Training Duration: 3.5 years

What is Mechatronics Engineer?

Today, cars are truly high-tech vehicles: starting from sensors and cameras that accurately detect movements on the road, through safety standards like ABS, to the technology installed in the cockpit. When something breaks down, real experts are needed—and these are the automotive mechatronics engineers.

Brief overview of Automotive Mechatronics Training

• Training is available with five different focuses.
• Until 2003, this profession was still called a mechanic.
• This training program is one of the ten most popular vocational programs in Germany.
• What you should bring: technical understanding and dexterity.

What does a Mechatronics Engineer do?

Automotive mechatronics engineers primarily handle the maintenance and repair of vehicles. Performing inspections and maintenance is also part of the daily job, as well as installing additional vehicle systems.

Diagnosing faults in modern vehicles is a crucial part of an automotive mechatronics engineer’s job. Therefore, laptops, tablets, and diagnostic equipment can be found in every car repair shop.

Key tasks as a Mechatronics Engineer?

The tasks of an automotive mechatronics engineer are quite diverse. This includes, for example, repairing damage to the vehicle body, replacing worn parts such as brake pads, or changing V-belts. On a typical working day, an automotive mechatronics engineer might perform tasks such as:

• Diagnosing faults with modern measurement systems.
• Maintaining and repairing vehicles.
• Replacing individual parts.
• Inspecting vehicles.
• Diagnosing and calibrating vehicle systems

The specific tasks to be performed depend greatly on the focus area. You can train to become an automotive mechatronics engineer in a total of five different fields:

Focused training areas to become an Mechatronics Engineer:

• Passenger car technology
• Commercial vehicle technology
• Motorcycle technology
• High-voltage systems and technology
• Body technology

What does a Passenger Car Technology do?

When focusing on passenger car technology, you will learn how to analyze faults in passenger cars, i.e., regular cars, and how to replace and repair faulty parts.

Typical tasks:

• Replacing worn parts like spark plugs or changing oil.
• Maintaining and repairing air conditioning systems.
• Measuring and adjusting the chassis

What is the difference between a Mechatronics Engineer and an Automotive Mechanic?

Automotive mechanics were the predecessors of automotive mechatronics engineers. The training program was completely revised in 2003 as electronics became increasingly important in the automotive industry. Nowadays, it is simply impossible to work without expertise in electronics, starting with fault reading on laptops.

What does a Mechatronics Engineer do in Commercial Vehicle Technology?

In commercial vehicle technology, everything is much larger—you inspect, maintain, and repair tractors, semi-trailers, buses, trucks, and other commercial vehicles.

Typical Tasks:

• Maintaining and adjusting brake systems.
• Inspecting hydraulic systems and four-wheel-drive transmissions.
• Installing additional equipment such as radio communication systems

Inspection:

Vehicles must be regularly inspected. During inspections, we check if everything is okay with the vehicle and provide appropriate diagnostics.

What does a Mechatronics Engineer do in Motorcycle Technology?

Focusing on motorcycle technology, you will be responsible for inspecting and maintaining motorcycles.

Typical tasks:

• Inspecting motorcycle technical systems.
• Performing customer requests (e.g., adjustments).
• Replacing damaged parts

What do High-voltage systems technology technicians and Automotive system technicians do?

The lesser-known focus is on high-voltage systems and technology—here you are responsible for electric vehicles and hybrid-drive cars and, of course, all other complex vehicle systems.

Typical tasks:

• Maintaining and repairing electric engines.
• Inspecting components (e.g., high-voltage batteries, inverters).
• Repairing electronic systems.

What does a Car body Engineer do?

Focusing on body technology, you are an expert in repairing damaged vehicle bodies.

Typical tasks:

• Repairing and fixing body damage.
• Measuring the body.
• Inspecting body systems (e.g., sunroofs or windows).

Reasons to study Mechatronics Engineer in Germany?

5 reasons to train as an Automotive Mechatronics Engineer:

1. High-opportunity occupation: The profession of automotive mechatronics engineer is one of the most popular occupations.
2. Wide range of career options: There are many job openings and apprenticeships available each year.
3. Variety: The field is quite diverse because modern cars feature a lot of technology.
4. Good work-life balance: You can expect regular working hours.
5. Excellent career opportunities: There are many opportunities for further training in the automotive industry.

