Electric Vehicles in 2026: How the EV Revolution Is Reshaping Engineering Careers in India (Updated June 2026) (Updated June 2026)

India's EV market crossed 1.5 million units sold in FY2026 — and the manufacturing infrastructure behind it is transforming Maharashstra’s industrial map. Ather Energy is building its second gigafactory in Bidkin (Sambhajinagar's AURIC belt), Bajaj Auto's electric division in Akurdi is scaling up Chetak production with 164+ active openings, and Tata Motors' EV hub in Pune-Ranjangaon is hiring across design, battery systems, and embedded controls. What most engineers don't realize is that EVs aren't just an automotive domain anymore — they're pulling in electrical engineers for charging systems, mechanical engineers for thermal management and structural design, and software engineers for embedded controls and BMS. If you're an engineering student in Maharashtra in 2026, the EV sector is one of the clearest pathways to a well-paying, future-proof role.

India's EV Industry in 2026: The Numbers Behind the Boom

India's electric vehicle transition isn't a slow policy rollout anymore — it's a market-driven acceleration. Two-wheeler EVs now account for over 12% of total two-wheeler sales in India, and that number is climbing. The FAME II scheme drove ₹10,000+ crore into EV infrastructure and manufacturing subsidies. PLI (Production Linked Incentive) for Automobile and Auto Components is channelling another ₹26,058 crore into domestic EV manufacturing. Bajaj Auto's Chetak electric scooter plant in Akurdi is running near capacity. Tata Motors' Ranjangaon plant assembles the Nexon EV, Punch EV, and Curvv EV. Ather Energy's Bidkin facility (AURIC, Sambhajinagar) is scaling to over 1 million units per year. Hyosung's ₹3,000 crore investment in Sambhajinagar's AURIC includes EV component manufacturing. Mahindra's electric SUV platform (BE and XEV series) is produced at its Chakan facility near Pune. The good news: this scale of manufacturing creates jobs not just in assembly but across the entire engineering value chain — from component design to quality to charging network deployment.

What Skills Do EV Companies Actually Hire For?

Here's the thing most students assume: EV companies only hire electronics and software engineers. That's wrong. The hiring picture is much broader. Mechanical engineers are needed for structural design of battery packs, thermal management systems, chassis modifications, and suspension tuning for EV weight distribution. Electrical engineers are needed for charging system design, power electronics, motor drives, and vehicle-level electrical architecture. Software and embedded systems engineers handle BMS (Battery Management System) firmware, CAN bus protocols, and ADAS integration. CAD designers in NX, CATIA, and SolidWorks model EV-specific components: battery housing, motor mounting brackets, cooling channels. Manufacturing engineers handle EV-specific processes like battery pack assembly, wiring harness, and cell formation testing. The skill crossover means that a mechanical engineer who adds EV-specific CAD module experience, or an electrical engineer who adds AutoCAD Electrical for wiring harness design, can target multiple role types in the same company.

EV Engineering Role	Skills Required	Entry Salary Pune	Companies Hiring in Maharashtra
EV Component Design Engineer	CATIA / NX CAD, GD&T, sheet metal design	₹4.5–8 LPA	Tata Tech, KPIT, Bajaj Auto, Mahindra
Battery Systems Engineer	Li-ion cell knowledge, BMS design, thermal management	₹7–12 LPA	Tata Motors Ranjangaon, Ather Energy Bidkin
Electrical Wiring Harness Engineer	AutoCAD Electrical, EPLAN, wiring diagram reading	₹4–8 LPA	Bajaj Akurdi, Endurance, Mahindra Chakan
EV Charging Infrastructure Engineer	AutoCAD Electrical, OCPP, HT/LT panel design	₹4.5–9 LPA	Tata Power, HPCL, Jio-bp, Statiq, ABB India
Embedded Controls Engineer	C/C++, CAN bus, AUTOSAR, MATLAB Simulink	₹6–12 LPA	KPIT Technologies, Bosch Pune, Siemens Pune

CAD and Electrical Design in EV Manufacturing

CAD software is as central to EV engineering as it is to traditional automotive manufacturing — perhaps more so, because EV components are newer and companies don't have legacy tooling to fall back on. Tata Technologies' EV design division (which supports Tata Motors, JLR, and Ford) uses CATIA V5/V6 and NX CAD for body, chassis, and powertrain component design. KPIT Technologies, Pune's major automotive software and engineering services company, uses NX CAD for EV integration projects. Bajaj Auto's EV component engineering team uses CATIA. AutoCAD Electrical is the tool for wiring harness routing diagrams and electrical connection sheets — a document every EV manufacturer requires in its VDR (Vehicle Design Record). For battery pack design specifically, CATIA Composites and sheet metal modules in NX are used for the pack enclosure and mounting structures. Engineers who can work in these CAD environments and understand EV-specific design constraints — thermal expansion clearances, high-voltage isolation requirements, vibration damping for cell modules — are in genuine short supply in Maharashtra's auto belt.

