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Early Careers, Engineering, Featured, Hints and Tips, Home Page, Manufacturing Engineering, People, Undergraduate, United Kingdom, Who We Are

I have a future here at JLR

Jaguar Land Rover Careers

Meet our incredible Ana. Find out what motivated her to join JLR and what inspired her to re-join the company after her graduation.

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

I am an Electronic & Complex System undergrad and I am a part of the Semiconductor Resilience Team. Our team is responsible for the hardware, making sure the obsolete semiconductor components have a viable replacement. In addition, we make sure the schematics and a bill of materials (BOMs) are aligned.

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

I am part of the Women In Engineering & Allies network, with the aim to include as many people as possible, in the gender diversity discussions and to promote a diverse and inclusive working environment within engineering and the wilder business. I am also a key member of the REACH (Race, Ethnicity and Cultural Heritage) network and the African and Caribbean Heritage Network community. I feel that my African and Caribbean heritage allows me to offer my unique experiences and knowledge to further support these networks.

Additionally, I am part of the DRIVEN project. It is a team of JLR employees ages between 16-25 who race an endurance single seater electric car at race circuits around the UK against 70+ competitors from various universities, schools and other engineering companies globally, such as Cummins, Renishaw and Rolls Royce, in the international Greenpower F24+ Racing Series.

I am also part of the ESAC (Electrical, Software and Controls) and the CAD (Computer-Aided Design) teams. We are working on improving the design of the new car that is going to be used for the races, for ESAC is to work on the Electronic Systems of the cars and CAD to provide support over the design of the car in 3D experience.

Q: What do you like about working here?

As a black woman in Engineering, I was a bit sceptical when I fist joined the company. I then quickly discovered I am actually working for a diverse and inclusive company, with a wide range of projects that are accessible to young men and women like myself. There are so many opportunities here at JLR, full of passionate and talented people. It is a really exciting time to be part of this company, with new House of Brands, electrification, autonomous driving, company’s commitment to drive sustainability – these are just some of the reasons I really enjoy working here.

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?

One of my career aspirations is to become a Chartered Engineer. Being an undergraduate, this dream has always felt so far away. My manager however made me aware of all the support I could get from the company and whom I could reach out to within our own department and team, which made it all achievable for me to gain those extra accreditation.

Further down the line, I would love to become an Engineering Manager, to manage complex programmes and help other people to achieve their dreams. I have been given the opportunity to meet and shadow other managers, understand and explore different management styles. This has inspired me more to become a manager one day. I am still due to finish my degree and I really look forward to re-joining JLR after my graduation.

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

I am a part of the Semiconductor Resilience team.

After companies faced an enormous challenge with the Semiconductor shortage, it was crucial to our industry to make sure that whatever happens, we are prepared. That is the context of our team, making sure that we know exactly what semiconductor content goes into our vehicles, and if by any chance there is a shortage, we will know about it in our planning stages, well before our vehicle line starts production. Not only will we know about it, but we will be able to replace the components in question and make the necessary alterations to our systems, in case there is no immediate replacements.

By doing so, it makes us stand out from our competitors, because we are more prepared and can account for changes early on the processes, before losing potentially millions of pounds!

Q: Tell us 3 interesting facts about yourself.

I have done triathlon for almost 10 years (since I was 7);

I am from Portugal;

My very first car was a Renault Clio from 1998, very resilient.

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

Be yourself, JLR appreciates authentic and honest individuals;

Showcase your strengths, be proud of what you have achieved.

Find out more about our Early Careers programmes, click here

Body Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Engineering, United Kingdom, Who We Are

Become a Vehicle Technician

Jaguar Land Rover Careers

In a world where innovation meets a love for vehicles, follow Edan Lloyd’s path within JLR’s Prototype Vehicle Operations (PVO) department. Starting as an apprentice, Edan’s story is about growth, determination, and hands-on experience. Discover his journey, the exciting projects he’s involved in, and why JLR is the perfect place for skilled vehicle technicians like you. Hear what Edan has to say about his experiences here at JLR:

Q: What was your starting position and what’s your role now? Describe what you do currently.

I began my career as an apprentice at a JLR retailer. Back then, my former colleagues shared their experiences about working at JLR, which motivated me to aim for a direct role in the company. I worked hard during my three-year apprenticeship, and it paid off when I became one of the six people to receive 8 out of 8 distinctions. JLR even sent a letter to congratulate me for this achievement.

After completing my apprenticeship, I couldn’t wait to apply for a technician role here at JLR. Now, I’m a proud vehicle technician in the PVO department. My job involves building prototypes to support the new electrified future, which is really interesting!

Q: Are you working on any other projects or in other groups? Explain what they are and how you contribute.

In addition to my day job being a vehicle tech, I’m also involved in a project where we’re moving the prototype suspension from a Range Rover Sport and adapting it to fit another model. It’s been a cool experience!

Q: What do you enjoy about your job here?

I like everything about working at JLR, from the people I work with to the great facilities. Overall, my journey at JLR has been really enjoyable.

Q: What are your career goals? Do you feel supported by your managers and department for your learning and development?

My goal is to learn more about Prototype Vehicle Operations, understand all the different aspects of the business. I would like to move into engineering in the future to gather more knowledge and experiences to further my career within JLR.

