Getting into the car industry?

BFassassin

Hi,
Car design and engineering has always interested me and its something that I would like to try and do. What ways are there to get into this industry?
Im 22 and have already been to college to do mechanical engineering but unfortunately I never got my qualification due to maths being my weakest subject. I know thats a major part of any type of engineering so it more than likely would be a problem. Im a fairly competent at using Cad though and this would be the side I would be aiming at more.
I watch a lot of the car programs on discovery channel and it just looks like my dream job.
Well thanks for reading and hopefully you can point me in the right direction.

I don't think there's much happening in this country, so you might have to go abroad to be in with a chance. I'm not sure where's the best place to start though - perhaps have a look at some of the major car producers to see if vacancies exist?

BFassassin

Thanks Myth.
I knew that there would be very little opportunities in this country.
Do you think it would be worthwhile to go back to college to do another course?

I honestly don't know - I can't speak from the perspective of an employer in the car industry looking to hire people.

If you don't get much of an answer here perhaps do a quick google for some UK motor forums, they might have some people involved in it there. But you might just get someone who is working there on here, so I'll just shut up and leave you alone now

BFassassin

I appreciate your input. It will be interesting to see what other people think though.

Timmaay

The going back to college chose is a tough one, a degree is a basic requirement for a hell of a lot of design/cad jobs. But how much would you really benefit from going back to study mech again? If you only want to work with cad, all that maths is a waste of time, Feckin differentail eqns/ complex variables or whatever arent going to help you in the slightest to design a car. However having a good grounding in mechanics of materials/thermo/fluids can all be important for when you're designing a car component and need to be able to see the bigger picture.
How much actual work with cad do you have? What programs do you use?

The only job i ever saw in Ireland that was related to cars was with Timoney Technologies, who were looking for an engineer for heavy vehicle design. I would have jumped at the chance other than it was all the way up in navan. These are the sort of companies you could try to send off a cv to, if you make a good impression with them and show them that you are very capable/practical and good at cad, you could be in luck.

What qualification were you going for? you could go back to college and get a diploma or basic degree instead of a BE.

BFassassin

Thanks Timmay. I have used a program called Microstations when I was at college and I now use hsb Architectural Autocad in my current job but tbh the hsb settings are so well set up that I have very little input into whats going on. My current job is in the building trade and we all know what way its going hence the decision to change.

I dont think I would go back to college to do mech eng again but I was thinking more along the lines of something more specific to the car industry. i dont know if such courses exist though.

This is something that I came across last night and it looks very promising but unfortunately applications are closed for it at the minute.
http://www.grouplotus.com/engineering/lotus_training_scheme.html

chris85

BFassassin wrote: »

Thanks Timmay. I have used a program called Microstations when I was at college and I now use hsb Architectural Autocad in my current job but tbh the hsb settings are so well set up that I have very little input into whats going on. My current job is in the building trade and we all know what way its going hence the decision to change.

I dont think I would go back to college to do mech eng again but I was thinking more along the lines of something more specific to the car industry. i dont know if such courses exist though.

This is something that I came across last night and it looks very promising but unfortunately applications are closed for it at the minute.
http://www.grouplotus.com/engineering/lotus_training_scheme.html

That scheme says engineers will be placed on technical roles and non engineers will be placed in business roles. Dont think you are interested in the business side of things.

if you are interested in cars would you consider becoming a mechanics, you would need to do an aprenticeship which would mean a drop in pay but if its what you wanna do then do it.

Most other roles will require an engineering degree im afraid. Unless you can get in as an assembly line worker and work your way up. I dont think you will just be able to get in a program for design as degrees are looked at for these positions.

BFassassin

Yeah I had pretty much come to that conclusion myself. I might have to look into going back to get a degree so I can do it.

foamcutter

Car design and engineering has always interested me and its something that I would like to try and do

It might be worth looking at product design if you are into design / engineering their maybe more openings in this area and you can then look for places in the automotive sector. Check out product design forums

BFassassin

Thanks foamcutter. Ill definately look into that option. That forum looks very helpfull.

BFassassin

BFassassin wrote: »

Yeah I had pretty much come to that conclusion myself. I might have to look into going back to get a degree so I can do it.

Engineering is basically the same process over a range of products.
It seems illogical to me to have an idea that you would get more pleasure from the process if you were drawing cars rather than houses.

Are you a practical person? Do you already know the ins and out of vechiles from your own interest?

How much of college did you do?

BFassassin

I know that engineering is fairly similar no matter what sector its in. I have more of an interest in cars than I do of houses so I think I would get more out of a job like that.
I know quite a bit about cars but my knowledge is almost all from books etc.
I have done two years of the mechanical engineering course. i failed maths in my second year. If I had of passed it I would have gotten a certificate.

Stercus Accidit

This is something that interests me too actually, I left engineering, am getting an architectural design degree at the moment, and work in CAD.

But would love to get into car design, but it just always felt like a dream job rather than a possibility.

Go for it mate, I'll probably end up stuck designing fcuking social housing for the rest of my life if I don't get a move on myself.

Don1

I reckon try get a qualification in Industrial Design. I work in an engineering company and the guy opposite me does loads of SolidWorks 3D modelling of machine parts we make. With experience in this area, without and engineering qualification, I reckon it's the best way.
I also want into the motor industry, just not yet. Once my German is up to scratch Stuttgart here I come.

