The demands on automotive manufacturing are constantly increasing. Vehicles, including their electronic and digital equipment, are becoming increasingly complex. As a result, the development processes are also becoming more complex. The establishment of a quality management system is therefore not only a sensible step, but a mandatory standard. This also includes measurement technology in development. Michael Schmidt, Head of Test & Validation at MVI AUTOMOTIVE, and measurement technician Niklas Rausch provide an insight into a possible lateral entry into the highly complex measurement technology activities.

In the product development of cars, measurement data provides meaningful information regarding material properties and component behavior. The data results generated by the measurements can influence prototype development and design methods. This is why OEMs can hardly do without measurement technology these days.

MVI AUTOMOTIVE has been commissioned by a southern German OEM to equip its test vehicles with measurement technology and carry out tests so that the vehicles can later roll off the production line without any problems.

Michael Schmidt, Head of Test & Validation at MVI AUTOMOTIVE, explains: “We have employees with specialist training and many years of relevant experience in the field of electronics and measurement technology for such complex tasks.” However, there are also colleagues who develop from test drivers to measurement technicians through a particularly high level of commitment. “That is possible with us, but we look at each case individually. Because anyone who takes this career path with us has to show outstanding commitment and patience – but is rewarded with varied and interesting tasks.”
It can take two years before you are actually fully trained in the field of measurement technology. A few basic requirements are necessary to start the journey from test driver to measurement technician.

Niklas Rausch, a young colleague, gives us an insight into his experiences so far:
“I’ve been training to become a measurement technician for 10 months, 4 of them at MVI. Before that, I had already started working in metrology at my last company. After my training as an automotive mechatronics technician, I worked in a development workshop and kept coming into contact with metrology topics until I decided to expand my knowledge in this field. I have never been afraid of new challenges and I am a very eager learner.  What’s more, I’ve also been interested in electronic systems before.
These are basic requirements. Thanks to my work in the development workshop, I was already familiar with vehicle bus systems and flashing was nothing new to me.
The main learning and time-consuming challenges in measurement technology are the areas of measurement sensors and the configuration of the various systems. In addition, I had to familiarize myself with a lot of new software tools, without which this work would not work. What is still very challenging for me at the moment is the issue of error analysis in order to get a measurement system working in conjunction with the test vehicle. You can only position yourself as a career changer if you have a good understanding of hardware and software technology.”

There are other candidates in Michael Schmidt’s team who want to develop into measurement technicians. Due to the ever-increasing networking and electrification in vehicle construction, there will continue to be a high demand for measurement technicians in the future. “Our measurement technicians are not only comprehensively trained in measurement technology processes, but also in vehicle-specific applications, and we are already leaders in this field,” summarizes Schmidt.