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, what degree you need, and what the career paths look like, see our complete guide to automotive engineering. This guide picks up where that one leaves off: 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, salary ranges, and how OEM work differs from supplier work, that’s all covered in the main automotive engineering guide. The rest of this article focuses specifically on how to actually land that first role.

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

A bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, or a related field is the standard entry point into automotive engineering (see the main guide for the full breakdown of degree paths). But 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 the skills automotive engineers need day to day and how the industry is evolving with electric and software-defined vehicles, see the main automotive engineering guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

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.