Science & ResearchISCO 2144
Powertrain engineer
Powertrain engineer work on the design of propulsion mechanisms across the automotive sector. This includes technical implementation of powertrain components, such as mechanical engineering, the electronics and software used in modern vehicles, as well as coordination and optimisation of multiple energy sources in the powertrain context.
Check yourself in a minute: powertrain engineer
Rate 5 of the 78 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.
design electrical systems
prepare vehicle trim
calibrate engines
develop electronic test procedures
automotive engineering
Key skills in this occupation
Essential skills and knowledge areas from the European ESCO classification, 78 in total. The ones most specific to this occupation come first.
- design electrical systems
Draft sketches and design electrical systems, products, and components using Computer Aided Design (CAD) software and equipment.
practical skill - prepare vehicle trim
Prepare vehicle trim work in accordance with technical drawings and preliminary sketches.
practical skill - calibrate engines
Use calibration tools to adjust and tune engines to ensure optimal performance and durability.
practical skill - develop electronic test procedures
Develop testing protocols to enable a variety of analyses of electronic systems, products, and components.
practical skill - automotive engineering
The discipline of engineering that combines mechanical, electrical, electronic, software and safety engineering to design motor vehicles such as trucks, vans and automobiles.
practical skill - control the performance of the vehicle
Understand and anticipate the performance and behaviour of a vehicle.
practical skill - plan engineering activities
Organise engineering activities before starting them.
practical skill - execute analytical mathematical calculations
Apply mathematical methods and make use of calculation technologies in order to perform analyses and devise solutions to specific problems.
practical skill
Check which of these skills you already have ↑
Knowledge (38)
electronic test procedures
Testing protocols that enable a variety of analyses of electronic systems, products, and components. More →
energy saving potential of automated shift systems
Potential to save energy in automated shift systems through mechanisms such as improved efficiency and better anticipation of upcoming events. More →
automotive diagnostic equipment
The equipment used to examine automotive systems and components. More →
car controls
The functioning of specific car equipment such as how to operate and handle the clutch, throttle, lighting, instrumentation, transmission and the brakes. More →
operation of different engines
The characteristics, maintenance requirements and operating procedures of various kinds of engines such as gas, diesel, electrical, and engines with steam propulsion plants. More →
engineering principles
The engineering elements like functionality, replicability, and costs in relation to the design and how they are applied in the completion of engineering projects. More →
types of fuels
Types of fuel available on the market such as petrol, diesel, bio-fuel, etc. More →
electric motors
Motors which are able to convert electrical energy into mechanical energy. More →
vehicle electrical systems
The vehicle electrical systems, including components such as the battery, starter, and alternator. More →
design drawings
The drawings detailing the design of products, tools, and engineering systems. More →
types of vehicles
Field of information which distinguishes rental agency classification systems, containing types and classes of vehicles and their functioning and components. More →
principles of mechanical engineering
The principles of mechanical engineering, physics, and materials science. More →
mechanical components of vehicles
The mechanical components used in vehicles, their maintenance needs, potential malfunctions and resolution actions. More →
fuel cell types
Fuel cells functionalities and types. More →
hybrid model
The hybrid model consists of principles and fundamentals of service-oriented modelling for business and software systems that allow the design and specification of service-oriented business systems within a variety of… More →
mechanical systems
Mechanical systems, including gears, engines, hydraulic and pneumatic systems. More →
mechanics of motor vehicles
The way energy forces interact and affect components in motor vehicles such as cars, buses, invalid carriages and other motorised vehicles. More →
aerodynamics
The scientific field that deals with the way gases interact with moving bodies. More →
CAE software
The software to perform computer-aided engineering (CAE) analysis tasks such as Finite Element Analysis and Computional Fluid Dynamics. More →
types of vehicle engines
Types of car engines in road and racing cars, including those with emerging technologies like hybrids and electric motors, and how they work. More →
battery components
The physical components, such as wiring, electronics and voltaic cells that can be found in batteries. More →
hybrid vehicle architecture
Hybrid vehicle nomenclature, classification and architectures including efficiency considerations. More →
electronics
The functioning of electronic circuit boards, processors, chips, and computer hardware and software, including programming and applications. More →
mechanical engineering
Discipline that applies principles of physics, engineering and materials science to design, analyse, manufacture and maintain mechanical systems. More →
hybrid control systems
Control systems containing both subsystems with continuous dynamics as well as subsystems with discrete dynamics. More →
CAD software
The computer-aided design (CAD) software for creating, modifying, analysing or optimising a design. More →