Q: Tell us about your team or department. What makes it better than our competitors?

The team I’m a part of is really ahead of the competition. Everyone here is knowledgeable, experienced, and dedicated to making the brand shine. In the PVO department, we are working together to create a positive environment where everyone can thrive.

Q: Share three interesting things about yourself.

  • I was one of only six people to get 8 distinctions in my apprenticeship
  • I got an offer to compete in a global competition for the best apprentice technician
  • I have a twin and we are very different.

Q: What tips can you give candidates applying or interviewing for a job here?

I’d say do your research about the company, prepare some great examples to showcase your knowledge and experiences, and be your authentic self. Explore career opportunity here at JLR: Click here

Culture and Values, Diversity & Inclusion, Hints and Tips, Home Page, Marketing, Sales & Service, People, United Kingdom, Who We Are

Inclusive, non-judgemental and full of team work and enthusiasm

Jaguar Land Rover Careers

Ever wondered what a career journey looks like when it starts at the age of 19 as a Business Apprentice and leads to becoming a manager? Look no further! Michelle Harman’s path is a rollercoaster of growth, from launching products to leading teams. Dive into her story, aspirations, and tips for success in our latest blog:

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

I started at 19 as a Business apprentice which enabled me to experience many areas of the business. I am now in the Branded Goods area which we call Collections as Planning and Market Performance Manager. I am responsible for the launch management process, project managing the stakeholders to deliver on time to spec. This includes products such as apparel, models, caps, umbrellas etc that retailers may sell or gift to customers along various touchpoints of the Customer Journey. In addition to this I also manage the Markets Performance, working with market champions to understand their needs and ensure we get the global exposure required for our collections.

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

  • Founder and Co-chair of the Working Parents Network – A HUGE passion of mine. Working Parents are often an under represented group in the workplace and there is plenty of unconscious and conscious bias towards working parents – the network helps change culture, empower , engage and educate others.
  • Workforce Experience Projects – At JLR we have plenty f opportunity to make a difference outside our day job and the Workforce experience projects are great to be involved in for this. The last two projects have centred around recognition and wellbeing so it’s very rewarding.
  • I am on the D&I Awards Squad – supporting the growth and engagement in D&I

Q: What do you like about working here?

There is a lot of flexibility to change career direction. The hybrid working is literally life changing for me as a full-time working mother too. The JLR Creator’s Code sits very well with my values, and it is great to see over the years how the culture is really changing for the better.

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? 

To continually add value and be the best version of myself  – this is super important to me. This may be progressing to a senior managers role longer term but essentially, its achieving value add in the business whatever my grade and enjoying what I do, whilst balancing motherhood. Feeing like I am not good at either work or parenthood is soul destroying so getting the balance right is imperative to me. Where you work and who you work for is crucial in supporting this and not being judged on being a mother limiting career progression is important. I am lucky that I have a really supportive manager and he has created a really great, inclusive culture within the Collection and Licensing Team.

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

The collections team is relatively small, but they really work together as a team. The pull to the job for me has always been the team culture which aligns as closely to the Creators’ Code more than any other area I have worked in. The standout for me is everyone truly is their authentic self. For example, It’s ok for a dad to leave work to a poorly child, for someone who is part-time to want to progress their career. Inclusive, non-judgemental and full of team work and enthusiasm.

Q: Tell us 3 interesting facts about yourself.

1. I have a twin sister

2. I am a qualified Neuro Linguistic Practitioner

3. I have worked at JLR since leaving school

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

Always be true to yourself. Recognise your self-limiting beliefs and be kind to yourself. Confidence is key but you have to believe you can do it.

Search for exciting careers opportunities here at JLR: Click Here

Digital, Featured, Home Page, Manchester, People, Software, United Kingdom, Who We Are

An environment that champions learning & development as part of productivity

Jaguar Land Rover Careers

In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, agility has become the foundation of success for organisations striving to stay ahead of the curve. At JLR, one individual who plays a pivotal role in driving agile transformation is Oliver, a Senior Agile Delivery Lead based in the Manchester Digital Delivery Centre (DDC). With his wealth of experience and passion for continuous learning, Oliver has become an integral part of JLR’s journey towards agility. In this Q&A session, we delve into Oliver’s career progression, explore his contributions to various projects, discover what makes JLR’s Agile culture stand out, and gain insights into his personal journey.

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

I started as a communications manager on contract in 2020 before achieving a permanent role as a senior Agile Delivery Lead (ADL) in Manchester’s Digital Delivery Centre (DDC) in October 2022.

I form part of a software squad overseeing API development for Global Financial Services, currently transforming the financial services model for 8 of JLR’s European markets. As an ADL, my role involves mentoring, coaching and leading a cross-functional squad working in Agile and DevOps, comprising of digital engineers with varying skillsets to ensure consistent ways of working. Along with our team’s Product Owner, I coordinate the iterative approach we take to product delivery. As part of my role as an ADL, I regularly interact with the wider organisation to give talks and workshops about Agile, which is a definite highlight of my work at JLR.

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

The Digital Engineering team have an internal projects workflow, where team members can use their allocated 20% development time on something that interests them and can have impact to JLR. I have used this time to team up with software engineers from the DDC to develop a Team Health Check integration for Slack, to help us better shape our working environment. Our aim is to develop this for MS Teams for enterprise use across JLR.

