Automotive Engineering

Meet customer expectations through superior technical performance, all while pushing this emerging industry to new heights.

While the automotive industry is locally classified as an emerging industry and may not be as developed as the local public transportation and infrastructure sectors, it is seeing a change in recent years as the Singapore government is promoting efforts to develop the sector.

This is because Singapore, with its position as an excellent trading hub that possesses first-rate financial assistance and a ready supply of skilled labour from electronics, infocommunications and mechanical engineering, is also a prime location for global automotive companies.

Here, numerous organisations have established their Southeast Asian regional headquarters to carry out strategic activities, distribution, as well as R&D.

Career overview

Set to see great development and career opportunities over the coming few years, the responsibilities expected of those either currently in, or looking to enter, the industry are not limited to just designing and manufacturing vehicles; there are also the maintaining and repairing aspects of the field too.

There are also a variety of peopleoriented roles in distribution, marketing sales, after-sales, regional procurement, and even compliance with local regulatory requirements.

Trends and developments

At present, the global automotive industry is heading in the direction of electronics and software systems, where manual checks of automotive parts are becoming less common, and in-vehicle technology, such as car audio and “carputers”, are on the rise.

This is reflected in Singapore’s local industry, where there has been an increase in demand for software and hardware engineering expertise.

Another significant development is the rise of environmental concerns, which have, in turn, led to efforts in the reduction of carbon emissions. This process usually begins in R&D, and may include dabbling in attempts to boost fuel efficiency by manipulating the vehicle’s weight through its material make-up.

During these instances, automotive engineering must work to strike a balance between standard safety measures, efficient energy consumption, and responsibility to the environment.

Career highlights

Diverse learning opportunities

The nature of the industry gives graduates the opportunity to work and learn from engineers in different fields of specialisation, as large teams work together towards one goal.

Fast-paced and exciting

There is also the satisfaction of seeing creative automotive designs come to life, incorporated into a vehicle’s engineering, as well as the exhilaration of working in an industry that is always rapidly evolving.

Skills required in automotive engineering

• Enthusiasm • Adaptability • Updated knowledge of the sector • Critical thinking skills