electric drives
Electromechanical systems that utilise electric motors to control the movement and processes of electrical machinery. More →
principles of combustion engines
Basic knowledge and understanding of different types of engines and their construction and performance. More →
green automotive technologies
Technologies that allow the development of sustainable practices within the automotive industry. More →
electrical testing methods
Test procedures performed on electrical equipment and machinery in order to check the performance and quality of the electrical equipment and their adherence to specifications. More →
test procedures
The methods for producing results in science or engineering, such as physical tests, chemical tests, or statistical tests. More →
mechatronics
Multidisciplinary field of engineering that combines principles of electrical engineering, telecommunications engineering, control engineering, computer engineering, and mechanical engineering in the design of products… More →
computer technology
Computers, computer networks and other information technologies and equipment that can store, retrieve, transmit and manipulate data. More →
Prototyping development
The prototyping development model is a methodology to design software systems and applications. More →
vehicle manufacturing process
Series of steps taken in order to produce a car or any other motor vehicle such as the design, the chassis and body assembly, the painting process, the interior assembly and the quality control. More →
mechanics
Theoretical and practical applications of the science studying the action of displacements and forces on physical bodies to the development of machinery and mechanical devices. More →
automation technology
Set of technologies that make a process, system, or apparatus operate automatically through the use of control systems. More →
engine components
The different engine components, their operation, lifecycle and maintenance and repairing needs. More →
Practical skills (32)
use computer-aided engineering systems
Use computer-aided engineering software to conduct stress analyses on engineering designs. More →
adjust engineering designs
Adjust designs of products or parts of products so that they meet requirements. More →
perform test run
Perform tests putting a system, machine, tool or other equipment through a series of actions under actual operating conditions in order to assess its reliability and suitability to realise its tasks, and adjust settings… More →
perform scientific research
Gain, correct or improve knowledge about phenomena by using scientific methods and techniques, based on empirical or measurable observations. More →
use technical drawing software
Create technical designs and technical drawings using specialised software. More →
manage engineering project
Manage engineering project resources, budget, deadlines, and human resources, and plan schedules as well as any technical activities pertinent to the project. More →
compare alternative vehicles
Compare the performance of alternative vehicles based on factors such as their energy consumption and the energy density per volume and per mass of different fuels employed. More →
model electromechanical systems
Model and simulate an electromechanical system, product, or component so that an assessment can be made of the viability of the product and so the physical parameters can be examined before the actual building of the… More →
monitor technology trends
Survey and investigate recent trends and developments in technology. More →
install car electronics
Place electrically operated accessories in vehicles such as batteries which power heating systems, radios and anti-theft systems. More →
execute software tests
Perform tests to ensure that a software product will perform flawlessly under the specified customer requirements and identify software defects (bugs) and malfunctions, using specialised software tools and testing… More →
collaborate with engineers
Work closely and communicate with engineers on designs or new products. More →
simulate mechatronic design concepts
Simulate mechatronic design concepts through creating mechanical models and performing tolerance analysis. More →
use CAD software
Use computer-aided design (CAD) systems to assist in the creation, modification, analysis, or optimisation of a design. More →
model hardware
Model and simulate computer hardware using technical design software. More →
conduct performance tests
Conduct experimental, environmental and operational tests on models, prototypes or on the systems and equipment itself in order to test their strength and capabilities under normal and extreme conditions. More →
liaise with engineers
Collaborate with engineers to ensure common understanding and discuss product design, development and improvement. More →
provide technical expertise
Provide expert knowledge in a particular field, especially concerning mechanical or scientific subjects, to decision makers, engineers, technical staff or journalists. More →
perform vehicle tests
Test, inspect and maintain vehicles; refresh oil and change tires; balance wheels and replace filters. More →
design control systems
Develop devices that command and manage the behaviour of other devices and systems, using engineering and electronics principles. More →
define technical requirements
Specify technical properties of goods, materials, methods, processes, services, systems, software and functionalities by identifying and responding to the particular needs that are to be satisfied according to customer… More →
assess powertrain
Assess suitability of powertrain components for given boundaries such as vehicle mission, traction requirements, dynamic demand and costs. More →
prepare production prototypes
Prepare early models or prototypes in order to test concepts and replicability possibilities. More →
