wat does it take to become an engineer on a car design team

eurotrotter · 11-08-2005 11:21PM #1

i have been a car fanatic all my life
i was just wondering wat level of education is rewuired to become a member on a car design team as an engineer?
must oe have a phd or can you just have a degree
anyone have any idea
all comments appreciated
thankks in advance

pauln · 12-08-2005 11:16AM

I can't answer your main question as to the level of education required for sure but I can hazard a quess as to what the basics might be.

If it was the design side your interested in i.e. how the car looks/its shape etc then some sort of degree in Art with maybe a masters in Automotive Design might get you started down the road.

But if its the engineering side your into then id say a Degree in Automotive Engineering/Mechanical Engineering or something similar with a masters is the way to go. If your aim were formula one cars i'd nearly say Aeronautical Engineering would be a good way to go as at that level the cars have more in common with Airplanes then road cars.

Here's a good article I found about the engineering team behind the new Ford GT, it gives information about the guys qualifications (most are mech engs and have a masters).

I'd say keep looking around at the different manufactures websites and see if you can find more information on there design teams.

Hope that helps.

Hercule · 12-08-2005 11:27AM

If you wanted to go into the design stage in terms of engines, internal parts etc. you should do mechanical and maybe aeronautical (as mentioned above) engineering but if you wanted to specialise in the appearance of the car I would recommend this course in DIT - FT001 Product Design this new course deals with the more design side of engineering, this is if you wanted to work on the bodywork, size and shape of the car mainly.

Either way you choose these careers are hard to get into in Ireland and will almost certainly involve working abroad. This was what I wanted to do (and still wud like to) when I joined product design.
I wish you luck on whatever u decide to do!

eurotrotter · 12-08-2005 01:45PM

thanks lads fort all the help
thanks

Nukem · 12-08-2005 02:19PM

Guy i know was just hired by Jaguar to help them develop their new engine. He actually fell into it by accident,he did a project on an engine a very theoretical idea and off the wall but a Jag engineer heard of it and they want the idea for themselves. Flew him over to give a presentation and away he went. He did Mech Eng -
Nukem

bandraoi · 12-08-2005 04:26PM

Mech Eng, work your ass off, do third and fourth year projects on related areas, get good grades throughout. Try to find work placements in relevant companies during the summer. Possibly follow up with a Dip or Masters in design of cars.

Wavey · 16-08-2005 08:45AM

If you definately want to get into automotive than u will have to go to the uk or continent.

Jaguar Cars pluck people out of Coventry Uni in the UK and have a very impressive testing centre.

DIT Bolton St and Kevin St have links to Coventry Uni so that would be a good route to take. (Its the one I took)

Definately need to start with a pretty broad Mech Eng course to cover all the aspects of the automotive design field that you may become involved in.

PhD is not necassary but An MPhil/Msc is the standard in the industry.

Anway good luck to ya.

bobwozhere · 16-08-2005 07:33PM

Or you could try mech eng in ucd? they are involved with the formula student project, i.e for your final year project you and a team of other undergrad/ postgrads design, build and race the car against other international teams. It'd be a good start. Friends of mine from the course have done work placements with mercedes and rolls royce so far, so it must be well recognised.
here a link: http://www.ucdracing.com/

PlayaFlow · 16-08-2005 07:42PM

Becoming a car designer was always my dream to.
If your really are interested , this is the best site for it : www.cardesignnews.com
The people there in the forums are very helpfull.

With regards to qualification you need to do a specific design course.
The most appropriate one in Ireland is 'Product Design' in DIT.

There are also specific car design courses in England
'automotive design' in Coventry university is the one I was researching. Royal College In London also have very succesful graduates of Car design.

Just out of curiosity , how old are you?

melekalikimaka · 31-08-2005 11:06PM

Bat Of Eng in Automotive tech in Bolton does nicely

Fmicrochip · 28-09-2005 09:04PM

If you're into the electronics side of things you need to know all about CAN.

Also don't limit yourself to the car companies themselves, check out the companies that make car components, e.g. Delphi (http://www.delphi.com/)
(Although they're not doing too well these days!)

wat does it take to become an engineer on a car design team

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