Where can I work as a Mechatronics Engineer?

As an automotive mechatronics engineer, you will usually work in repair shops and service contracts. There are also workshops specializing in certain vehicle models. You may also directly enter the automotive industry in vehicle production. Additionally, there are job opportunities in automotive clubs and fleets across various industries, such as with transport companies.

Overview of your position:

– Repair Shops
– Production Departments

Work uniform of a Mechatronics Engineer

Automotive mechatronics engineers also come into contact with fluids when replacing individual parts and maintaining vehicles. That’s why they wear suitable work clothing: overalls. They are not only sturdy but also provide space for commonly used tools such as wrenches. Due to handling machinery and tools, steel-toe shoes are also worn out.

Required trainings to become an Automotive Mechatronics Engineer

Training to become an automotive mechatronics engineer is dual and lasts three and a half years. The theoretical part takes place at a vocational school, while the practical part takes place at your training workshop.

Final Exam

Before the end of the second year of training, the first part of the final exam or interim exam will be conducted. At the end of the three-and-a-half-year training period, there will be a second part of the final exam.

During your training to become an automotive mechatronics engineer, you can choose one of five focus areas: passenger car technology, commercial vehicle technology, motorcycle technology, high-voltage systems and technology, or body technology. However, the focus only plays a role in the final one and a half years of training—until then, the basic training remains the same.

What do Mechatronics Engineers learn during academic years?

At vocational school, you will learn about all the important parts of vehicles and other related job aspects—such as customer consulting. You will gain in-depth knowledge about parts, mechanics, and technical systems of vehicles. The exact content also depends on the chosen focus—e.g., commercial vehicle technology.

During training, you will encounter the following areas of study:

• Identifying and eliminating faults.
• Analyzing and repairing vehicle and body damage.
• Equipping, converting, and adding systems and components.
• Electronic knowledge

How does mechatronics engineers practice in real-life?

At the start of training, you will spend a lot of time observing a master mechanic, but you may also change tires, for example. Later, you will take on more complex tasks and, over time, you will also install an integrated computer under the guidance of a trainer.

First Year of Training:

In the workshop, you will first learn how to operate vehicles and their systems correctly. You will learn how to start or stop vehicle technical systems and how to measure and test systems accurately. You will also learn the basics of disassembling, repairing, and assembling parts.

Second year of training:

The training manager will show you how to maintain vehicle systems according to specifications, inspect, and eliminate faults. This includes conversion work according to customer requests or inspecting and performing additional tasks.

Third Year of Training:

The content of the training in the third year depends on the chosen focus.

How many hours does a Mechatronics Engineer work?

As an automotive mechatronics engineer, you will typically work 35 to 40 hours per week. Working hours depend on the workshop’s opening hours: work is usually performed on weekdays—sometimes including Saturdays. Shift work is rare in the automotive industry but can occasionally occur.

Academic requirements: What do you need to become an Automotive Mechatronics Engineer in Germany?

From a purely legal perspective, there are no specific requirements for training to become an automotive mechatronics engineer. However, there are certain qualities and skills you should have, including:

• Skilled craftsmanship
• Technical understanding
• Enjoyment of mechanics and electronics

Relations between educational background and work opportunities in Mechatronics Engineering?

Even though the law does not require a specific school qualification, most companies still primarily hire apprentices with intermediate education. However, you also have the chance with a high school diploma—so be sure to apply!

Certificates of completion for Automotive Mechatronics Engineers:

• Intermediate Education: 51%
• Secondary School Graduation: 33%
• University Entrance Qualification: 12%
• No Secondary School Diploma: 2%
• Other: 2%

Training to become an automotive mechatronics engineer is quite technical and skilled. Therefore, some subjects in school are quite important for the training.

Relevant subjects:

• Engineering/ Technology
• Mathematics
• Physics

How much does an Automotive Mechatronics Engineer earn?

Automotive mechatronics engineers typically earn between €2,000 and €3,000 per month. The average salary is just under €2,500. The exact salary depends on several factors:

• Collective bargaining agreements or negotiated salaries.
• Company size and location.
• Length of service and experience

Automotive mechatronics engineers working directly for major car brands often earn more than mechanics at a small local repair shop. One of the biggest influences on an automotive mechatronics engineer’s salary is whether it is governed by a collective bargaining agreement.

