Students in automotive engineering programs can prepare for a variety of different careers in the field. Many program graduates find positions at various levels in production, post-production, industrial processing, automotive design and research and design.

An associate degree is an undergraduate degree offered in the US and a few other countries. Associate degrees are a qualification below a bachelor's degree. Many students earn associate degrees during their first few years of higher education. Since they usually require about two years of study, these degrees can act either as job qualifications or as precursors to more advanced degrees.