Diversity & Inclusion, Hints and Tips, Home Page, People, Quality, Top Story, Who We Are

A real passion and skill for developing people and capability

Kevin Stride’s career journey at Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) is a testament to the company’s commitment to fostering talent from within. Starting as an apprentice, Kevin has worked his way up to a director’s level.

Kevin attributes his success to the exceptional culture at JLR, which acknowledges the significance of every individual’s skills and contributions. The company’s supportive and collaborative environment empowers its employees to cultivate their talents, take risks and foster innovation. This culture of inclusivity and excellence has been instrumental in propelling JLR to the forefront of the automotive industry.

As we sat down with Kevin, We delved into the intricacies of the Quality department at Jaguar Land Rover. With his extensive experience, Kevin was able to provide valuable insights into what makes working at JLR so special. From his perspective, he revealed the key elements of the company’s unique culture and work environment that make it an exceptional place to work. In addition, Kevin offered expert advice and tips for individuals aspiring to join the Quality department at JLR, shedding light on the skills and qualities that are essential for success in this field.

Q: What position did you start in and what is your position now? Please describe your current responsibilities. 

I started as an undergraduate apprentice in Engineering, following a career path that ultimately led to full vehicle and architecture project leadership at Executive level, delivering more than 20 car projects, two full architectures with 2 World Car of the Year recipients. My latest assignment is Director of Forward Model Quality, providing a partnership role with the future product  programmes, to ensure that the content maximises Customer Satisfaction and builds in Quality in every part of the Design, Engineering and Manufacturing process.

Q: Are you involved in any other projects / networks? If so, please describe what they are and what your contributions are. 

I am a recently appointed Trustee Director of Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust, providing my knowledge and network gained over many years in Jaguar Land Rover, to assist the goals of the Trust.

Q: What do you like about working here?

Whilst there is an obvious draw from the exceptional products we create and enjoy, the skills and culture of the people across the whole of JLR is very special for me, which continues to grow in very positive steps. The diversity of talent we have is world class and critical as we move through a rapidly changing external environment. On a practical level, significant investment has gone into the working environment, which is inspiring and reflective of how important people are valued in JLR.

Q: Describe your team / department, and what makes it stand out from our competition? 

The Forward Model Quality Team consists of an incredibly diverse set of highly motivated people, representing a vast range of experience from within and outside the Auto industry. Expertise exists from the more traditional Vehicle Engineering and Manufacture, through Electrified Propulsion, to deep knowledge of Digital Products and Services. The experiences and collaborative leadership styles at all levels in our team, have gained inclusion and respect from the whole Enterprise, representing a first class Quality capability as a Business Partner.

Q: Tell us 3 interesting facts about yourself.

  • I’m an avid Mountain Biker and have raced the Megavalanche event in the Alps
  • One of my dogs is half wolf
  • My first car (and introduction to welding!) was a Triumph Vitesse Mk2 Convertible, that by chance, was built on the day I was born.

Q: What hints and tips can you share with the potential candidates who are going through the application / interview process? 

A demonstrated ability to create positive relationships across an Enterprise, to influence a complex set of stakeholders is a critical part of contributing to the success of our team’s purpose.

A real passion and skill for developing people and capability is part of our Team Brand.

Autonomous, Electrical Engineering, Engineering, Featured, Germany, Home Page, Italy, Software, Spain, Technology

JAGUAR LAND ROVER CREATES FURTHER THREE GLOBAL TECH HUBS TO DEVELOP AUTONOMOUS CARS

  • New engineering hubs opening in Germany, Italy and Spain to develop next-generation autonomous technologies
  • Nearly 100 new jobs created working on developing driver assistance systems and artificial intelligence (AI) for self-driving cars of the future
  • Comes in addition to the six JLR tech hubs in USA, Hungary, Ireland, UK, China and India
  • Marks the next phase in Jaguar Land Rover’s digital transformation and global digital recruitment drive, as big tech industry downsizing continues
  • New technology hubs are part of strategic partnership with NVIDIA and adds to Jaguar Land Rover’s growing global footprint

Gaydon, UK, Tuesday 21st February 2023: Jaguar Land Rover is expanding its global digital capability by opening three new tech hubs in Europe, creating nearly 100 new engineering jobs.

