What do you do if you're an automotive engineer facing the transition to electric and autonomous vehicles?

The automotive industry is shifting its gears and to stay relevant and thrive in this field upskilling should not be treated as an option but an essential requirement. We should thoroughly go through the BMS (from different types of batteries to its range, degradation form etc.) as we all know Batteries are considered to be the heart of the vehicles. While I truly understand, the love for the "roaring sound" of IC engines in sports cars is unbeatable however one should also have a good knowledge of power electronics, electric motors and other EV components. Building networks and company sponsored training projects related to the Electric and Autonomous driving can provide valuable hands-on experience.

It may be challenging to completely retrain into EV application if that's not your main area of expertise. You are looking at a university level qualification (1 - 3 years). Short courses are normally never sufficient enough to land a fully fledged engineering role in a new field. A better way could be to assess your experience and identify all transferrable knowledge as the first step. An example of such skills - a mechanical engineer working on automotive interior systems could be of interest to an EV / Battery tech division by promoting their CAD, requirement management, integration skills etc. That's the quickest way to inside the new tech and will give a solid foundation for future development.

This exact situation happened to me nearly 10 years ago, and I embrace the new challenges in this way: - the key principles in automotive are always the same (e.g. product development principles, performance assessment, design guidelines, etc.). In a new context, they might need adaptation and updates - be curious and start learning from articles, books, courses and in the field or job doing something real - look for examples and patterns in these new fields and use your experience and knowledge to bring value

If there is a VUCA environment for society, there is a volatile environment for education, and consequently, much more so for the automobile industry, which has been going through a transition from fuel to propulsion, in addition to sociological aspects of vehicle consumption. Regardless of the area of study, such as mechanical engineering, chemistry, etc., understanding electricity, electronics and software is a matter of survival. All alternative forms of CO2 reduction, e.g. hydrogen cells, alcohol, electricity, etc., will result in much more precise electronics. You will have to study a lot more. Dedication to the foundations of physics, chemistry and mathematics has never been so evident.

Mathematics is in fashion. Understanding algorithms is not about using pre-existing Python commands in your libraries, for example. Automotive life is not a Lego game. Making it very clear: it's not about being a software user, it's about creating software. And more than that: vehicles have civil safety aspects that imply robustness software concepts and tests that validate the customer's true usage experience. You need to cover all aspects of usage, and to do so you need to know your customer's Real Life Usage Profile (RLUP) to be able to properly test and transfer this learning to tools such as FMEA, SPICE "Simulation Program with Integrated Circuit Emphasis" and bench tests. Never trust on virtual world only. Go to real.

Today, software are playing a crucial role in vehicle functionality, especially with features like ADAS, Lane departure warning, BMS for optimal performance and efficiency etc. These sophisticated softwares have capabilities for handling complex traffic scenarios and can also enhance connectivity & V2X (Vehicle to Everything) communication. Due to more software dependencies, cybersecurity integration can ensure the safety of the vehicles over time! Therefore, familiarizing ourselves with automotive software will enable us to troubleshoot, understand and shape the future of mobility.

Here lies a big opportunity for software engineers looking to switch over to the EV side. From embedded engineering skills to autonomous driving applications the demand for software engineers will be growing exponentially. Transferrable skills exist almost across all verticals here. As an example, we had requirements for gaming developers to join Autonomous Driving startups to help them build object-centred simulations! When evaluating a move to the automotive sector, make sure to clarify where your skills fall in the supply chain. For instance, if you an Embedded Software Engineer, the majority of the roles would fall with Tier 1 suppliers. So, if you are aiming to work at OEMs make sure that your skills match up.

I would add Software in any aspect that you can think about. In my experience, I used a lot of simulations and mathematician models to understand, improve and fix systems and components. Get your "hands dirty" with these tools, it is a lot of fun...

Working collaboratively with software developers is a challenge in the automotive industry supply chain. The automotive world is conservative, because at the end of the day, it takes care of lives. Software developers are creative companies, many startups, that develop codes and are not used to the liability of the mobility industry. Having hardware and software suppliers talking side by side at a table is very challenging, starting with the need for ground information about the market and user profile. Both sides must develop empathy and exchange knowledge in the meeting room and in laboratories for this to happen.