I am also proud to be part of Digital’s first ever Team Improvement Circle (TIC). This, traditionally manufacturing-based, initiative encourages small teams of people to identify improvements to where we work. Our TIC team has been focussed on improving the awareness of the Manchester site across JLR and the magnificent work our people do. I have found that there is always something to get involved with to help shape and improve life at JLR!

Q: What do you like about working here?

The energy around our team and office is exhilarating. I have never worked in such a diverse environment, in which everyone can be themselves, have impact, and help shape the future of JLR’s digital transformation. I love that when you walk into our office you would not know who ‘the boss’ is. Having a much flatter hierarchy ensures that everyone has a voice and feel enabled to work how they want to get the most out of themselves. Being new to software, I feel extremely fortunate to work in an environment that champions learning & development as part of productivity.

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 am very fresh in the world of Agile and I adore working in this way, but fully understand that development is a never-ending endeavour. For now, my aim is to continue the steep learning curve I have put myself on and develop within my role in Delivery. In the future, I would like to make use of my background in teaching and tutoring to become an Agile Coach and help support JLR’s transformation to become a fully Agile organisation.

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

As well as what I have mentioned above, my department does not just talk the talk, it lives and breathes the culture of Agile, which translates into each day being more exciting than the last. We work in an open and honest environment where integrity matters. Finger pointing and blame have no place in our department as it stifles collaboration… we want to continually push ourselves to develop and try new things and failure is a big part of that process – we learn quicker this way.

Q: Tell us 3 interesting facts about yourself.

I have a HUGE passion for cycling and encouraging others to get involved. While I am an aspiring Ultra-cyclist, I love nothing more than trying to inspire others to ride their first miles on a bike. I set up a cycling group within an addiction charity with funding from Sport England as an outlet for those in recovery, as cycling helped save my own life from addiction. I won the British Cycling National Outstanding Achievement award for this work.

Whenever I need to travel to another JLR site, I will commute by bicycle wherever possible, which sometimes means hundreds of miles per week. It helps with my training, my headspace and is my own contribution towards JLR’s NetZero strategy!

I set myself regular challenges on the bike, including Land’s End to John O’Groats in 4 days and completing 6 ascents of Mont Ventoux, in France, within a single day to become part of a club that has fewer people as members than have been into space.

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

Be yourself! Our team only grows stronger with people who offer their own experience and insights into our work rather than a cookie cutter of what you may think is expected. Experience is always valuable, but we have a true focus on behaviours and how new team members from various backgrounds can help shape our culture. Have confidence in your weaknesses as well as your strengths as they could be you biggest asset in the right context. Demonstrate clear passion, not only for work, but what makes you a well-rounded individual.

Search for your careers opportunity here: https://www.jaguarlandrovercareers.com/content/Find-a-job/?locale=en_GB

Body Engineering, Culture and Values, Diversity & Inclusion, Electrical Engineering, Engineering, Featured, Home Page, Manufacturing Engineering, People, Who We Are

International Women in Engineering Day 2023

Jaguar Land Rover Careers

Taara, an exceptional engineer, who is on a mission to inspire and encourage young women to break barriers and consider engineering as a fulfilling career choice. In her Q&A, Taara shares her personal experiences, successes, and lessons learned on her remarkable journey within JLR.

Join us as we celebrate International Women in Engineering Day with Taara and many incredible female engineers here at JLR.

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

“In 2017 I joined JLR via the Women in the Know Course, which enrols you in the Advanced Apprenticeship Scheme (I prefer a practical approach rather than academic, so the apprenticeship was an ideal route into engineering). After interviewing and accepting, I worked as an apprentice in Powertrain for 4 years; completing placements in many areas such as Prototype Engine Build, Engine Test (rotating machine), Vehicle Workshop, and Emissions Certification.

After the scheme, I transitioned to Prototype Battery Build as a skilled technician; building and testing our prototype batteries in a high voltage environment. After 6 months in this role, I moved back to Emissions: here I supported our Chassis Dynometer Testing as an Analytical Measurement Technician. I learnt about our methods of testing emissions and how our testing equipment worked, including portable emissions on the back of a vehicle to get real driving emissions (RDE).

A year later, I moved into my current role testing our Powertrain Software. I wanted to experience the digital side of product development in the automotive industry. Part of my role is to aid the testing and creation of new Powertrain Software Features and their capabilities to ensure we deliver high quality products. Interacting with our vehicles is one of the highlights of my role and I’m proud to be involved in the process of creating them.”

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

“In addition to my current role, I am on the Women in Engineering & Allie’s committee as an events lead. I get such enjoyment by bringing people together and can make a difference in the workplace while doing something I’m passionate about. The WiE&A’s Network really helped boost my career; I was supported by other female colleagues and given some great advice and opportunities, which is why I wanted to get involved and create further opportunities for other women within the field. I have previously had the opportunity to help with our STEM team, it’s so important for this industry to showcase all the great careers available and to have female representation. This is vital at a younger age for people to have to time to get invested. Currently within Propulsion, there is a great drive to diversify our teams; we are working together to promote the opportunities available and create a community. It’s a great department to be in! I’m looking forward to future events and engaging our engineering stakeholders to get their perspectives and involvement. Watch this space!”