EV Charging Infrastructure: A Fast-Growing Career Segment

EV charging infrastructure is a career segment that barely existed in India three years ago and is now a legitimate engineering specialty. Every petrol pump operator, highway authority, apartment developer, and industrial estate is planning charging infrastructure. Tata Power, Jio-bp, HPCL, and Statiq are building fast-charging networks across Maharashtra's highways and cities. The engineering roles: Charging Station Design Engineer (electrical panel design, earthing, load calculations, single-line diagrams), Site Survey and Civil Engineer (foundation, canopy, cable trenching), and Network Operations Engineer (OCPP protocol, remote monitoring). AutoCAD Electrical skills are directly applicable to charging station electrical design — MSEDCL connection drawings, protection relay diagrams, and HT cable layout are all AutoCAD Electrical deliverables. The EV charging market in India is projected to cross ₹10,000 crore by 2027, and every project needs qualified electrical design engineers. In Pune, Sambhajinagar, Sangli, and Kolhapur, charging infrastructure projects along NH-48 and NH-65 corridors are creating local opportunities.

EV Jobs and Salaries in Pune, Sambhajinagar, and Maharashtra

EV Design Engineers at Tata Tech, KPIT, and Bajaj Auto in Pune earn ₹4.5–9 LPA at entry level (0–2 years) and ₹9–16 LPA at mid level (3–6 years), per AmbitionBox and 6figr data from June 2026. Battery Systems Engineers with BMS and power electronics expertise command ₹7–15 LPA. Embedded Software Engineers for EV firmware earn ₹6–14 LPA. In Sambhajinagar's AURIC belt, Bajaj Auto Waluj (Plot G-137), Ather Energy Bidkin, and Endurance Technologies (E-92) offer fresher EV manufacturing roles at ₹3.5–6 LPA with strong growth trajectories as their EV lines scale. In Pune's Wagholi corridor, Mercedes-Benz's India R&D centre and Mahindra Research Valley in Chakan both have EV-focused openings. Sangli's SMMMA member companies (Kupwad MIDC) are beginning to hire EV component fabricators. Kolhapur's Bharat Forge Kagal plant has EV component forging roles emerging. The career is clearly strongest in Pune and Sambhajinagar today, with the rest of Maharashtra catching up by 2027.

Maharashtra students can apply for the CMYKPY (Chief Minister's Youth Kaushal Yojana) stipend of ₹6,000–10,000 toward EV-related engineering training courses. PMKVY 4.0 also covers EV and clean energy modules for eligible candidates. Speak to our ABC Trainings admissions team to check your scheme eligibility.

FAQs

Which engineering branch is best for a career in electric vehicles in India?

All core engineering branches have strong entry points into the EV industry. Mechanical engineers are needed for structural and thermal design, manufacturing, and quality. Electrical engineers are in demand for charging systems, wiring harness, and motor drives. Electronics and embedded systems engineers handle BMS and control software. Even civil engineers find opportunities in EV charging infrastructure projects. The key is adding EV-specific skills — relevant software, understanding of battery technology, and EV design standards — on top of your core branch knowledge.

What CAD software should I learn to get a job in EV manufacturing?

For EV component design roles, CATIA V5/V6 (used at Bajaj Auto, Tata Tech, Mahindra) and Siemens NX (used at KPIT and Tier-1 suppliers) are the primary platforms. For wiring harness and charging system electrical documentation, AutoCAD Electrical and EPLAN Electric P8 are standard. If you're targeting battery pack design, NX CAD's sheet metal and composites modules are relevant. ABC Trainings offers courses in all these platforms with practical EV project exercises to build your portfolio.

Which EV companies are hiring in Pune and Sambhajinagar in 2026?

In Pune: Bajaj Auto Akurdi (Chetak EV, 164+ regular openings), Tata Motors Ranjangaon (Nexon EV, Punch EV, Curvv EV), Mahindra Research Valley Chakan (BE and XEV series), Mercedes-Benz India R&D Pune, KPIT Technologies Pune, and Tata Technologies. In Sambhajinagar's AURIC belt: Ather Energy Bidkin (gigafactory expansion), Bajaj Auto Waluj (Plot G-137, EV components), Endurance Technologies E-92 (EV structural parts). Bosch Pune and Siemens Pune also have EV electronics and software openings.

What is the salary of an EV Design Engineer in Pune in 2026?

EV Design Engineers with 0–2 years of experience in Pune typically earn ₹4.5–8 LPA. Mid-level EV engineers with 3–6 years earn ₹9–15 LPA. Battery Systems Engineers and BMS specialists command a premium: ₹7–14 LPA at entry-mid level due to the specialized skills involved. These figures are from AmbitionBox and 6figr, June 2026. In Sambhajinagar, Ather Energy and Bajaj Waluj EV roles start at ₹3.5–6 LPA for freshers with strong CAD or electrical design portfolios.