Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Chapter 1 ∣ Career Opportunities 7 by the original manufacturer of the vehicle. Automotive tools and equipment manu- facturers are considered some of the largest companies in the automotive aftermarket. Adhesive, cleaner, lubricant, and other automotive chemical manufacturers also sell products in this market. Many aftermarket job openings are available as part, tool, oil, or equipment salespeo- ple who sell directly to dealerships or independent repair shops. These jobs involve a cer- tain amount of sales ability, especially when visiting potential customers without advance notification (referred to as “cold calls”). Another segment of the automotive aftermarket is shops that modify factory-original vehicles into fire, police, and emergency vehicles, or shops performing high-performance modifications to stock engines, drive trains, and chassis systems. These types of shops employ auto service technicians, parts stockers, service managers, office managers, and salespeople. Automotive Manufacturing Automotive manufacturing is a very large segment of the industry. Vehicle assembly plants are in operation all over North America and in other countries across the world. In addi- tion, hundreds of parts factories are scattered throughout the continent. Many kinds of jobs are available in auto manufacturing. Engineer and Designer Developing new vehicles and updating older models re- quires the coordinated efforts of two groups, automotive engineers and automotive designers. Engineers spend much of their time developing new concepts for engines, drive trains, and other mechanical and electronic parts. They are concerned with the function and performance of vehicles. Designers create artistic concepts using sketches, computer-aided design (CAD) programs, and models. They are concerned with the appearance and visual appeal of vehicles, as well as their usefulness. It takes the interaction of skilled, well-trained engineers and designers to develop the concept of a functional, attractive vehicle. See Figure 1-8. Manufacturing Engineer Once an overall vehicle concept and design is devel- oped, it must be translated into a real-world, driveable vehicle. This is the job of a manufacturing engineer. Manufacturing engineers supervise the systems and machines that make up an automo- tive assembly line. They are also concerned with assigning and training the workers who will turn multiple parts into a finished part assembly or product. Manufacturing engineers spend most of their time coordinating thousands of details into a process for manufactur- ing well-assembled vehicles on a massive scale for a competitive cost. Creating or updating auto parts and subassemblies involves the same general pro- cesses as engineering and designing a vehicle. This is true for a simple device with no mov- ing parts as well as a complete engine or transmission. Engineers work together to create quality devices that can be manufactured at reasonable prices. Assembly Technician and Inspector Today, complex robots perform many automotive assembly line jobs, but not all. There is still, however, a great demand for human beings who can react to and compensate for unexpected manufacturing developments. Gorodenkoff/Shutterstock.com Figure 1-8. An idea for a vehicle or component part developed by automotive designers, engineers, and other professionals requires creative vision, teamwork, and appropriate testing to become a real-world product.