assess financial viability
Revise and analyse financial information and requirements of projects such as their budget appraisal, expected turnover, and risk assessment for determining the benefits and costs of the project. More →
design hybrid operating strategies
Design operating strategies for hybrid drive systems, with the exclusion of non plug-in hybrid systems, accounting for the boundaries for energy recuperation and its limiting factors. More →
position engine on test stand
Position the engine on a stand or in a cell, ready for testing, by using a hoist or overhead crane. More →
evaluate engine performance
Read and comprehend engineering manuals and publications; test engines in order to evaluate engine performance. More →
develop test procedures
Develop testing protocols to enable a variety of analyses of products, systems, and components. More →
assemble automotive batteries
Manufacture batteries for motor vehicles by using hand tools, power tools or automated machines. More →
approve engineering design
Give consent to the finished engineering design to go over to the actual manufacturing and assembly of the product. More →
design electronic systems
Draft sketches and design electronic systems, products, and components using Computer Aided Design (CAD) software and equipment. More →
apply health and safety standards
Adhere to standards of hygiene and safety established by respective authorities. More →
Optional skills (56) — show
systems development life-cycle
The sequence of steps, such as planning, creating, testing and deploying and the models for the development and life-cycle management of a system. More →
locomotive brake applications
The dynamics of locomotive brake applications. More →
motor vehicle parts drawings
The various types of technical drawings used in relation to motor vehicles parts. More →
model based system engineering
Model-based systems engineering (MBSE) is a methodology for systems engineering that uses visual modelling as the primary means of communicating information. More →
material mechanics
The behaviour of solid objects when subjected to stresses and strains, and the methods to calculate these stresses and strains. More →
manufacturing processes
The steps required through which a material is transformed into a product, its development and full-scale manufacturing. More →
CADD software
The computer-aided design and drafting (CADD) is the use of computer technology for design and design documentation. More →
electrical engineering
The field of engineering that deals with the study and application of electricity, electronics, and electromagnetism. More →
microelectronics
Microelectronics is a subdiscipline of electronics and relates the study, design, and manufacture of small electronic components, such as microchips. More →
aerospace engineering
The engineering discipline that combines various technologies and engineering disciplines such as avionics, materials science and aerodynamics in order to design, develop and manufacture aircraft, spacecraft, missiles… More →
project management
The discipline of project management, the activities which comprise this area and the variables implied in it, such as time, resources, requirements, deadlines, and responding to unexpected events. More →
electrical instrumentation engineering
The way in which electrical and instrumentation engineering (E and I engineering) modernises the production infrastructure from design to preparation of execution phase and the execution phase itself followed by the… More →
power electronics
The functioning, design, and usage of electronics that control and convert electric power. More →
control engineering
Subdiscipline of engineering that focuses on controlling the behaviour of systems through the use of sensors and actuators. More →
operation of transport equipment
Use of transportation gear, such as car, forklift, truck, tractor, trailer, convoy. More →
vehicle-to-everything technologies
Technology that allows vehicles to communicate with other vehicles and traffic system infrastructure around them. More →
types of tyres
Different types of rubber coverings and inflated tubes used for specific vehicles and weather conditions such as winter and summer tyres, performance tyres, truck or tractor tyres. More →
power engineering
Subdiscipline of energy and electrical engineering which specialises in the generation, transmission, distribution, and usage of electrical power through the connection of electrical devices to motors, generators, and… More →
advanced driver assistant systems
Vehicle-based intelligent safety systems which could improve road safety in terms of crash avoidance, crash severity mitigation and protection, and automatic post-crash notification of collision. More →
electrical wiring diagrams
The visual schematic representation of an electrical circuit, its components, and the connections between these components. More →
model power electronics
Model and simulate power electronics systems, products, and components using technical design software. More →
design power electronics
Design and develop power electronics systems, products, and components according to specifications. More →
solve technical problems
Identify technical problems when operating devices and using digital environments, and solve them (from trouble-shooting to solving more complex problems). More →
operate diesel propulsion plants
Operate diesel and gas turbine propulsion plants including related machinery, such as auxiliary boilers, auxiliary engines, incinerators, air compressors, fuel and fuel oil purifiers. More →
describe electric drive system
Describe the complete electric drive system with all components needed. More →
test power electronics
Test power electronics using appropriate equipment. More →
diagnose problems with vehicles
