Automotive Career Guide

The Automotive industry offers a wide range of opportunities for all kinds of talent. Given the constantly evolving nature of automotive technology and design, from self driving vehicles to electric cars, it’s also an exciting sector to work in. Few industries attract such a broad and diverse range of talent, with a need for designers, engineers, drivers, mechanics, and sales teams. Given the crucial role vehicles play in logistics and supply chains, it’s also a sector that crosses over into almost every other industry.

Self-driving autonomous car with relaxed young man sitting at driver seat is driving on busy highway road in the city.

Potential Roles in the Automotive Industry

Here, we’ll look at some of roles available in the automotive industry. There are many more than this of course, but the roles below tend to be the most common ones exclusive to the sector:

Driver: This job can require driving HGVs, vans, or cars as part of a company’s supply chain, customer-facing service, or as part of a corporate fleet.

Car Dealer: A good role for those that love working with people, car dealers normally handle the showcasing and selling of the latest models. A keen interest in automotive technology and customer service can be very helpful for dealers.

Mechanic/Technician: Most car dealerships have their own mechanics and technicians, which means there is often quite high demand for mechanics. There are also plenty of opportunities for qualified mechanics to freelance, work as part of a wider garage or breakdown network, or for small independent companies as well.

Automotive Engineer: This role involves designing, developing, and manufacturing new automotive vehicles and products, as well as improving existing ones. The job often requires identifying engineering or design issues, and solving these as effectively as possible. Both design and engineering qualifications are essential for any automotive engineering position.

Salary and Career Progression

Salaries can vary given the diverse nature of the roles in the automotive sector. Generally speaking, the more qualifications and experience you have, the greater your earning potential. This is especially true for more specialised roles like automotive engineers.

Drivers tend to earn around £30,000 per year on average and drivers in the US tend to earn an average of around $60,000. This can increase, depending on experience, location, distance and the employer. Long-haul drivers might earn higher salaries compared to local or regional drivers.

Car dealer salaries in the UK can range between £15,000 to £53,000 per year while salaries in the US can range between $30,000 – $70,000. These salaries can vary depending on factors such as experience, location, dealership size and commission structures. Commission structures are very common for car dealers and for both the UK and US high-performing salespeople who excel in selling high-end or a significant volume of vehicles may earn above the average range.

Car Mechanics/Technicians in the UK can also expect to start off on fairly low salaries, but earnings can increase over time. Initial take-home salaries fall into the region of £18,000 per year, but can rise to £35,000 in more senior roles. Salaries in the US tend to range between $30,000 – $60,000 per year. These salaries depend on factors such as experience, qualifications, employer, location and specialisation.

Automotive engineers can earn anything from £20,000 to £28,000 initially. Medium level positions, and gaining chartering, can help increase salaries to anywhere from £30,000, to over £40,000. The most senior positions will come with an earning potential of £60,000 or above, depending on the organisation.

Qualifications, Education and Experience

If you’re considering a career as a driver, you will need a clean driving license at the very least. Additional licenses will be required if you’re planning on driving a bus or HGV. To drive these vehicles, you’ll need:

Be at least 18 years old to obtain a Category C license and at least 21 years old to obtain a Category C+E license.
Have a full standard license
Hold a Driver CPC (Driver Certificate of Professional Competence)
HGV License
Medical Examination
Theory and Practical Tests specific to the category of license they are seeking
NVT (National Vocational Training) Required for new HGV drivers

Getting a Driver CPC usually requires four tests, although if you’re taking an NVT course, you can drive for 12 months without having to take part 2 and part 4 of the CPC.

Be at least 18 years old for intrastate and at least 21 years old for interstate
CDL (Commercial Driver’s License)
Medical Examination

Car dealer roles tend to be more results-focused, so don’t have any specific qualification requirements.

Neither the UK nor US require a mandatory license to become a car mechanic however both countries emphasise formal training and certifications. Some employers will look for related degrees, and it certainly doesn’t hurt to hold one.

Apprenticeship
Vocational qualifications
Employer sponsored training
Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) Certifications

High School Diploma or Equivalent
Formal Education (In Automotive Technology or a related field)
Automotive Technician Training Programs
On-the-Job Training
ASE Certification (Automotive Service Excellence)
Continuing Education

There are multiple paths to becoming an automotive engineer. A combination of education, skills and experience are required in both the UK and US. While it is possible to get into this field without a degree, most employers will want a formal, recognised qualification for automotive engineering roles. Here are some different routes to pursuing your career as an automotive engineer:

Bachelor’s Degree in Automotive Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field
Foundation Degree or HND (Higher National Diploma) in Automotive Engineering
Apprenticeships
Graduate Conversion – If you hold a degree in another discipline you might pursue a postgraduate conversion program

Bachelor’s Degree in Automotive Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field
Associate’s Degree in Automotive Technology
Master’s degree in a relevant field
Internships and co-op programs

While it is possible to get into this field without a degree, most employers will want a formal, recognised qualification for automotive engineering roles.