Collective Agreement

Collective bargaining agreements precisely define the wages that employees in a company receive. Two collective agreements are often relevant to automotive mechatronics engineers:

• Collective agreement for the automotive industry
• Collective agreement for the metal and electrical industry

Which collective agreement applies depends on the company’s industry. Many car manufacturers also have their own internal collective agreements.

Important: Remember, these are gross figures! Taxes and social security contributions are also deducted.

How much does a mechatronics technician earn?

Assume that you have just completed your training as an automotive mechatronics technician and are starting your professional life with a gross monthly salary of 2,000 euros. After taxes and social security contributions, you will end up with just under 1,430 euros net.

If you have several years of professional experience or work for a large automotive company with a collective agreement, your gross salary could be 3,000 euros. Your net salary would then be around 1,985 euros.

Important: The sample calculations refer to tax class 1. So, we assume you are single and have no children.

How much does a mechatronics technician earn during training?

In the first year of training, the average training allowance is 931 euros per month. In the second year, it is 966 euros, and in the third year, it is 1,024 euros. In the fourth year of training, the salary rises to 1,077 euros. (As of: 2023)

Note: The salary figures are averages and refer to the two most important collective agreements for automotive mechatronics technicians – “automotive industry” and “metal and electrical industry.”

Automotive mechatronics technician training salary

There are also differences between individual federal states when it comes to collective agreements. This explains the salary ranges in the table.

Note: Not all companies are bound by one of the two collective agreements! Your training allowance might also differ slightly.

What is the starting salary of an automotive mechatronics engineer?

The company you work for also plays a significant role in your starting salary. For a small car repair shop, a starting salary of just under 2,000 euros per month is realistic.

At a company bound by a collective agreement, the starting salary is usually higher. The starting salary typically ranges from 2,400 to 2,700 euros per month.

Note: Many companies – especially those bound by a collective agreement – still offer special payments such as vacation and Christmas bonuses or a 13th-month salary.

How much can I earn later as an automotive mechatronics technician?

Depending on where you work, the tasks you take on, and your level of professional experience, your salary as an automotive mechatronics technician can increase to a gross total of 3,200 euros per month. However, you can earn significantly more through further training.

Example: As a master automotive technician, you could earn a gross total of more than 4,000 euros per month – if you are paid according to a collective agreement, your salary could rise to 4,500 euros. Advanced training for technicians is also very popular, with salaries ranging from 3,500 to 4,100 euros.

Career opportunities in the automotive industry

There are quite a few advanced training and education opportunities in the automotive industry. For many, training to become an automotive mechatronics technician is just the first step in their professional career in the automotive industry. Depending on your interests, you can develop in very different directions.

What additional training opportunities are there?

• Master Mechanic: Further training to become a master of motor vehicles is a classic and excellent opportunity for advancement. Afterward, you can open your own workshop and become self-employed. But car manufacturers and dealerships also need the deep expertise of master automotive technicians. You could increase your salary to 4,500 euros.
• Automotive Service Technician: You can start additional training to become an automotive service technician in the final year of training or immediately after completing your training. Technical knowledge in vehicle diagnostics, inspection, maintenance, and repair is deepened. In terms of salary, you can then earn up to 3,500 euros.
• Study: After training, you still have the opportunity to start studying. Suitable courses include mobile electronics, mechatronics, or industrial engineering. This will allow you to deepen your expertise in specific areas and qualify for new fields.

Further career advancement opportunities:

• Technician: Automotive technology / mobile electronics / body and vehicle construction technology
• Two-wheel master mechanic
• Automotive service advisor
• Executive in automotive technology

What is the future outlook for an automotive mechatronics engineer?

Due to numerous innovations in the automotive industry, automotive mechatronics engineers generally have very good prospects for the future. You can further improve your opportunities by specializing in a specific area during training and acquiring additional qualifications – for example, in energy management.

Specialized training after completing your initial education will help you advance even further in your career. Who knows, you might soon achieve a management position and become the manager of your own car workshop.