DIYguru recently hosted a high-impact webinar aimed at empowering professionals to build future-ready careers in the rapidly growing electric mobility industry. “Career Opportunities in the E-Mobility Sector” this session served as a gateway for participants to explore in-demand EV roles, essential skills, and strategic pathways to succeed in this transformative sector.
Date: Wednesday, 30th April Time: 7:30 PM IST (Completed)
The electric vehicle (EV) sector is at the center of India’s transportation transformation. Due to increased concern regarding pollution, energy dependency, and the lack of sustainable alternatives, EVs are no longer an outlier, but a necessity. For students, engineers, and working professionals, this change offers a great potential to establish a career that is prepared for the future.
In this article, we will cover India’s EV ecosystem, recruitment trends, government policies, career plans, and what India’s aspiring candidates willing to enter the industry need to do to stay aligned with the requirements.
Overview of Electric Vehicles Ecosystem in India
The journey towards electric mobility in India started gaining traction over the last ten years. While attempts like the Reva electric car in the early 2000s were made, they were ahead of their time, as meaningful growth came with policy frameworks like the National Electric Mobility Mission Plan (NEMMP) and the Fostering Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles (FAME) schemes. In particular, the FAME-II policy which aimed at subsidizing electric two-wheelers, buses, and shared mobility for consumer spending as well as manufacturing interest placed focus on encouraging adoption and interest in subsidies.
Leading automotive regions such as Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Delhi-NCR have become centers of EV manufacturing, motor vehicles design, research and development (R&D), and battery production. Consequently, engineering, software development, marketing, sales, and even maintenance are some of the many jobs that are rapidly growing in these areas.
Government Initiatives and Business Policies
To further fuel this development, the Government of India has implemented policies to attract both industry investment and available labor. The Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme focuses on the development of EV batteries and components, while policies at the state level provide financial incentives for the purchase of EVs along with assistance for the development of the charging stations.
NAPS (National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme) provides fresh graduates and diploma holders with an entry level position in the EV space through apprenticeship programs, allowing them to earn while learning. Many employers seek employees under such government-sponsored programs as it enables them to mold prospective employees at reduced costs while providing students with hands-on industrial experience.
Job Market and Corporate Developments
The current landscape of the Indian electric vehicle (EV) market comprises OEMs, startups, battery technology firms, and infrastructure developers. Established players like Tata Motors, Mahindra Electric, and Ashok Leyland are integrating more EVs into their portfolios. Startups such as Ather Energy, Ola Electric, and Ultraviolette are capturing market share in the two-wheeler segment with innovations in design, battery swappable systems, and connectivity.
Firms like Amara Raja and Log9 Materials in battery manufacturing and infrastructural companies such as Tata Power and Statiq are staffing positions in R&D, software, thermal management, field operations, and embedded systems.
There is a noticeable increase in the hiring of engineers specializing in embedded systems, MATLAB/Simulink, BMS, CAN communication, and motor control. Employed fresh graduates in these specialties tend to receive higher starting salaries compared to their peers if they possess relevant project work or certification.
Career Progression and Expected Salaries
Recent graduates starting with an internship or apprenticeship will most likely receive a stipend between ₹10,000 – ₹15,000 per month. A full-time entry level position typically falls in the range of ₹3 – 6 LPA depending on the industry, technical skill set, and geographic location. Engineers with simulation, control systems, or product design experience using MATLAB, ANSYS, and SolidWorks tend to progress their careers faster and achieve salaries between ₹8 – 12 LPA in approximately 3 – 5 years.
Sales and Business Development positions also present good opportunities for advancement especially for individuals with a market plus value understanding. These jobs are becoming more and more strategic in nature in terms of performing market research, acquiring partners, serving as a point of relay to the government as opposed to cold calling or selling
Hiring Decisions: Process and Allocation
Hiring in EV sector, particularly for startups and other tech-centric firms tend to be more collaborative and multi-stage in nature. They include technical rounds and HR interviews, concluding with managerial sign-offs. For engineering positions, hiring managers expect students to provide tangible proof of skills such as completed personal projects, GitHub profiles, or capstone projects done during certification programs.
Students should refrain from incessantly lashing out at the HR gatekeepers or continually demanding updates on their application’s progression. A refined approach like sending a perfectly timed status check accompanied with a polished resume and a project folder make a professional statement.
The Significance of Resume, Portfolio, and Personal Branding
Resumes will always be relevant, however, a well-crafted portfolio can be beneficial particularly in engineering and design disciplines. Recruiters prefer observing your work, what you have built, simulated, or contributed to. For example, if you are applying for a MATLAB simulation position, posting your Simulink models on GitHub along with a summary of your results and assumptions is commendable.
Also, marketing and sales aspirants can put together a portfolio containing event reports, case studies, and even campaign proposals. During interviews, being able to articulate their work clearly, confidently, and with moderate understatement is essential. This type of self-advocacy, when put forth with concrete proof, becomes very impactful.
DIYguru’s Support and Industry Collaborations
Institutions such as DIYguru are making headway in closing the gaps of the academic knowledge and the industry requirements. DIYguru prepares students with hands-on project experience through accredited courses in electric mobility, battery systems, vehicle dynamics, and embedded software.
Students are provided with unparalleled access to internships, collaborative projects, and employment portals through partnerships with MathWorks, Ather Energy, Tata Elxsi, and UK and German government bodies.
DIYguru also facilitates job readiness through capstone mentoring, resume crafting sessions, and mock interviews. Other placement assistance covers the use of a jobs database, aligning with recruiter expectations, and counseling for various professional backgrounds.
Guiding Actions for New Graduates and Changing Careers
From new graduates to plant maintenance personnel and mechanical engineers, we believe entering the EV industry is possible for anyone willing to reskill. These are the simple steps to follow:
- Define your area of focus. Be it embedded systems, thermal management, battery analytics or even EV sales, identify your area of specialization.
- Do a self-assessment. Evaluate your current skill set and compare it with the requirements in real-time job postings.
- Seek targeted education. Sign up for project-based courses such as DIYguru’s Nanodegree or PG Certification.
- Establish and promote your portfolio. These days, projects are more valuable than certifications.
- Connect and apply. Use LinkedIn on a regular basis, attend the Auto Exhibition and keep in touch with mentors.
Those coming from traditional industries such as mechanical or thermal plants should target SCADA, MATLAB, and EV safety training for maintenance or diagnostic positions in EV fleets or charging networks.
Final Thoughts: Matching Aims with Industry Requirements
The development of Electric Vehicles (EVs) in India is transformative, both in terms of technology and people. The sector today hires on the basis of entrepreneurial spirit, ingenuity, and practical know-how, stressing experience over scholarly achievements. There is a shift among employers towards hiring individuals who are ready to approach the role of a strategists and achieve goals that are set in a dynamic, evolving industry.
In case you have well defined milestones and are open to taking the pain of demonstrating effort, the EV space in India presents exciting opportunities and promising careers like no other region in the world today.