Developing electric and autonomous vehicles is complex and requires a crew of experts working together. It's better to be "Think A-Team, Not Lone Wolf" since a person with a good engine and vehicle mechanics will not always be good with AI & Sensor components. Communication of technical concepts to a non-technical stakeholders should always be cross functional as it helps in understanding their perspective effectively. We often see leading automotive companies collaborating with the different brands for their battery technologies or for soundbars/ infotainment systems etc. So we can say that the future of transportation is indeed a team sport.

Collaboration is one of the key USPs for most start-ups/scale-ups. While established OEMs generally tend to move slower and are largely process focussed, smaller firms provide a more dynamic and collaborative culture. That's a significant opportunity in this industry for experienced engineers to step up to a higher level of responsibility and fast-forward their careers by joining a niche EV tech business.

Another point is a rise in demand for Cybersecurity specialists. We already see an increased level of requirements for Functional Safety engineers combined with Cybersecurity expertise, which is likely to continue. To any FuSi specialists, additional Cybersecurity training will definitely be a boost.

Focus on safety is crucial for many reasons since even minor flaws in high voltage EVs and complex decision-making in AVs can have fatal consequences. Companies are addressing safety concerns and proactively encouraging people to take up these new technologies. Taking an instance, In 2020, several Chevrolet Bolt EVs were recalled due to potential battery fire risks. This manufacturing defect could lead to a fire inside the battery pack therefore, GM had to recall all the affected vehicles and replace their battery modules. To prevent battery fires from spreading companies are coming up with a special material suppression system (Multi-layered approach) that absorbs heat and fire.

The future of the automotive industry is not just about electric and autonomous vehicles. It's about cherishing sustainability throughout the entire vehicle lifecycle. By using eco-friendly materials for car parts, the companies are showcasing a commitment to reducing their environmental impact and creating a greener future for transportation. Companies like BMW and Ford have implemented using recycled fishing nets, Flax for their floor mats. Innovative materials are being introduced in the automotive industry, such as cactus leather, mushroom leather and vegan leather made from polyurethane becoming popular for interiors and steering wheels to accommodate increasing consumer demand for sustainability.

There are two schools of thought at play now, a large factory in a more traditional sense aimed at high output volumes (e.g. tesla's gigafactory) vs smaller localised micro-factories that can be built at a fraction of the cost and have a more demand driven model. Whether these are two competing concepts or complimentary ones is yet to be seen.

A car that is not only technologically advanced but also user-friendly creates a positive brand image and encourages customer satisfaction. The UX specialists ensure the interaction with the car's controls, displays, and infotainment systems is safe, and don't overwhelm users with complexity. They focus on minimizing user frustration and creating a positive experience.

UX/UI for infotainment systems could arguably be one of the key differentiators in years to come. With OEMs adopting large control screens that are rather identical, UX and ease of navigation would be a selling point for most passenger cars. A great opportunity for UX/UI designers to position themselves in the sector that's about to explode.

It's easy to overlook the fact that EVs are fundamentally similar to internal combustion engined cars, with the exception of the propulsion system. Beyond propulsion, EVs utilize the same technology honed over years. Key concepts we learnt in school, like aerodynamics, vehicle dynamics, and control systems, remain relevant in the EV industry. For most engineers, transitioning to EV roles requires little to no additional training, barring specialization in engine design. As demand for IC engines wanes, should IC engine specialists decide to remain in the field, they can still thrive in Industrial and aftermarket sectors as they'll continue to seek their expertise, ensuring ongoing employment opportunities.

It's an interesting time in the industry for most engineering specialisations. Its definitely the right time to take risks and try new opportunities in your career as such period will not last forever. This works both for experienced and new talent entering the market. Take a leap from a traditional career path to work on new tech - even if it doesn't work out in the long run for the business, you would still have amassed some fantastic experience, which traditional OEMs would love to snap up.