Automotive Engineering: Target Schools & Recruiting Tips

Deciding you want to become an automotive engineer is the easy part. Actually breaking in, especially if you’re not attending one of the schools automotive companies recruit from most heavily, is where most of the real questions come up. For a full overview of what automotive engineers do and the major engineering disciplines, see our complete guide to automotive engineering. This guide picks up where that one leaves off: degree paths, salary, career paths, and the tactical side of actually getting your foot in the door.

A Quick Recap: What Automotive Engineers Do

Automotive engineers are hired by vehicle manufacturers and suppliers to design, develop, and improve vehicles and vehicle systems, from body structure and suspension to powertrain and electronics. If you want the full breakdown of job functions and engineering disciplines, that’s all covered in the main automotive engineering guide. The rest of this article covers what it actually takes to break into the field and build a career in it.

What Degree Do You Need to Become an Automotive Engineer?

A bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering is the most common path into automotive engineering, and it’s what most OEMs and suppliers list as the baseline requirement for entry-level roles. A mechanical engineering curriculum covers the fundamentals, statics, dynamics, thermodynamics, materials, machine design, and manufacturing, that apply directly to vehicle systems.

It isn’t the only path, though. Electrical engineering, computer engineering, materials engineering, and industrial or manufacturing engineering degrees all lead into automotive careers, depending on the specialization. Electrical and computer engineers tend to gravitate toward vehicle electronics and electrical systems, batteries, and software. A smaller number of universities also offer automotive engineering as its own undergraduate degree program, layering vehicle-specific coursework on top of a mechanical engineering foundation, though it’s more common to see automotive engineering offered as a graduate-level program, such as the one at the University of Michigan–Dearborn.

Beyond the degree itself, a lot of specialization happens on the job. Graduate degrees can help engineers move into vehicle dynamics, electric vehicle systems, or engineering management, but plenty of automotive engineers build deep expertise through rotational programs, mentorship, and simply working the same systems for years. This list of recommended reading for aspiring automotive professionals is a good starting point for students weighing the path, and the target-school and recruiting guidance below covers how to actually turn that degree into a job.

How Much Do Automotive Engineers Make?

Automotive engineering salaries vary considerably by specialization, experience, employer, and location, so there’s no single number that represents the whole field. Non-management automotive engineering salaries generally range from about $58,410 to $165,000 across the industry. Pay structures also differ significantly by company — as one real-world example, here’s how Ford structures its non-management engineering salary bands by level:

This is one company’s example, not a representative scale for the entire industry — other OEMs and suppliers structure their levels, titles, and pay bands differently, and location, cost of living, and specialization (for example, EV battery or controls roles versus more traditional mechanical roles) can all shift where an individual engineer lands within that range.

Where Can Automotive Engineers Work?

Automotive engineers don’t all work in the same kind of environment, and where you work shapes what your day-to-day job actually looks like: how much of the vehicle you own, how much you depend on other teams, and how directly your work reaches the finished car. Common places automotive engineers work include:

• Automotive manufacturers (OEMs) — companies like Ford, GM, Toyota, and Stellantis that own the complete vehicle program. OEM engineers are typically responsible for vehicle and system-level requirements, integration, and making sure everything a supplier builds actually works together in the finished vehicle. The whole has to be greater than the sum of its parts.
• Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers — companies that design and manufacture specific systems or components (seats, brakes, electronics, batteries) to an OEM’s requirements. This includes companies such as Magna, Denso, CATL, and Bosch, to name a few. Supplier engineers tend to go much deeper on a single system than their OEM counterparts, but have less visibility into the rest of the vehicle. These engineers often optimize the off-the-shelf parts that OEMs use in their vehicles, such as alternators, seat motors, and airbags.
• Engineering service companies — firms that contract out engineering talent and expertise to OEMs and suppliers, often for specific programs or specialized analysis work. You typically work at the OEM’s site alongside OEM engineers, but your paycheck comes from the contracting firm. These engineers often earn higher pay than direct OEM employees, but with little to no benefits such as paid time off, since they aren’t direct employees of the OEM. They can also be let go more easily and aren’t guaranteed that their contract will be extended.
• Manufacturing facilities — plant-based engineering roles focused on production, tooling, and process, making sure designs from vehicle assembly can be built reliably at volume.
• Testing and validation organizations — independent labs and OEM proving grounds that run the validation testing a design has to pass before it reaches production.
• Motorsports — racing teams and series apply many of the same engineering disciplines (vehicle dynamics, powertrain, aerodynamics) under much tighter development timelines. These engineers are usually on the road and travel extensively, especially during race season.

The clearest engineering distinction is between OEM and supplier work. An OEM engineer usually owns requirements and integration: deciding what a system needs to do within the vehicle, then working with suppliers to get there. A supplier engineer usually owns the design and manufacturing of that system itself, working within requirements someone else wrote. Neither is more senior than the other; they’re just different vantage points on the same vehicle, and many engineers work both sides of that relationship over a career.