The hubs are set up to develop autonomous driving systems for JLR’s next generation of modern luxury vehicles, and come in addition to the six existing global tech hubs JLR has invested in. 

The new hubs are situated in Munich Germany, Bologna Italy, and Madrid Spain, with the locations chosen because of the availability of digital engineering skills in the area.

Munich is one of Europe’s top-ranking technology hubs*, while the sites in Spain and Italy have also been identified as significant and growing tech hub locations in Europe**.  

The new hubs’ inception comes in addition to existing JLR tech hubs in Portland USA, Budapest Hungary, Shannon Ireland, Shanghai China, Bengaluru India and Manchester in the UK. Collectively these hubs employ over 1100 engineers, forming part of JLR’s nearly 9000 strong global engineering force.

Together Jaguar Land Rover’s nine global engineering hubs will provide services and feed data into the Advanced Product Creation Centre in Gaydon, UK, to create Jaguar Land Rover’s next generation vehicles that epitomise modern luxury and deliver a fully connected experience for customer.

Thomas Müller, Product Engineering Director at Jaguar Land Rover, said; “We are harnessing talent in autonomous technologies around the world to develop new autonomous technologies for our future products which will deliver a truly modern luxury experience for our clients

“Software is essential for us to deliver a fully connected experience for our clients and creating global engineering hubs will enable seamless hybrid working across several locations and ensure we harness the best talent for our business.”

The creation of the three new tech hubs marks the progression of Jaguar Land Rover’s multi-year partnership with NVIDIA, the leader in artificial intelligence (AI) and computing. Under the partnership, JLR engineers are working to develop and deliver next-generation automated driving systems, digital services, and experiences for clients.

Teams based at the new tech hubs have expertise spanning areas of autonomous technology including systems & features, software, verification & validation and hardware.

Candidates can find out more about Jaguar Land Rover’s digital and engineering opportunities HERE.

All roles offer hybrid working patterns.

Culture and Values, Diversity & Inclusion, Featured, Home Page, People, United Kingdom, Who We Are

International Women’s Day

As we celebrate International Women’s Day, it’s important to reflect on the progress we’ve made towards gender equality, but also to acknowledge that there is still much work to be done. As women, we have a responsibility to support each other and create a sense of belonging in our workplaces.

In large global organisations like Jaguar Land Rover, it is easy to feel like just another number. It’s important to remember that every woman has a unique perspective and set of experiences that can bring value to the table. By actively listening to and supporting each other, we can create a more inclusive and supportive environment for everyone.

We asked our female colleagues to share stories about times when they felt inspired and encouraged by other women. Jo Hill simply couldn’t wait to share her story about Georgina Green, “Georgie continually supports my development as an informal mentor and coach. She helps me find solutions when I don’t have clarity, by being available and listening. Her support for my development has been demonstrated particularly through the Team Improvement Circle (TIC) programme and more recently in her new role as Learning Manager. She encouraged my involvement with the wider TIC central activity, with opportunities to support events and this year I have been given the opportunity to learn and grow as the HR Admin for HR.

Already I have pushed myself out of my comfort zone by delivering 3 lunch and learns, I would not have had the confidence or the knowledge without Georgie’s support. I have appreciated all her support over many years and feel her contribution to the development of others is amazing and deserves celebration.”

We also extended an invitation to Georgina to offer her insights and future aspirations, allowing us to gain a valuable perspective from her unique journey. She shared, “From the moment I joined Jaguar Land Rover in 2018 I have had the pleasure of working with such wonderfully diverse teams and individuals right across our global business. The opportunities, experiences and people I have met have truly changed my life and contributed towards shaping me into the person I am today. Anyone who knows me, knows that I am passionate about people. Alongside my role within the My Growth & Development experience, I sit on the Committees for the Team Improvement Circle (TIC) programme and the Gender Equality Network (GEN), as I want to drive, champion and celebrate the culture that we are building together at Jaguar Land Rover.