Q: What do you like about working here?

“Every day I learn about a new opportunity or venture that JLR is exploring – no day is boring, and the company adapts to its everchanging demands.

It’s a challenge that we as engineers and technicians are excited about. This buzz and energy is what keeps me engaged.”

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 want to inspire people to have an enjoyable career similar to mine and to facilitate that, whether that’s as a manager or as a mentor, or even to lead a new test property project. Thankfully I have management who support this and ensure my career aspirations do not get lost in technical / product advancing. One of the things that attracted me to my current role was the involvement they had with our People Development Network (PDN). This network empowers individuals to upskill and achieve their career goals.”

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

“My team have a great energy and approach to collaboration. We work transparently and in turn reap the rewards. Feeling able to speak up safely and talk about any issues creates a collaborative and group effort environment.  When you ask for help, it’s never an issue or annoyance but rather people are excited to share their knowledge or ask if you need a hand. Similarly, if anyone has an exciting idea that adds value. It’s celebrated and recognised. This has a great impact on my daily work. Feeling appreciated in the team can be hard for women in engineering, and thankfully I have only experienced support.”

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

“I would say be authentic; it sounds stereotypical but that’s because there is truth to the statement. Transparency is something that JLR hold value in. You need to be proud of your academic / career journey and how far you have come. Even if you don’t 100% fit the job description, you can adapt and learn that extra 10 or 20%. Make sure you showcase that you are willing to learn and adapt (which is arguably more important than the 10 -20%). A good manager will recognise and want to develop your skills further.”

Explore opportunities here at JLR: click here

Autonomous, Diversity & Inclusion, Engineering, Featured, Hints and Tips, People, PRIDE, Top Story, United Kingdom, Who We Are

Practice my faith without compromising my identity

Jaguar Land Rover Careers

Meet Zubair, an ADAS(Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) engineer who has been a part of the Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) family for several years. Through his journey, Zubair has not only grown as a professional but has also witnessed the flourishing of a culture that embraces diversity and inclusion. As a result, he has found a workplace where he feels safe, confident and excited to be himself.

If you want to delve deeper into Zubair’s experiences at JLR and discover how the company has fostered an environment where diverse minds can thrive, I encourage you to read his blog and see it for yourself.

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

I joined JLR In 2013 as an experienced hire after working in the Defence industry for over four years. Although transitioning into the Automotive industry posed a challenge at first, I quickly adapted to the faster pace of the work. My first role was in the Advanced Manufacturing Engineering (AME) department based in Solihull, Birmingham where the Range Rovers and Defender (at that time) were being built. Witnessing these incredible vehicles roll off the production line and past my office window every day was a highlight of my time there.

In 2015, I received a promotion and relocated to a position within International Manufacturing Operations (IMO) to launch the brand-new Jaguar E-Pace and all-electric Jaguar I-Pace in Graz, Austria. What I enjoyed most about this role was the opportunity to work abroad and immerse myself in a different culture. The food in Austria was also particularly enjoyable!

After successfully launching those vehicles in 2018, I made the decision to return to Engineering and was fortunate enough to secure a position in the Assisted & Automated Driving (AAD) department. Initially, my role was as a System Lead where I oversaw the delivery of a range of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) onto a new electrical architecture. A couple of years later, I was given the added responsibility of team leader.

Last year, as part of JLR’s transformation into an Agile organisation, I became a Product Owner within a new project and worked closely with NVIDIA as a technology partner. My focus is on delivering ADAS products using a Modelled Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) approach with a globally dispersed squad of 11 engineers. My primary objective is to ensure we build the right product in the right way and with the right quality, with a particular emphasis on customer use cases. A significant aspect of my role involves working with stakeholders and customers to ensure that the product we are developing meets their needs while balancing any technical constraints.

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

I am currently involved in two employee-led networks within JLR, namely the Islamic Society (ISoc) and REACH, which stands for Race, Ethnicity, and Cultural Heritage.

I joined the ISoc network when I first started working at JLR. On my first day in Solihull, I was looking for a place to offer my afternoon prayer. In my previous company, I would usually find a quiet meeting room to do this. However, at JLR, I was pleasantly surprised to find a multi-faith room in the building! It was then that I realised how supportive the company is of employees who wish to practice their faith. As a member of the ISoc network, I want to play a part in promoting this supportive environment.

I became involved in the REACH network since its inception in 2018. The aim of the network, to create an encouraging environment where diverse minds thrive and everyone feels safe, confident and excited to bring their whole selves to work, appealed to me the most. At that time, I had just started my new role based at Gaydon, so I volunteered to be a champion for the site to promote the network’s activities. More recently, I have been leading an initiative called the “Name Campaign” with other members of the network. The campaign aims to educate people on the importance and benefits of getting someone’s name right. Over the last 12 months, we have done this through Lunch & Learns on various name-related topics, a monthly column about the meanings and history of names from around the world and driven positive actions within the business. In November 2022, the campaign was given an award for the meaningful impact it has had within JLR. This was one of the proudest moments of my career so far. Over the next year, we have set out our vision and key workstreams to build on what we achieved last year.