Mid-section of mechanic with a wrench tool in pocket at garage

Skills

Driver
The following soft skills can be useful for drivers:

Organisation
Patience
Concentration
Good at plotting routes and map reading
Happy to work potentially long and anti-social hours

Car Dealer
Car dealerships tend to focus more on skills than qualifications when it comes to hiring. With that in mind, the following can be helpful if you’re planning a career in care sales:

Excellent communication skills
Emotional intelligence
Ability to sell
Self-motivation
Positive attitude

Car Mechanic/Technician
Being a car mechanic requires practical thinking and problem-solving. You’ll also need:

Good attention to detail
Excellent levels of concentration
Good communication skills (for dealing with customers)
Able to work under pressure

Automotive Engineer
Automotive engineers need a variety of supporting skills to complement their qualifications. In addition to a good eye for design, understanding industry trends and consumer demand, the following skills will be fundamental:

A good eye for detail
Able to work well as part of a team, but also autonomously
Good written, verbal and presentation skills
Organisation
Project planning and execution
Excellent industry and commercial awareness

Working Hours

Working hours for drivers are strictly regulated for safety reasons, and this applies no matter what vehicle you might be driving. The UK domestic limit is capped at ten hours. If you’re driving a goods vehicle, then you can be on duty for a maximum of 11 hours. This extends to 16 hours if you’re driving a passenger-carrying vehicle like a bus or taxi. HGV drivers also have to take a break every four and a half hours by law. In 2024, the U.S. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) revised its hours of service regulations for commercial drivers, aiming to enhance both flexibility and safety. Notable updates include the extension of the short-haul limit to 150 air-miles and permitting a 14-hour work shift within this framework, the allowance of an additional 2-hour extension to the driving window under adverse driving conditions, a new requirement for a 30-minute break after 8 consecutive hours of driving, and an adjustment to the sleeper berth rule which now allows a mix of rest periods that total a minimum of 10 hours.

Car dealers are often expected to put in long hours too. 40 to 45 hour weeks are fairly common, as is working at the weekend. That said, many car dealerships and car sales employers often allow some degree of flexible working within an overall schedule.

Car mechanics, much like car dealers, often work around 40 hours per week as well. Again, these hours can also include evening and weekend work as required. That said, freelance car mechanics can manage their schedules and set their own hours as required.

Working hours for an automotive engineer are similar to standard working hours (nine to five). As with many other jobs in this sector though, there are often occasions when engineers will be required to work in excess of 40 hours per week – this is especially true when working on large projects or to tight schedules.

A car dealer hands car keys to a new buyer sat in a red car.

Notable Locations

Driving jobs are usually available in a variety of locations across the UK, although you are more likely to find delivery and taxi opportunities in major cities. If you’re looking for HGV or goods delivery roles, it’s worth noting that the Midlands has the largest collection of warehouses in the UK, which makes it a major logistics hub. Driving jobs in the US are available across the country, but certain regions and cities are known for offering more opportunities like economic activity, population, and transportation infrastructure. New York, California, Illinois, Georgia, Texas and Florida are just some of the notable locations with a high demand of driving jobs across various sectors.
Cities will also tend to provide the most opportunities for both car dealers and car mechanics. There are often a number of high-end car dealerships in more well-off areas like Mayfair in London, or parts of the South East. It’s also a good idea to look into potential opportunities in Harrogate, the UK’s luxury car capital. The same locations are also full of potential for car mechanics, and cities tend to have a wide range of both independent and corporate garages and recovery services that can provide opportunities as well. In the US, car dealers and car mechanics can be found in many cities and towns across the country. California, Texas, Michigan and Florida are some of the most popular areas with a high concentration, reflecting the diverse automotive landscape across the country.
Manufacturing centres can be a good place for automotive engineers career-wise. Derby, Sunderland and Milton Keynes are all major locations in the UK for automotive manufacturing. Sunderland has a large Nissan plant, while Milton Keynes is home to Red Bull racing, for example. Michigan, California, Georgia and Texas represent some of the notable locations in the US where automotive engineers can find job opportunities in various aspects of the automotive industry.
Always keep in mind that opportunities can be available anywhere – the above locations are just suggestions on where to start looking for certain career paths.

Notable Companies

When it comes to driving, many companies have logistics departments, which are always worth checking. Some examples of companies that run all or part of their own supply chain and require goods drivers are:

Sainsburys (UK)
Tesco (UK)
Asda(UK)
Eddie Stobart (UK)
Greggs
DHL (Global)
Amazon (Global)
UPS (Global)
FedEx (Global)
Schneider National Inc (US)
PepsiCo Ltd (US)
Ryder System Inc (US)

Those looking to get into car dealership may want to look at the following companies, as these are the largest in the UK and US – it’s also good to look for manufacturer licensed local dealerships.

Pendragon (UK)
Inchcape(UK)
Arnold Clark (UK)
Sytner (UK)
Lookers (UK)
AutoNation (US)
Penske Automotive Group (US)
Lithia Motors (US)
Group 1 Automotive (US)

Car mechanics in the UK and US might want to consider looking for opportunities at the following companies:

Kwikfit (UK)
Halfords (UK)
Protyre (UK)
ATS Euromaster (UK)
Firestone Complete Auto Care (US)
Pep Boys (US)
Jiffy Lube (US)
Goodyear Auto Service (US)

There are also many franchise and independent businesses in this field.

Automotive engineers are often in demand at major car manufacturers, as well as general automotive technology companies, including:

Bentley (UK)
Jaguar Land Rover (UK)
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars (UK)
Toyota Motor Manufacturing (Global)
Ford (Global)
Tesla (US)
General Motors – GM (US)
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) /Stellantis (US

Next Steps

If you’re actively looking for any of the roles above, then make sure to register with JobLookup and set up custom email alerts. That way you won’t miss out on the latest opportunities. We’ve got loads of tips and guides for jobseekers too – perfect if you need to brush up your CV or interview technique.