Also called: Vehicle Development Technician, Prototype Technician
Builds prototype vehicles and installs test equipment for automotive engineers.
You install sensors and data loggers on a prototype pickup, route wires under the dash, and help the engineer run a test. When a part breaks, you swap in a new version that just arrived from the prototype shop.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Associate's degree (2-year), about 2 years after high school. Associate in automotive or mechanical engineering technology; ASE certifications help.
Ways in: 2-year college, Trade school, Certification. Training cost: Under $15k.
Majors to look at: Automotive Technology, Mechanical Engineering Technology.
Growing about average (about 2% over 10 years). Tracks mechanical engineering technicians.
Low risk for 10 years. AI helps plan tests, but building prototypes and wiring test gear stays hands-on.
Classes: Auto shop, Electronics CTE, Physics, Algebra.
Official data: O*NET occupation 17-3027.
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