Mechanical and Automobile Engineering
Summary
Mechanical Engineers play a crucial role in developing processes and products, ranging from intricate component designs to massive manufacturing plants. Similarly, automobile engineers are responsible for designing, facilitating, and developing vehicles such as cars and motorcycles. Operating across diverse engineering disciplines, these professionals engage from the product’s inception to final commissioning, overseeing mechanical, electronic, electric, software, and safety elements during manufacturing.
Roles & Responsibilities
#1
Understand the working of various vehicle aspects, including electrical work and engine functionality.
#2
Research, create designs, and develop models of parts, overseeing the assembly process and dictating the entire workshop process.
#3
Test vehicle systems, covering physical and software-based assessments, ensuring safety compliance.
#4
Analyze the cost of designed parts, influencing the company’s pricing strategy for the final product.
#5
Stay updated on safety regulations, adhering to legal rules and regulations in the engineering process.
#5
Stay updated on safety regulations, adhering to legal rules and regulations in the engineering process.
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Career Opportunities in Mechanical and Automobile Engineering
| Area | Opportunities |
|---|---|
| Design | Production |
| Analysis and testing | Installation |
| Maintenance | Maintenance of Aircraft or Missiles |
| Structural engineering | Aesthetic Compatibility |
How to Pursue a Career in Mechanical and Automobile Engineering
| Path | Stream | Graduation | After Graduation | After Post Graduation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Clear Class XII with Science Stream with Maths | Pursue B.Tech in Mechanical/Automobile Engineering for 4 years | Pursue M.Tech for 2-3 years | Pursue Ph.D for 2-3 years |
| 2 | Clear Class XII with Science Stream with Maths | Pursue B.Tech + M.Tech (Dual Degree) in Mechanical/Automobile Engineering for 5 years | – | Pursue Ph.D for 2-3 years |
Important Facts
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Most colleges require a minimum of 50% aggregate marks in Class XII, with some demanding a minimum of 60%. -
Class 12th or senior secondary examination with at least 50% marks, including English, is a must. -
Some exams may require a JEE score as a minimum eligibility criterion. -
Certain colleges/universities have age limits. -
Mechanical & Automobile Engineering is offered in select colleges, with specializations available in some.
Leading Institutes
Top Mechanical and Automobile Engineering Institutes in India
| College | Location | Website |
|---|---|---|
| Indian Institute of Technology | Multiple Locations |
www.iitd.ac.in |
| Birla Institute of Technology | Pilani, Mesra |
www.bits-pilani.ac.in |
| National Institute of Technology, Calicut | Calicut |
www.nitc.ac.in |
| National Institute of Technology, Silchar | Silchar |
www.nits.ac.in |
| National Institute of Technology, Surathkal | Surathkal |
www.nitk.ac.in |
Top Mechanical and Automobile Engineering Institutes in the World
| College | Location | Website |
|---|---|---|
| University of Manchester | Manchester, United Kingdom |
www.manchester.ac.uk |
| University of Bristol | City of Bristol, United Kingdom |
www.bristol.ac.uk |
| University of Edinburgh | Edinburgh, United Kingdom |
www.ed.ac.uk |
| University College London | London, United Kingdom |
www.ucl.ac.uk |
| Imperial College London | London, United Kingdom |
www.imperial.ac.uk |
Electrical and Electronics Engineering Entrance Exams
Undergraduate
| College | Tentative Date | Important Elements | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| Joint Entrance Examination Main (JEE Main) | April | Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry | jeemain.nic.in |
| Joint Entrance Examination Advanced (JEE Advanced) | May/June | Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry | www.jeeadv.ac.in |
| Birla Institute of Technology and Science Admission (BITSAT) | May | Mathematics/Biology Physics, Chemistry, Logical Reasoning, English | bitsadmission.com |
| Vellore Institute of Technology Engineering Entrance Exam (VITEEE) | April | Mathematics/Biology Physics, Chemistry, English | www.vit.ac.in |
Postgraduate
| College | Tentative Date | Important Elements | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) (Postgraduate) | Jan/Feb | All Branches of engineering | www.gate.iisc.ernet.in |
Work Description
-
Perform engineering activities in planning and designing tools, engines, and other mechanically functioning equipment. -
Develop, test, and evaluate theoretical designs. -
Discuss and solve complex problems with manufacturing departments, sub-contractors, suppliers, and customers. -
Monitor and commission plant and systems. -
Develop, coordinate, or monitor all aspects of production or operation of product designs. -
Investigate equipment failures and recommend remedial measures. -
Develop or test models of alternate designs or processing methods. -
Research and analyze customer design proposals, manuals, or other data to evaluate cost or maintenance requirements.
What Skills Will I Need To Have To Do This Job Well?
As exciting as this sounds, there are some things you’ll need to learn to do the job right:
Technical Skills
You must know how different systems in a car work together. You should have detailed knowledge about the physics and mathematics involved. You will need to work on a lot of data. You will have to create and assemble different working parts (mechanical and electrical) and must be familiar with the basic theories and workings of each such part.
Creative and Design Skills
Not only will you have to be well-versed with the latest technology available, you will also need to continuously innovate. An auto engineer always tries to improve the existing technology to make it smarter. You must have a creative vision and be able to solve problems. You will have to draw the technical designs of different ideas and visions. Thereafter, you should be able to make working models of these drawings in order to test them.
Determination and Persistence
You will need to experiment several times before accepting a certain change. Multiple tests may be required to certify the safety and usefulness of a particular change. The work of an auto engineer affects a large number of customers especially when one is continuously trying to make technology safer. That is why you need to be careful with what you want to change or work on.
What Will My Workplace Look Like?
Your work environment will be full of research and experimentation. You will be required to report to car factories in order to observe the testing and manufacturing stage. You will test out your ideas and record them properly. You will spend a lot of time on sketchbooks as well as drawing software. The work hours could be a little erratic, depending on the project you are working on. It could be anywhere between 40-55 hours per week with the occasional overtime.
If you choose to teach for a living, your work life will be far more relaxed. You will guide upcoming engineers and help build their skills. The hours will be comparatively easier and will depend on the university you join as a professor.
You could also opt for a mix of the above jobs and become an in-house researcher. This way you are associated with a particular automobile brand. However, in this case, you will work only on theories and research data. The testing will be carried out by others.
Pros & Cons of a Career in Mechanical and Automobile Engineering
Pros
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Learn how to manipulate and build machines. -
Offers extensive learning and growth as it encompasses many other fields. -
Interesting to study and apply as well.
Cons
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Initial Pay Package may not be as lucrative as other fields. -
The subjects are tough to master as the level of technicality is high. -
Have to remain constantly updated on newer technology.
How Much Will I Get Paid?
The actual figure depends on your academic background, the company employing you, and your skills. We can give you a general idea.
-
As a graduate trainee, you can look forward to a monthly payout of even up to INR 30,000. -
After getting a permanent position in the company, you can expect anywhere between INR 4,00,000 – 6,00,000 annually. -
If you stay in the industry long enough, you can earn about INR 25,00,000 – 30,00,000 per year.
If you opt to join a college as a professor, this figure will depend on your qualifications and achievements. The offers begin at around INR 30,000 per month and depend on the college you plan to teach at.