One other project I have been involved in is the virtual Coffee Roulette within my department (AAD). I initially established this during the Covid-19 pandemic as a way to keep colleagues feeling connected while working from home. This initiative has continued as our department has expanded globally and has helped colleagues’ network and build new connections. The feedback has been great, and the best thing for me has been learning more about my colleagues beyond just the work stuff.

What do you like about working here?

There are several things that I like about working for JLR. My top five are:

  1. The ability to practice my faith without compromising my identity.
  2. The brand and products – it goes without saying that our cars are impressive!
  3. The wide variety of roles available, making it easy to move within the company and look for that next challenge.
  4. Collaboration – while the team culture varies, I have always experienced a strong sense of collaboration in each of my roles.
  5. Lastly, the shift to hybrid working has allowed me to have a better work/life balance.

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 am always keen to continuously develop myself and advance within the company – I do feel I have the support of management in my professional growth. Additionally, I am currently pursuing registration as a Chartered Engineer through the IET.

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

The diversity of our department’s teams, both in terms of culture and location, is immediately noticeable. This has become even more prominent in the last 2-3 years due to remote working, which has allowed us to attract talent in mainland Europe and expand in the US, China and India.

This is what I believe sets us apart from our competitors – the abundance of creative ideas that stem from the diverse range of minds in our department. As a result, we have created an environment that is forward-thinking, positive, and proactive in our approach to work.

Tell us 3 interesting facts about yourself.

Firstly, I am proud to be a STEM Ambassador. As part of this role, I engage with young students, delivering talks in schools and mentoring individuals through the Arkwright Engineering Scholarship programme. My main motivation is to give back to the community; I wouldn’t have pursued my current career path if someone hadn’t inspired me when I was younger, and I hope to be that inspiration for the next generation of Engineers.

Secondly, I am passionate about fundraising for charity, and I usually do so by undertaking extreme challenges. In the past, I have completed the Paris Marathon, conquered the 3 peaks challenge, and cycled over 100 miles from Leicester to London in a day. In June, I will be participating in another cycling challenge, riding over 400 miles from Amsterdam to Copenhagen within 5 days to raise money for the Help the Homeless charity in Leicester.

Lastly, I am a sports fanatic – especially football, Formula E and Formula 1. In fact, I am a qualified FA youth football coach and have been coaching a team for the past 6 years at a local football club in Leicester called Community Football Academy (CFA). My love for football inspired me to take up coaching and help encourage youngsters to stay active and fit, rather than staying at home playing video games.

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

As a STEM ambassador, I often get asked for tips on applications and interview process. Here are five that I always suggest:

  1. Do your research on the company. Find out about their products, business strategy, and any challenges they’re facing.
  2. Structure your answers to competency questions around your experiences, and make sure to highlight the role you played in achieving positive outcomes.
  3. Remember that you won’t just be assessed on technical skills; your behaviour matters too.
  4. Prepare a few thoughtful questions to ask at the end of the interview.
  5. Most importantly – be yourself! It will make the whole process smoother and less stressful.

Find out more about our latest ADAS opportunities: click here

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

A real passion and skill for developing people and capability

Jaguar Land Rover Careers

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

JLR CREATES FURTHER THREE GLOBAL TECH HUBS TO DEVELOP AUTONOMOUS CARS

Jaguar Land Rover Careers

  • 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.

Early Careers, Engineering, Featured, Hints and Tips, Home Page, Software, Undergraduate, United Kingdom, Who We Are

Tailor my career to meet my passions with Jaguar Land Rover

Jaguar Land Rover Careers

Simeon joined Jaguar Land Rover as a Product Engineering undergraduate 5 months ago. Within a short period of time, he has already made a real difference by constantly challenging himself to take on more responsibilities and difficult tasks.

Simeon has also built strong working relationships with his manager, his teams, and the key stakeholders cross-functionally. Simeon would love to return to Jaguar Land Rover for the Graduate Scheme and continue to develop his career with us.

To find out more about our latest Undergraduate Placement Programme for 2023, visit our careers website (click here) for more information.

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

I started in Systems and Software integration for the BEV Range Rover programme. The key responsibility of the role is ensuring features and functions progress effectively to meet key deliverables of the programme. My main contribution to the team has been running a workshop to cover the progress of all thermal related features. This workshop has allowed me to lead a large group of cross-functional engineers through the feature design and development process and created a platform for feature owners to discuss blockers and dependencies. The output from this workshop has allowed impediments to be raised when there are risks to the programme and therefore additional resource to be allocated where needed to ensure deadlines are met. I have gained skills such as creating detailed agendas, taking efficient meeting notes with accountable actions, and developed a strong network by working collaboratively with all key stakeholders. These are all far beyond what is taught at university but essential for the industry. I am currently on placement 4 days a week within the Vehicle Packaging team for the upcoming Jaguar. This team focuses on how the components and occupants of the vehicle fit together, as well as balancing the design vision for the vehicle with what the engineering team can deliver. The majority of my time has been spent on the concept development for future Jaguar models, which has involved lots of 3D CAD, working closely with the Human Factors and Vehicle Evaluation teams to create targets for critical dimensions based off competitor vehicles and ergonomics.

Q: What do you like about working here?