(I am an engineer though. BEng - Mech Eng, MSc. CAD/CAME)

chris85

Don1 wrote: »

I reckon try get a qualification in Industrial Design. I work in an engineering company and the guy opposite me does loads of SolidWorks 3D modelling of machine parts we make. With experience in this area, without and engineering qualification, I reckon it's the best way.
I also want into the motor industry, just not yet. Once my German is up to scratch Stuttgart here I come.

(I am an engineer though. BEng - Mech Eng, MSc. CAD/CAME)

Throwing your letters out there i see :D

Don1

Shameless pimpage! I'm not proud.........

Darren1o1

I worked in Germany at an large automotive (components) firm for my college work placement and inquired about working there. Generally speaking the types they hire have a Diplom which is similar to our masters, they generally make exceptions with experience but as a grad your best chance would be to get your bachelors and then a masters before trying. I was working in an R and D department and everyone had either a masters/diplom or a phd. I believe it is similar in the UK (most have mengs). However stateside they take people with bachelors (I managed to get offered interviews there before taking my current job). Only problem with that is the whole visa issue.

I have friends in Japan working in industry, with a bachelors that might be worthwhile doing (Maybe under that JET programme?) but I think you would need your bachelors or some awesome work experience.

BFassassin

I was looking at a few college courses last week and this one seems interesting. The only thing is it contains quite a lot of maths orientated subjects.
http://www.ul.ie/admissions/newprospectus/Undergraduate/colleges/engineering/LM074.shtml

Darren1o1

BFassassin wrote: »

I was looking at a few college courses last week and this one seems interesting. The only thing is it contains quite a lot of maths orientated subjects.
http://www.ul.ie/admissions/newprospectus/Undergraduate/colleges/engineering/LM074.shtml

That is similar to the course that was required for my internship. Sounds good. Another option (where i went) is DCU's mechanical and manufacturing (formerly computer aided mechanical and manufacturing) or mechatronic eng. They have one or two placements abroad every year in GKN which is a tier one (i am nearly certain) supplier for firms. I worked in R&D there doing FEA (Computer simulation of physical situations) and the likes. I enjoyed it allot. I would definitely recommend going to a course where you do some sort of internship as part, it was a HUGE part of me getting my job, now a design engineer.

Hope this helps.

BFassassin

Thanks Darren1o1 thats some good info.
I know who to ask if I have any specific questions as well

daveyj

Hey BFassassin,

I am an engineer working as an engineer in the automotive industry. I design and build motorbikes now but have worked on track, sprint, rally and drag cars before. I'll try to give you a balanced opinion on your situation but the final choice should always be yours (e.g. take peoples opinions into consideration but take them with a pinch of salt, you can never be sure of random bloggers integrity. Seek advice, weigh up your options and be smart). First off, I would definitely recommend continuing studying. You have nothing to lose by continuing and nothing to gain by dropping out. If you have done 2 years already thats a lot of work to throw away. I have a friend who did 4 years failed his finals and the repeats (maths was his downfall also) and he never went back. Now he has to go into interviews saying that he's an extremely competent however unqualified engineer. Don't make the same mistake! Take maths grinds and overcome your obstacle. In my view it's no big swingers if someone has a degree but it does help you along and will always stand to you. That brings me onto my next point. Having an engineering degree is not paramount, where in the field of automotive design other disciplines are utilised just as much, if not more. Like you said yourself you have an interest in CAD. That's fantastic. An ex co-worker of mine was a CAD/CAM technician in the performance automotive industry. His maths ability was average. He trained for 2 years, was a certified (maybe diploma, can't remember) and was in charge of all drawings being sent to the machining centres for custom auto part fabrication. He could look out his office window and see race cars being built with bits he was designing. Not an engineer but not necessary. Everything was over-engineered, and critical sizings and material choices were made by the lead engineer anyway, whose maths ability was average also.
As has been mentioned before there is also other courses you can do and you are well able to judge them for yourself. If I can be of any help putting you in touch with a CAD technician, product designer, automotive engineer or other then let me know. I went through college and am now in the industry so i have collected a few numbers on the way that i could pass on.
The last thing I will recommend is two companies with auto parts design sections that i have had dealings with are "TDP" (trackday performance) in Rathnew, Co. Wicklow, and Timoney Technologies, which is near Navan town. They would be the ones to contact when you have obtained whatever academic qualification you decide on. I hope this has been of some help.
Best of luck for the future
Dave

BFassassin

Thanks very much dave. Thats valuable information that you have given me. Can I ask what course/college did you go to?

Also what type of computer aided design do most companies use. Is it mainly autocad or would it be benificial to have some solidworks experience?

enda1

CATIA for body work, panels etc., and ProEngineer for chassis and engine parts etc.

Think of it as surface based design v solid based design. I can see a growing move towards the employment of CATIA for all design however.

Its all 3D these days though so to be honest, AutoCAD isn't used much, though the experience will stand to you as the skills are transferable.

If you want to work in Design for a European OEM where you are designing car parts/components, you have to be a degree level qualified engineer by law (as far as I know). So strive for this as much as you can because otherwise you will severely limit your options.

Good luck.

daveyj

Bolton Street Mech eng. In industry I have used mainly Solid Works although i'm way better using solidedge! Solidworks transfers better to CADCAM machinery. Then I've used CAD and g-code. I'm sure that there is way better more powerful software out there, maybe the likes of what the last poster mentioned but I am not familiar.