When it comes to supporting other women, I try to set a good example, this can be as simple as ensuring I speak up in meetings or looking for ways to shape the conversation to ensure women feel included or empowered to speak. I feel that being positive, transparent and approachable has enabled me to connect with colleagues and I have been lucky enough to support some fantastic women in their growth and development as an informal mentor. Women can often be prone to more self-doubt than men, but by simply showing you care, giving feedback or introducing new opportunities you can make a huge difference to boosting another woman’s confidence.”

One way to create an inclusive and supportive environment for everyone is by actively seeking out opportunities to connect with and mentor other women in the workplace. By sharing our experiences and knowledge, we can help each other navigate the challenges and obstacles that we all face in our careers. We can also create a network of support that can help us advance in our careers and achieve our goals. Let’s make a commitment to support and uplift each other as women, not just on International Women’s Day, but every day. Together, we can create a more equitable and inclusive workplace where all women can thrive.

Join our company and be part of a team that is committed to transforming the culture and shaping the future. Your unique talents and perspectives will make a significant impact and help us create a better tomorrow. Find the latest opportunities here.

#InternationalWomensDay #WomenSupportingWomen #Belonging #Inclusion #Diversity

Analtyics, Analytics, Culture and Values, Diversity & Inclusion, Featured, Graduate, Hints and Tips, Home Page, Marketing, Sales & Service, People, Supply Chain & Logistics, United Kingdom

A positive, productive environment where everyone can thrive

Emma joined Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) as an undergraduate in 2016. After finishing her Business Management degree, she returned to the Graduate scheme where she worked in Aftersales Supply Chain in Global Customer Care.

She found her passion in working to improve Retailer experience in the Retailer Performance team for a couple of years. Exposure to the Retailer network ignited her interest in getting closer to JLR’s clients, she then jumped on the opportunity to join the Retailer Performance Intelligence team within Revenue & Loyalty in 2021 where she works today.

We asked her to share her experiences here at JLR as a Retailer Performance Intelligence Senior Consultant.

Q: Please describe your current responsibilities. 

My main responsibility is to provide data-driven insights to JLR’s global customer service teams and Retailer networks to drive improved revenues and customer satisfaction which is critical to delivering JLR’s Modern Luxury vision.

Q: Are you involved in any other projects / networks? If so, please describe what they are and what your contributions are. 

Up until recently, I was an active member of the Commercial Change Agent group where I supported several function-wide initiatives such as the Christmas Bake Off and the departmental shared common objective. Due to my current work responsibilities, I have had to take a step back from the Change Agent group however I am still actively championing the Commercial Wellbeing group. I take inspiration from our Commercial Wellbeing Lead, Kristina Brain, who volunteers above and beyond her day job, to drive real change in the way we collaborate and look out for one another.

Q: What do you like about working here?

I like working at JLR because of the volume of opportunities available to try new things and meet new people. For me, the extra things that happen outside of the day job, such as Coffee Roulette, learning a new skill through Employee Learning Scheme (ELS), and flexible working arrangements that enable us to work offsite at exciting locations such as Classics keep me motivated.

Q: What are your career aspirations? Do you feel that you get the necessary support from your management / department to help achieve your learning & development goal? 

I aspire to make a positive impact on the people, projects, and processes around me. Whether that be by checking in with a colleague who doesn’t seem themselves that day or supporting a project to bring in £1.8 million revenue to JLR. One person stands out to me when I think about my personal and professional development within JLR and that is my mentor – Jessica Tubb. I admire Jess for being an influential female leader within her department and thank her for expanding my perception, encouraging me to break barriers, and elevating my confidence.

Q: Describe your team / department, and what makes it stand out from our competition? 

I would describe my team as ‘forward-thinking’, driven by the belief that feedback and collaboration are the keys to success. The team is composed of motivated individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences giving us a unique perspective on the challenges we face, and how we bring out the best in each other. Whether it’s sharing insights, bouncing ideas off each other, or simply offering support, our team is always working to create a positive, productive environment where everyone can thrive.

