Order new test equipment, supplies, or replacement parts.
  • Participate in research or testing of computerized automotive applications, such as telemetrics, intelligent transportation systems, artificial intelligence, or automatic control.
  • Perform or execute manual or automated tests of automotive system or component performance, efficiency, or durability.
  • Read and interpret blueprints, schematics, work specifications, drawings, or charts.
  • Recommend product or component design improvements, based on test data or observations.
  • Recommend tests or testing conditions in accordance with designs, customer requirements, or industry standards to ensure test validity.
  • Set up mechanical, hydraulic, or electric test equipment in accordance with engineering specifications, standards, or test procedures.
  • Test performance of vehicles that use alternative fuels, such as alcohol blends, natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas, biodiesel, nano diesel, or alternative power methods, such as solar energy or hydrogen fuel cells.

Detailed Work Activities

  • Analyze operational data to evaluate operations, processes or products.
  • Analyze test or validation data.
  • Create physical models or prototypes.
  • Design electronic or computer equipment or instrumentation.
  • Document design or operational test results.
  • Inspect finished products to locate flaws.
  • Install instrumentation or electronic equipment or systems.
  • Maintain test equipment.
  • Monitor the productivity or efficiency of industrial operations.
  • Operate industrial equipment.
  • Purchase materials, equipment, or other resources.
  • Recommend technical design or process changes to improve efficiency, quality, or performance.
  • Research advanced engineering designs or applications.
  • Review technical documents to plan work.
  • Test green technologies or processes.
  • Test performance of electrical, electronic, mechanical, or integrated systems or equipment.
  • Test products for functionality or quality.

Military Crosswalk Titles

  • Automatic Test Systems Operator/Maintainer (Army - Enlisted)
  • Automotive Maintenance Warrant Officer (Army - Warrant Officer only)
  • Mission Generation Vehicular Equipment Maintenance (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Mission Generation Vehicular Equipment Maintenance Apprentice (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Mission Generation Vehicular Equipment Maintenance Apprentice, Firefighting and Refueling Vehicle and Equipment Maintenance (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Mission Generation Vehicular Equipment Maintenance Craftsman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Mission Generation Vehicular Equipment Maintenance Helper (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Mission Generation Vehicular Equipment Maintenance Helper, Firefighting and Refueling Vehicle and Equipment Maintenance (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Mission Generation Vehicular Equipment Maintenance Journeyman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Mission Generation Vehicular Equipment Maintenance Journeyman, Firefighting and Refueling Vehicle and Equipment Maintenance (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Mission Generation Vehicular Equipment Maintenance, Apprentice, Material Handling Equipment (MHE)/463L Maintenance (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Mission Generation Vehicular Equipment Maintenance, Helper, Material Handling Equipment (MHE)/463L Maintenance (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Mission Generation Vehicular Equipment Maintenance, Journeyman, Material Handling Equipment (MHE)/463L Maintenance (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Unit Supply Specialist (Army - Enlisted)

Apprenticeship Crosswalk Titles

  • Cryogenics/Superconducting Magnet Technician

DOT Crosswalk Titles

  • Auto-Design Checker