Target Schools: Why the Right Program Matters More Than People Think

Now that you know what degree paths lead into the industry, from personal experience, even among great colleges and universities, your chances of landing a role at a specific automotive company increase significantly if you attend a school that company actively recruits from. Here are some of the best automotive engineering college programs in the US that most large automotive companies actively recruit from:

1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) — The Department of Mechanical Engineering at MIT offers a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering with a concentration in automotive engineering.
2. The University of Michigan — The Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Michigan offers several programs related to automotive engineering.
3. Stanford University — The Department of Mechanical Engineering at Stanford University offers a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering with a focus on automotive engineering.
4. Kettering University — Kettering University is a private university in Flint, Michigan that specializes in engineering and technology, with deep automotive industry ties.
5. Michigan State University — MSU also offers a strong automotive engineering program that should be considered when looking at top programs in the US.
6. Ohio State University — Ohio State University (OSU) is another excellent institution that offers a top-tier automotive engineering program.
7. The Pennsylvania State University — Penn State is another top institution that offers a strong automotive engineering program.

These are just a few of the top automotive engineering college programs in the US. When choosing a program, it’s important to check whether the company you want to work for actively recruits from the institution you’re considering.

How to research where your dream company recruits from

To find out where your dream company recruits, use tools like LinkedIn, Google, the company’s official website, and your personal network. You can also explore their social media channels or connect directly with current or former employees for insights.

Dream Companies LinkedIn Profile > People > Where they studied

What to Do If You’re Not Enrolled in a Target School

Great question! I didn’t attend any of the universities listed above for my undergrad, but I was still able to enter the auto industry. So if attending one of those universities isn’t feasible, or you’re already enrolled in another engineering program, my recommendation is to join an engineering professional organization.

Joining engineering professional organizations can offer numerous benefits for individuals pursuing a career in engineering. Some of the most significant benefits include:

• Networking: Professional organizations provide opportunities for members to connect with other professionals in their field, including industry leaders, peers, and potential employers. This can help individuals build relationships and expand their professional network, which can be invaluable in securing internships, jobs, and other opportunities.
• Professional Development: Many engineering organizations offer professional development resources, such as training workshops, mentorship programs, and leadership opportunities. These resources can help members build new skills, stay up-to-date on the latest trends and technologies in their field, and advance their careers.
• Access to Industry Information: Engineering organizations often provide members with access to industry-specific news, reports, and research, helping members stay informed about important developments in their field.
• Career Support: Many engineering organizations offer job boards, career fairs, and other resources to help members find employment opportunities. Some organizations also offer scholarships and other financial support to help members pursue their educational and professional goals.
• Community Involvement: Engineering organizations often provide opportunities for members to get involved in their local communities through outreach and service projects, helping build leadership skills and relationships along the way.

Formula SAE: Race Your Way Into the Industry

If you’re looking for a student organization that puts you in direct contact with practicing automotive engineers, Formula SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) is hard to beat. Hundreds of universities worldwide field teams where students design, build, and race small-scale formula-style cars, competing across different classes depending on their focus—Internal Combustion (IC) for traditional gas-powered engines, Electric (EV) for battery-powered setups, or Formula Hybrid for hybrid-electric drivetrains.

Getting involved is refreshingly straightforward: you can join Formula SAE by finding the student engineering team at your college or university and attending their general interest meetings, no prior racing or engineering experience required to start.

What makes FSAE especially valuable for networking is competition day itself. These events attract engineers from across the automotive industry who volunteer their time as judges, evaluating everything from your car’s design rationale to its cost analysis and business presentation. Unlike a career fair handshake, these interactions happen while you’re defending real engineering decisions to people who make similar decisions professionally—giving you a genuine opportunity to make an impression, ask informed questions, and start building relationships with professionals who may later be reviewing your resume or working alongside you.

Whether you’re drawn to combustion systems, EV powertrains, or hybrid architecture, Formula SAE offers a hands-on way to build technical skills while quietly building your professional network long before graduation.

Engineering Societies Worth Joining

Some of the most popular engineering organizations include the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE), the Society of Women Engineers (SWE), and the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE). Joining one or more of these organizations can provide numerous benefits for individuals pursuing a career in engineering, including networking opportunities, professional development resources, access to industry information, career support, and community involvement. Automotive companies attend events hosted by each of these organizations, making them a great way to get visibility with the people who can open the door for you.

For a broader look at how automotive engineering works day to day and how the industry is evolving with electric and software-defined vehicles, see the main automotive engineering guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do automotive engineers make?
Non-management automotive engineering salaries generally range from about $58,410 to $165,000, though pay varies by specialization, experience, employer, and location. Individual companies structure their pay bands differently, so any single chart, including the Ford example above, represents one company’s approach rather than an industry-wide standard.

Where do automotive engineers work?
Automotive engineers work at OEMs (vehicle manufacturers), Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers, engineering service/consulting companies, manufacturing plants, testing and validation organizations, and motorsports teams. Each offers a different vantage point on the vehicle, and many engineers work multiple sides of that relationship over a career.

Do I need to attend a target school to become an automotive engineer?
No. Attending a school an automotive company actively recruits from improves your odds, but it isn’t required. Joining a professional engineering organization such as SAE, SHPE, SWE, or NSBE is an effective alternative path for getting visibility with automotive employers if you’re not at a target school.

How do I find out which universities a company recruits from?
Use tools like LinkedIn, Google, the company’s official careers page, and your personal network. Searching LinkedIn for current employees and filtering by their university is one of the most direct ways to see where a specific company actually hires from.

What professional societies help with automotive engineering job searches?
The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE), the Society of Women Engineers (SWE), and the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) are among the most useful, since automotive companies regularly attend and recruit at events these organizations host.

What is a target school in automotive engineering recruiting?
A target school is a university that a specific automotive company recruits from consistently and actively, often through campus career fairs, dedicated recruiting relationships, or internship pipelines, making graduates from that school more likely to get an interview.