Q: Tell us 3 interesting facts about yourself.

Outside of work, I like to keep active and play for JLR’s Netball team (shameless recruitment plug – if anyone is interested in joining please get in contact). I need to keep active to counteract my other interest – food. I’m a known foodie and will jump on any opportunity to travel to a new country or go to a new restaurant to try local cuisines. Without a doubt, Japan is the best country I have visited and wined and dined in.

Q: What hints and tips can you share with the potential candidates who are going through the application / interview process? 

Be yourself and have confidence in what you bring to the table. Jaguar Land Rover is going through an exciting period of change so its an excellent time to join the company and make a positive impact.

Search for your opportunity here.

Analtyics, Analytics, Culture and Values, Diversity & Inclusion, Electrical Engineering, Engineering, Featured, Home Page, People, Powertrain, Research, Software, Technology, Top Story, United Kingdom, Who We Are

We live and breathe Diversity and Inclusion everyday

Lead Commodity Engineer Dr Nancy Liu loves science. Since the age of 3, her family knew that she was good at maths and loved experimenting with things.

Over the years, Nancy has earned her professional credentials from various different organisations and universities. She has a PhD in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from the University of Nottingham, after achieving a Master’s degree in Aircraft Control Engineering in Northwestern Polytechnical University in China – a Chinese national Class A Double first Class University.

Nancy was also featured in dSPACE magazine, providing user feedback on dSPACE simulators on behalf of Jaguar Land Rover Powertrain.

Nancy has worked in Jaguar Land Rover for almost 15 years. We asked her to share her experiences here as a lead engineer in Science.

Q: What position did you start in and what is your position now? Please describe your current responsibilities. 

‘As a lead engineer, I am responsible for planning and building the test rigs. Essentially, I write scripts to test the BECM (Battery Energy Control Module) software to ensure they all meet the JLR standards.

On a daily basis I carry out rigorous manual and automation testing in our laboratory. I work in collaboration with our commodity owners and managers to ensure we deliver the battery management system with the highest quality, on time.’

Q: Are you involved in any other projects / networks? If so, please describe what they are and what your contributions are. 

‘I previously supported our Electrical Integration team to update software for over 200 vehicles in China. We worked closely with the British manufacturing technicians and the Chinese retailers / warehouse employees.

In addition to the engineering aspect of my job, I also helped building relationships. I removed certain ambiguity when discussing complex projects; I knocked down language barriers by providing face-to-face professional interpretations, offering a greater context with my Chinese language skills and cultural background.

I previously led the powertrain HIL (hardware-in-the-loop) lab, assembling the team of 7 engineers from scratch. We did a thorough upgrade of all the hardware and software in the lab. The HIL facilities are still in use by many of our Jaguar Land Rover colleagues today and I am very proud of this achievement.’

Q: What do you like about working in Jaguar Land Rover?

‘I love science and engineering. Jaguar Land Rover provided me with this fantastic opportunity which allows me to combine the knowledge I have gained from years of studying and researching, with the practical aspect – I play with the latest software and cutting edge equipment daily. I work with a bunch of knowledgeable and enthusiastic people. What’s not to like?’

Q: What are your career aspirations? Do you feel that you get the necessary support from your management / department to help achieve your learning & development goal? 

‘I love my job, hardware-in-the-loop in particular. My manager is also very supportive, we often have open discussions about the technical issues as well as my personal development opportunities. I feel encouraged, empowered and supported to achieve more.’

Q: Describe your team / department, and what makes it stand out from our competition? 

‘The Battery Management Control System team consists of employees from 8 different countries. We live and breathe Diversity and Inclusion everyday. I am the only female in my team, and we are all being treated equally. Everyone’s voice and opinions matter.’

Q: Tell us 3 interesting facts about yourself.

‘I am not all science and numbers, I also like art – I often paint in my spare time to relax and clear my mind; I am a keen traveller, my dream is to travel around the world one day.’

Q: What hints and tips can you share with the potential candidates who are going through the application / interview process? 

‘Have the relevant background knowledge and be confident in your answers.’