Diagnose issues with vehicles and assess the efforts and costs required to resolve them. More →
maintain braking system
Maintain the system that stops motor vehicles and bicycles. More →
use CADD software
Use computer-aided design and drafting software to make detailed drawings and blueprints of designs. More →
report test findings
Report test results with a focus on findings and recommendations, differentiating results by levels of severity. More →
test mechatronic units
Test mechatronic units using appropriate equipment. More →
prepare engine room for operation
Prepare and start main engine and auxiliary engines; prepare machinery in engine room prior to departure; know and follow starting procedures according to checklist. More →
provide software testing documentation
Describe software testing procedures to technical team and analysis of test outcomes to users and clients in order to inform them about state and efficiency of software. More →
coordinate engineering teams
Plan, coordinate and supervise engineering activities together with engineers and engineering technicians. More →
organise technical operating information for vehicles
Gather and process technical information documents such as vendor manuals. More →
design engineering components
Design engineering parts, assemblies, products, or systems. More →
operate testbeds
Operate testbeds which are designed to assist in the process of testing new equipment or engines. More →
maintain motor vehicle steering system
Maintain the system that allows motor vehicles to be directed towards a desired route through steering wheel linkages by using hand and power tools. More →
re-assemble engines
Re-assemble transport equipment engines after overhaul, inspection, repair, maintenace or cleaning according to blueprints and technical plans. More →
calibrate electromechanical system
Correct and adjust the reliability of an electromechanical system by measuring output and comparing results with the data of a reference device or a set of standardised results. More →
maintain vehicle service
Monitor the health of vehicles and take measures to optimise service and execute repairs. More →
run simulations
Run simulations and audits to assess operability of newly implemented setups; detect errors for improvement. More →
draft design specifications
List the design specifications such as materials and parts to be used and a cost estimate. More →
design chassis
Devise and manufacture a series of custom chassis using design software. More →
perform vehicle diagnostic procedures
Perform diagnostic procedures on vehicle systems. More →
evaluate vehicle ecological footprint
Evaluate the ecological footprint of vehicles and use various methods to analyse green-house gas emissions such as CO2 emissions. More →
design prototypes
Design prototypes of products or components of products by applying design and engineering principles. More →
test electronic units
Test electronic units using appropriate equipment. More →
anticipate change in car technology
Stay up-to-date with latest trends in car technology and anticipate change in the field. More →
design electromechanical systems
Draft sketches and design electromechanical systems, products, and components using Computer Aided Design (CAD) software and equipment. More →
collaborate with designers
Communicate and collaborate with fellow designers in order to coordinate new products and designs. More →
provide technical training
Explain and demonstrate the use of training equipment and system functions. More →
distribute technical information on operation of vehicles
Distribute information resources such as drawings, diagrams, and sketches that describe in detail the technical characteristics of vehicles. More →
operate ship propulsion system
Perform start-up and subsequent observation of the working parameters of the ship's propulsion system. More →
model electrical system
Model and simulate an electrical system, product, or component so that an assessment can be made of the viability of the product and so the physical parameters can be examined before the actual building of the product. More →
design sensors
Design and develop different types of sensors according to specifications, such as vibration sensors, heat sensors, optical sensors, humidity sensors, and electric current sensors. More →
Related Occupations
Occupations that need many of the same essential skills, so the move between them is shortest.
aerodynamics engineer14 shared essential skillselectrical engineer14 shared essential skillsmechatronics engineer14 shared essential skillsautomation engineer13 shared essential skillselectronics engineer13 shared essential skillsmechanical engineer13 shared essential skillselectromechanical engineer11 shared essential skillsfluid power engineer11 shared essential skills
Frequently asked questions
What does a powertrain engineer do?
Powertrain engineer work on the design of propulsion mechanisms across the automotive sector. This includes technical implementation of powertrain components, such as mechanical engineering, the electronics and software used in modern vehicles, as well as coordination and optimisation of multiple energy sources in the powertrain context.
What skills does a powertrain engineer need?
A powertrain engineer needs 78 essential skills, including electronic test procedures, energy saving potential of automated shift systems, automotive diagnostic equipment, car controls, operation of different engines.
Will AI replace powertrain engineer jobs?
The AI disruption score for powertrain engineer is 30/100 (low risk). Skills most exposed to automation: types of fuels, types of vehicle engines, battery components. Most resilient: electric motors, maintain motor vehicle steering system, collaborate with engineers.
AI Replacement Risk
30/ 100
Low Risk
Low riskHigh risk
Quick Facts
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