How to Become an Automotive Product Tester
In spite of bleak forecasts about laid off auto workers and bankrupt companies, automobile manufacturers remain one the major employers in the United States. Engineers make up the largest career group in the automotive industry and perform a significant role in the manufacturing and testing of automobiles. Many of the tasks related to evaluating, inspecting and testing motor vehicles require engineering degrees. Which aspect of automotive testing you choose, as well as the level of professional responsibility you seek, will determine which type of automotive product tester job will be available to you.
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Instructions
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Assess which area of automotive testing interests you. If designing, developing, inspecting and performing quality control tasks appeals to you, pursue the educational training to become an engineer or engineering technician.
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Research the different career paths for an engineer. For example, overseeing the testing and design of automobile components, such as the engine, brakes, suspension and transmission, typically requires a four-year professional degree in mechanical or electric engineering.
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Consider an engineering technician career if you don’t have a bachelor’s degree or prefer not to invest in a four-year educational program. Engineering technicians work under the supervision of engineers and can run tests to determine automotive product quality, durability and performance. It’s possible to get hired for an engineering technician job without formal training. However, most companies prefer a two-year associate degree or training in post secondary engineering classes from an accredited degree program.
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Follow your chosen career path and obtain a bachelor’s degree in engineering or an associate’s degree in engineering technology. You can find engineering technology programs at technical institutes, college extension programs, vocational-technical schools, in the military and at universities.
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Use college career placement services after graduation to search for automotive tester positions. Many universities and technical colleges, such as Farris State University in Grand Rapids, Mich., offer career fairs and on-campus recruiting opportunities with prospective companies or recruiters.
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Prepare your resume. Tailor your resume to match the necessary skills for automotive tester jobs, such as prototype design, computer modeling, operational testing, instrumentation, inspection and safety analysis.
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Target automobile makers, automotive engineering firms, and test laboratories for automotive product tester positions. Review company websites for appropriate openings and apply on-line when possible. Don't overlook potential positions at companies that manufacture automotive parts.
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Become a member of the Society of Automobile Engineers (SAE), the largest association of engineers with 128,000 members. Use the SAE to network with fellow engineers, identify product tester job openings and expand your professional network.
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Tips & Warnings
Some automotive companies, such as Automotive Testing and Development Services, advertise employment openings for qualified test drivers. The job involves driving motor vehicles on selected routes on open roads or over a controlled test site. Minimum requirements for the position include a clear driving record, more than five years driving experience and knowledge of stick shift and automatic transmissions.
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics; Motor Vehicle and Parts Manufacturing
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Engineering Technicians
- SAE International: About SAE
- Ferris State University: Automotive Engineering Technology
- Automotive Testing & Development Services; ATDS at a Glance
- www.schoolsintheusa.com: Automotive Engineer
Resources
- Photo Credit Comstock/Comstock/Getty Images