The main reason I am enjoying my time at Jaguar Land Rover is the level of responsibility that has been given to me as an undergraduate. If you can show you are willing to work hard and capable of taking on difficult tasks, there are opportunities to make a difference and gain the invaluable skills that accompany this. There are also many benefits you won’t see advertised in the job description such as Ride and Drive events, off-road driving experiences, Employee Learning Scheme, and the opportunity to take our vehicles home for the weekend as a reward. Not many other companies can offer this, and it really adds to the overall job satisfaction.

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? 

Over the course of my career, I aspire to work with the latest and greatest technology within the automotive industry, especially as we make the shift from ICE to EV vehicles. Jaguar Land Rover can certainly provide this, so I am hoping to stay with the company for the Graduate Scheme and further. I have a great relationship with my management. They are constantly opening doors for me to progress in the direction I want so I am confident that when I return, I will be able to tailor my career to meet my passions.

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

Vehicle Engineering for Range Rover is a huge team, and by working at the whole vehicle level, it gives a broad perspective on the sheer amount of engineering that goes into creating a vehicle. This stands out from the competition because it isn’t just any vehicle, Range Rover is a market leading, luxury SUV and the attention to detail with design, comfort, materials, dynamics, noise and more really shows. 

Q: Tell us some interesting facts about yourself.

Outside of my studies and job I enjoy sport and music. I have been a keen sportsman all my life, I have played county and university football and recently joined a Jaguar Land Rover football team with other undergrads and grads. I also DJ, and what started as a hobby in lockdown, led to me playing in clubs and house parties where I go to university in Leeds.

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

Jaguar Land Rover is going through an exciting cultural change at the moment with the Reimagine and Refocus strategy. The company is keen to employ young, enthusiastic minds to help with this change, so my advice would be to learn the new company values and how your experiences can contribute to the success of Jaguar Land Rover’s new strategy and future success. 

Analtyics, Digital, Engineering, Home Page, Manchester, People, Software, Technology, United Kingdom, Who We Are

Show your willingness to learn, create a safe and positive environment

Jaguar Land Rover Careers

Aisha joined Jaguar Land Rover as a Site Reliability Engineer in the middle of the global pandemic. A year into her career in Manchester Digital Delivery Centre (DDC) team, she received her promotion to a senior engineer position. She passionately talked about the working culture here in Manchester, which is one of the many reasons she loves working for Jaguar Land Rover.

Find out more about our latest Tech / Digital opportunities, visit our careers website (click here) for more information.

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

I joined Jaguar Land Rover almost 2 years ago, starting as a Site Reliability Engineer (SRE) and I was promoted to the Senior SRE position after a year. Currently, I am planning and implementing our new Internal Developer Platform which will be used across the whole of Jaguar Land Rover as the one place to go to for onboarding people and projects including deploying a fully functioning application into the Cloud.

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

Alongside my role, I led a workshop on ‘How to Argue Peacefully & Create a Safe Space within the workspace’. This is something that I am passionate about. I wanted to share what creating a safe positive environment looks like and how that can be achieved through simple yet effective day to day techniques/tools. The leadership team were extremely supportive with me planning and leading this session. It was a collaborative session, and it went down really well. I was asked to do a talk on this topic at the ‘Innovation Live’ event in Gaydon auditorium. It is a great place to work and also  develop both my technical & soft skills.

Q: What do you like about working here?

I love the culture and how collaborative everyone is in the Manchester office. It makes it a great positive environment to work and grow in.

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 would like to take more of a leadership role in the Internal Developer Platform (IDP) space. Ideally, I would like to lead a team to deliver the IDP as a great product for JLR.

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

Our department is very collaborative team (no emails, just slack). Everyone is super friendly and always willing to help.

Q: Tell us some interesting facts about yourself.

  • I love trying new crafts from knitting to candle making.
  • I can play guitar although not picked it up in a while.
  • As a child I had the opportunity to be an extra on Coronation Street.

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

Show your willingness to learn. Tech moves fast and it is hard to keep up but if you can show you are learning the tools and trying to keep up that looks great as it shows you have a passion!

Digital, Engineering, Home Page, Manchester, People, Software

“A true blameless and collaborative culture.”

Jaguar Land Rover Careers

Unintentionally, we picked the best date to interview Dominic. It was his one-year work anniversary with Jaguar Land Rover. What a perfect opportunity to invite him to share his ‘Life at Jaguar Land Rover’ and what it’s like to be part of the high-tech Software Development team in Manchester.

Q: Tell me about Jaguar Land Rover Manchester

“Jaguar Land Rover’s new high-tech Software Development Centre in Manchester is working alongside, and in collaboration with our Gaydon Pioneering Hub to integrate connected technologies in our next generation vehicles, and to create premium, customer experiences.

Home to Software, Digital and Engineering teams, the hub is focused on developing mobile apps and our data analytics capabilities. The teams here have significantly expanded over recent years and will continue to grow as part of the Jaguar Land Rover Reimagine strategy.”

Q: How long have you been with Jaguar Land Rover and what are you responsible for?

“It is my one-year anniversary today actually (18th of October 2022), I am the Principal Quality Lead for the Software Engineers in Test. Traditionally, testing and quality happened much later in the delivery process. But with the new agile way of working, quality underpins everything that we do and everyone gets involved much earlier in the process, and we’ve formed a true blameless and collaborative culture.”

Q: Walk me through your onboarding experience here in Manchester?

“As soon as candidates accept the offer, we add them to a Slack channel so they can introduce themselves and ask any questions, plus see FAQs from other starters. Whilst we know that there is a lot to take in and learn when you start a new role, we try to combat that by giving someone a buddy, who isn’t their line manager, giving them support in the first few weeks and also ensure that they feel that they are getting a more personal, candid onboarding experience. We also have a checklist for people to follow so there is structure, and we also have team ReadMes so people can share info about themselves and learn about other people whilst working remotely.”

Q: Why do people love working here?

“Our modern office is situated at the heart of Manchester city centre, it offers flexible workspaces and promotes employee wellbeing, we also have an onsite gym, and bike parking facility.

More importantly, we have a flat, open and innovative culture. The team are encouraged to self-develop through 20% time (one day a week training), which is usually on Fridays. It gives the chance to drive their own learning or pair with other people to build things for the department. We also have Communities of Practice for each of our different specialisms that anyone can join if they have an interest in that area.

For me, I love the fact we have the opportunity to start building something from scratch. We are often being pushed out of our comfort zone, it excites me to know we have the autonomy and opportunity to create something with longevity and we can bring people with us on the journey.

The hybrid working arrangements are important for us because it allows people to work in a way that makes them most comfortable. It also means that we can work with the best people across the country.”

Q: What do you do when you are not testing software?

“Outside of work, I am a sports nut. I will watch anything competitive (which my wife hates), but in terms of doing then it’s mainly football, running and cycling. I recently did the World Triathlon Series in Leeds and Munich 10km. There is an emphasis on Wellbeing in Manchester with there being weekly 5-a-side and a number of people that enjoying running and cycling.”

Q: What are the top tips you could offer to someone who is currently applying for tech roles

“You might not know exactly what you want to be doing now, it is quite alright, we have all been there. Jaguar Land Rover offers great development and learning opportunities which would enable you to open many doors to future careers. In terms of tech space, well it is an integral part of the business, it underpins everything we do, you don’t have to be tech wizard to get into the industry. Take a look at our careers website and let’s chat.”

Please click here for our latest opportunities in Jaguar Land Rover Manchester.

Culture and Values, Diversity & Inclusion, Early Careers, Engineering, Graduate

“We design, engineer, manufacture and market beautiful vehicles. With that comes a real sense of pride for the brand and what we do.”

treid5

Megan Howell joined Jaguar Land Rover in 2015 to study for a degree apprenticeship in Engineering. In 2021, Megan’s hard work, determination and commitment were acknowledged when she was awarded a First-Class Bachelor of Engineering degree with honours by the University of Warwick. 

At the start of her professional career as a Cost Engineer and hot on the heels of a listing in the Autocar Great Women in the British car industry 2022 initiative, Megan tells us why Jaguar Land Rover is a great place to work for Black talent.

  1. Why Jaguar Land Rover for Black talent?

Now is a really exciting time for Black talent to join Jaguar Land Rover. The automotive industry is not traditionally known for its diversity; however, Jaguar Land Rover has committed to changing this narrative. Jaguar Land Rover is the first UK car manufacturer to sign the Business in the Community Race at Work Charter and has partnered with a number of other external diversity bodies – most recently BYP. Over the next five years, Jaguar Land Rover’s Diversity & Inclusion strategy, championed by our CEO Thierry Bollore, will see the company strive to shape “a culture in which every one of our employees can bring their authentic self to work and reach their full potential”. This will be bolstered by the implementation of progressive policies, benefits and support, along with employee engagement to accelerate progress.

All of these D&I initiatives paired with our global Reimagine strategy see Jaguar Land Rover entering an era of true internal and external transformation. There is a lot of change on the horizon and more opportunity than ever before. For Black talent wanting to be part of that evolution and passionate about becoming trailblazers for upcoming BYPs, I think it’s a great place to be right now.

2. What do you like about working here?

It’s great working on two internationally recognised brands that are pioneering modern luxury. We design, engineer, manufacture and market beautiful vehicles. With that comes a real sense of pride for the brand and what we do.

I like how multi-faceted the company is in terms of the job roles, working environments and experience available. Different functions attract and cultivate different skills, personality types and ideas. It’s great seeing the cross-functional collaboration that happens to deliver an amazing end product every time.  I really enjoy that in my job role, I interface with a lot of these functions.

3. How does the REACH (Race, Ethnicity & Cultural Heritage) network enhance life at Jaguar Land Rover?

The Jaguar Land Rover REACH employee network will be celebrating its 4th birthday this September. The network exists to champion employees from all races and ethnicities to be equally represented and celebrated across Jaguar Land Rover. Racial equality is also a high priority to Jaguar Land Rover senior leaders, with a clear target to increase ethnic representation by 15% across all levels of our business by 2026. Working closely with core stakeholders across the business, the REACH network will be instrumental in creating initiatives to help Jaguar Land Rover achieve this target.

As a member of the committee and Communications Lead, I love that I get to play such an active part in Jaguar Land Rover’s journey toward becoming a more inclusive business. It is a huge amount of work but super rewarding and looking after the comms, branding and marketing activities for the network allows me to use and develop skills in an area that I’m passionate about.

