Automotive Engineer

Stable

Engineering

Designs, tests and improves vehicles and their parts (engines, chassis, electrical systems and EV components) for carmakers such as Proton and Perodua and their component suppliers. Entry is usually a degree in mechanical or automotive engineering.

Mechanical EngineeringElectrical Engineering

Picture the job

Where you'd usually workA factory floor

An illustration of a typical workplace, not a photo. Real workplaces vary.

In Malaysia

How people get into it here: SPM with strong Mathematics, Physics and Additional Mathematics → Matriculation, Asasi, STPM or a diploma in mechanical/automotive engineering → degree in mechanical or automotive engineering (e.g. UTeM, UMPSA, UniKL MFI, UTHM) → register as a Graduate Engineer with BEM → join a carmaker graduate scheme (such as Proton's young talent programme) or a component supplier. A diploma lets you start as an engineering assistant or technician first.
Professional body: Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM / Lembaga Jurutera Malaysia): Graduate Engineer registration; Professional Engineer (Ir.) only needed to sign off work

Sources:randstad.com.my carplus.my proton.com ecentral.my

Pay in the private market

Monthly pay from fresh grad to mid-career, from the salary guide cited on this page.

Entry

Private

RM3,500 – RM5,500

Mid-career

Private

RM5,500 – RM8,000

Government pay isn't shown: we haven't yet sourced the SSPA civil-service salary tables, and we won't estimate them.

Job demand outlook

Stable

Steady, reliable demand: a consistent number of openings.

Your readiness

How your current SPM subjects line up with this career.

Add your SPM grades to see how ready you are for this career.

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The full route to this careerThe steps from school, UPU programmes and sourced costs, read against your answers.

How to get here

Post-SPM pathways with programmes in this career's fields. Tap one to see real programmes and entry requirements.

Matriculation

One or two years, heavily subsidised with allowance. Competitive, quota-based entry.

12–24 months

Diploma

Skill-first qualification. Work after, or enter degree Year 2. Polytechnics keep it affordable.

2.5–3 years

TVET

Hands-on trades with strong employability: ILP, ADTEC, kolej vokasional, GiatMARA.

1–3 years

Compare routes against your results and interests

Check what you may qualify for

Enter your SPM grades and see which routes and programmes you may qualify for. An estimate to plan with, not an offer.

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Quick answers

How do you become an Automotive Engineer in Malaysia?

SPM with strong Mathematics, Physics and Additional Mathematics → Matriculation, Asasi, STPM or a diploma in mechanical/automotive engineering → degree in mechanical or automotive engineering (e.g. UTeM, UMPSA, UniKL MFI, UTHM) → register as a Graduate Engineer with BEM → join a carmaker graduate scheme (such as Proton's young talent programme) or a component supplier. A diploma lets you start as an engineering assistant or technician first. Optional registration with Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM / Lembaga Jurutera Malaysia): Graduate Engineer registration; Professional Engineer (Ir.) only needed to sign off work is available.

What should I study to become an Automotive Engineer?

Related fields of study: Mechanical Engineering and Electrical Engineering. SPM subjects that help most: Physics, Additional Mathematics and Design & Technology (RBT).

How much does an Automotive Engineer earn in Malaysia?

Published figures put starting pay at RM3,500 – RM5,500 a month, and RM5,500 – RM8,000 with experience (source: Randstad Malaysia 2025 Job Market Outlook & Salary Guide (Manufacturing – design and development: design engineer 1-3 yrs / senior design engineer 4-6 yrs), used as the closest proxy for automotive engineers, Sep 2026).

Subjects that matter here

The SPM subjects worth your effort for this career, with the reason for each.

PhysicsForces, motion and machines in action.

Additional MathematicsDesign parts that actually fit and hold.

Design & Technology (RBT)Sketch, model and build real objects.

Skills to build

Problem solving and testing ideasAttention to safety and qualityWorking with suppliers and production teamsKeeping up with new technology such as EVs

What beginner adverts asked for

We read 16 internship and fresh-graduate adverts in related fields (August 2026). A small sample from one job site, not every vacancy.

15 of 16 were internships

Allowance or pay, when stated

RM850 – RM1,200

10 of 16 adverts printed an amount: usually between RM850 and RM1,200 a month. Many print none.

Languages named

Bahasa Malaysia, Mandarin

An empty line means the adverts did not say, not that employers have no requirement. Check each employer's own advert before you plan around it.

About this information

This describes what the job involves. Pay, demand and entry routes differ in Malaysia, so check the Pathways and Programmes pages for local requirements.

Source: Randstad Malaysia 2025 Job Market Outlook & Salary Guide (Manufacturing – design and development: design engineer 1-3 yrs / senior design engineer 4-6 yrs), used as the closest proxy for automotive engineers · as of Sept 2026

Job responsibilities, knowledge areas and work context from O*NET 30.3, US Department of Labor, used under CC BY 4.0. onetcenter.org