ADD ADVICE TO FAVRoad transport engineer
Road transport engineers design, specify, maintain and repair vehicles and equipment.
What road transport engineers do
- take responsibility for safe operation of vehicles and equipment
- manage whole-life operating costs of behicles
- advise on best options for the procurement of vehicles
- manage workshops and staff employed in the maintenance and repair of vehicles and equipment
- manage maintenance and repair contracts when this function is outsourced.
Key skills for road transport engineers
- automotive engineering qualifications
- technical knowledge and ability
- ability to work with other engineers and operational staff
- understanding of regulations relating to vehicles, and health and safety
- ability to prepare budgets and work to them
- communication skills.
Training to be a road transport engineer
Training typically starts with an engineering apprenticeship, from two to four years. But engineering graduates are welcomed by many fleet operators.
Qualified engineers can register with the Engineering Council (UK) as Engineering Technician, Incorporated Engineer or Chartered Engineer depending on their level of qualification and experience.
Salaries for road transport engineers
Newly qualified technicians outside London can expect to command an annual salary of around £20,000.
Typical promotion is through posts such as workshop supervisor, regional engineer, fleet engineer, chief engineer and engineering director. A typical salary for an engineering director with a major bus or truck fleet is over £70,000.
Professional bodies
- Institute of Road Transport Engineers, part of the Society of Operations Engineers
- Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport
