Electric vehicle (EV) technology is transforming transportation, offering sustainability, innovative designs, and lower fuel and maintenance costs. As climate concerns drive the shift toward cleaner energy, EVs promise reduced environmental impact, with components like lithium-ion batteries being recyclable. With the Indian EV market expected to sell over 10 million vehicles by 2030, the demand for EV engineering specialists is on the rise.
Global companies are increasingly setting up R&D and manufacturing hubs in India, creating a wealth of opportunities for engineers and building a diverse workforce in the EV industry. Here’s an overview of the job outlook and tips for entering this growing field.
What Does an EV Engineer Do?
EV engineers in manufacturing work on the feasibility of the mechanical process of manufacturing machines and devices. They do this with their research and development efforts at improving the manufacturing of e-drive, electric motors, transmissions, steering systems, and other components of an electric automobile.
In-Demand Engineering Roles in the EV Industry
As the electric vehicle (EV) industry accelerates, it is driving significant demand for skilled engineers to support the design, development, and maintenance of electric, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid vehicles. The Ministry of Skill Development projects that the EV industry will create 10 million jobs by 2030, with engineering roles leading the way.
Engineers play a crucial role in developing everything from vehicle designs to ensuring safety, sustainability, and scalability. Below are some of the top engineering positions within the EV sector:
1. Chemical Engineer
Since the battery is an essential component of an electric vehicle, the EV sector requires people who can work on improving the existing battery technologies and develop new designs. Chemical engineers do exactly that.
From battery pack and cell design to modeling and testing, they develop solutions related to the chemical processes by which a battery generates power. They also aid in designing equipment and methods for large-scale battery manufacturing.
2. Electrical & Power Electronics Engineer
The electric vehicle (EV) industry relies on batteries as a crucial component, creating a strong demand for professionals who can enhance existing battery technologies and develop innovative designs. Chemical engineering professionals play a key role in advancing these technologies, making EVs more efficient and sustainable.
Electrical engineers also develop control systems like heating and air conditioning, and additional electric components like vehicle lighting. Power electronics engineers are hardware specialists involved with schematics and theoretical analysis for designing electronic boards of EVs. They work along with electrical engineers to design and test electric boards to ease AC/DC conversion to provide different levels of voltages required in the EV components.
The EV industry has a great need for skilled electrical and power electronics engineers.
3. Environmental Engineer
Environmental engineers create an environmental detection plan that powers the manufacturing of EVs. They incorporate environment-friendly material that makes for a sustainable alternative. For electric vehicle manufacturers, environmental engineers contribute to creating a robust structure of the vehicle adhering to international environmental standards and policies.
4. Mechanical Engineer
Mechanical engineers design, develop and test mechanical components of electric vehicles, and also the machines used for manufacturing or repairing EVs. The 3 subsidiaries of mechanical engineering, Manufacturing, design, and thermal engineering all have important use cases in EVs.
Mechanical engineers specializing in design bring about new and improved designs for EV devices and machinery by using computer-aided design (CAD) software.
5. Thermal Engineer
Thermal engineers are involved in the thermal modeling and management of batteries, engines, compressors, and refrigeration systems of EV cars. They also focus on the electrical safety and durability of the battery module structure.
7. Software Engineer
Software engineers and software developers design and create computer programs and apps. Electric vehicle software is crucial to enable connectivity of onboard embedded systems, smart navigation, and monitoring systems for the maintenance of EVs.
Hybrid and electric vehicles also require embedded software to ensure regular electric power distribution and recharge of batteries. Since EVs need various control systems, software engineers develop software to control the various devices of the automobile.
How to Enter the EV Industry as an Engineer
Engineers are pivotal in advancing the affordability and infrastructure of electric vehicles (EVs). In this growing sector, engineers can take on various roles, from research and product design to virtual simulation, testing, and project management. Regardless of specialization, engineers are expected to apply their problem-solving and innovation skills to develop efficient, scalable solutions. Here’s how you can break into the EV industry as an engineer:
Develop the Necessary Skills
To become an EV engineer, it’s essential to acquire both general and specialized skills specific to the industry. Identify your area of focus and pursue the relevant courses to build expertise. Research industry demands through job portals to stay informed on emerging technologies and skill requirements. Additionally, enrolling in specialized training programs related to EV engineering can provide you with the edge you need.
Stay Updated with Industry Trends
The EV industry evolves rapidly, with technology advancing at a remarkable pace. Companies are keen to hire professionals who stay current with the latest trends and advancements. To keep up, read news articles, watch automotive industry updates, and attend car shows or local dealership test drives. Staying informed will help you understand new developments that influence the affordability and service infrastructure of EVs.
Apply for Jobs
The final step is applying for roles within the EV sector. Research companies in the automotive industry that are hiring EV engineers. Utilize job platforms like LinkedIn and Naukri to explore numerous job opportunities. Tailor your resume to highlight your skills and experience, and start applying to open positions. Actively pursuing job opportunities will increase your chances of landing a role in this thriving sector.
Key Skills Required to Become an Electric Vehicle (EV) Engineer
To become an electric vehicle (EV) engineer, a broad range of skills is required. One of the most important is cross-domain engineering, which involves using modeling and optimization tools to manage and implement engineering processes. Engineers need to have knowledge of electric powertrain controls, vehicle mechanics, and electric motor design. These areas form the foundation for understanding how electric vehicles function and are essential for their design and development.
Additionally, proficiency in software tools like Matlab and Simulink is crucial for simulating and testing vehicle systems. EV engineers must also understand battery engineering and battery management systems, as these components play a significant role in the performance of electric vehicles. A good grasp of vehicle architecture, system integration, and the testing, validation, and certification processes used in EV design is also needed. These skills ensure that the vehicle’s systems work together seamlessly and meet the required standards.
Finally, EV engineers need expertise in areas like sensing and actuation technology, signal and image processing, and data fusion. Knowledge of embedded C programming and ECU design is important for developing control systems. Understanding CAN protocols is also necessary for communication between vehicle components. Mastery of model-based design and the ability to work with prototypes, including hardware and software development, will help engineers in designing efficient and high-quality electric vehicles.
What’s the salary of an EV engineer?
The salary of an Electric Vehicle (EV) engineer in India varies widely, ranging from ₹2 lakhs to ₹15 lakhs per year. The specific salary depends on factors such as the engineer’s experience, expertise, and the specific role they hold within the industry. On average, an EV engineer earns approximately ₹2,64,420 annually, based on data from various salary sources and the Total Pay Estimate model. This figure represents the median salary, meaning it’s the midpoint of all reported salaries.
Bottomline
As the electric vehicle industry continues to expand, there is a growing need for engineers across various specializations, such as CAD and CAE engineers, thermal engineers, vehicle simulation engineers, and system architects. These professionals play crucial roles in designing, quality control, integration engineering, and ensuring functional safety. Engineers with backgrounds in mechanical, electrical, chemical, or software engineering can easily transition into the EV industry by specializing in the necessary skills. By following the right steps, you can accelerate your journey to becoming an EV engineer.
At Xpheno, we specialize in quickly and efficiently sourcing top talent with specialized skills. We support automotive OEMs, aerospace, and high-growth sectors like fintech, agritech, logistics, IT services, and GCCs of leading corporations. Let us help you build the future with the right engineering talent.