We run four core types of events – Lunch & Learns (to educate and open conversations), Roadshows (to build awareness of REACH and its fundamentals around the business), Mastermind Series (to provide networking and development) and Change Makers (to improve employee work experience). We have a Yammer page and curate a monthly newsletter along with holding events and celebrations for various cultural occasions throughout the year. We have an internal mentorship scheme and also partner with local educational bodies to encourage bringing diverse talent into the business, in addition to actively encouraging the progression of diverse talent.

The REACH network has enhanced my life at Jaguar Land Rover, and I’ve heard the same from many others. I only wish I had known about it when I first joined! However, this is a part of the work we are doing with our Roadshows and partnerships with Early Careers to raise awareness. The sense of unity and reward that comes from being a member of the committee, building it from the ground up and bringing people together is amazing. As a member of REACH, I get to expand my network and meet like-minded people from across the business who want to have a more meaningful experience at work. REACH makes work feel a bit more like home.

4. How does Jaguar Land Rover empower employees?

Where applicable, Jaguar Land Rover had maintained flexibility on hybrid working after the benefits seen on wellbeing when it started during the pandemic.

Our employee-led networks help foster our culture of empowerment. If you just want to clock in, do your hours, and clock out that’s fine – but if you want to push yourself to do more there are chances to get yourself more involved.

To view our profile on BYP, click here.

People

Meet Amy, a Lead Engineer. Her passion for engineering started when she was a young girl.

Jaguar Land Rover Careers

“Ever since I was a small girl, I’ve been interested in how things work,” says Amy, Infotainment and Connected Car Lead Engineer at JLR. “I used to pull things apart and that got me into trouble. I didn’t choose toys because they were fun. I chose them because I was fascinated how they worked.”

Rather than playing with her Polly Pocket Dream House, she’d disassemble it. Rather than whooshing her Hot Wheels toy cars across the kitchen floor, she’d pull them apart. “My dad wasn’t pleased. But my mother pointed out that it showed curiosity, which was a good thing.” When Amy was bigger, she was able not only to disassemble her toys; she could put them back together again. Her parents also bought Lego and Meccano sets – perfect for a child who likes to take apart and to build. Lego, especially, became a passion.

“My mum was highly intelligent and a member of Mensa. But she never got the opportunities. She always told me that I could do anything I wanted. There were never boy things or girl things. My dad was also a big do-er. He was always making things and repairing things.”

At Salford University Amy studied acoustics – the physics of sound – inspired by a deep love of music. In her placement year she worked as a service engineer to fix microphones, amps, and speakers etc.

As a child, Amy also enjoyed theatre, including performing. “In the back of my mind, I thought I’d do some kind of theatre sound engineering. Then someone from JLR came to our university and said they needed acoustics people. The choice was Noise, Vibration and Harshness (NVH) –that’s stopping noise getting into the cabin – or infotainment, making noise to inform and entertain users. I applied. There were 270 places and about 20,000 applicants. I hoped for the best. I went through the various interviews, tests and assessments and got a call, to say congratulations. Did I want infotainment or NVH? I chose making the noise.”

Amy joined JLR in 2013 and can’t speak highly enough of the graduate scheme – “it was brilliant”. She has been in infotainment ever since. “That’s not complacency. I found something I really like doing.” Amy started working on the Range Rover Evoque before moving onto the new Defender in 2015. That was the first programme she worked on from start to finish. She now works on JLR’s newest infotainment programme, including user experience and HMI (human-machine interface).

“Defender was a fascinating programme. It was the most advanced infotainment and HMI system JLR had ever done and which subsequently would go into other JLR vehicles.”

Initially Amy, as a junior, was learning from senior colleagues. Now she is designing screens and is responsible for large parts of the HMI. She is Infotainment and Connected Car PAT (Programme Attribute Team) Leader. “Every day, I still defer to people and ask advice. Equally, people ask me. That’s how teams work.”

As a female engineer in a male-dominated world, Amy says: “I’ve mostly had very good experiences. Things have also got better in the past three or four years. There’s been a much bigger push from the whole business on diversity and inclusion. Most of my HMI team are women.”

“There has thankfully been an increase in women getting into engineering. When I was at school doing physics, of my dozen classmates I was the only female. At Salford, I was the only woman in the whole country to graduate with that degree that year.”

Now a successful engineer, Amy hasn’t lost her passion for Lego. As proof, she shows an orchid, other flowers, a Christmas tree, a bonsai tree, a Defender and a Jaguar – all made from those plastic bricks.

Engineering, Engineering, Hungary, People

From intern to CAD Engineer at JLR Hungary, Dorka talks us through her journey.

Jaguar Land Rover Careers

More and more women are joining JLR’s engineering teams. One of the newest is Dorka Bösze, who works on Defender at JLR’s technical centre in Budapest, Hungary. Dorka joined in February 2023, after working as an intern. Like most JLR engineers – male and female – she was interested in science and maths at school. “I always liked making things and DIY, although I didn’t necessarily want to go into cars.”

She studied Industrial Design Engineering at university in Budapest. “It was a course like mechanical engineering but with design included too. It taught me a lot in areas like 3D modelling. The course included cars and one of our projects was designing a vehicle cockpit. So, I started drawing cars and found it very interesting.”

Most of Dorka’s fellow students were men. “There were only five women on the course. But my parents were supportive, even though they had no scientific interests. I was the first member of my family to work in this very masculine industry. I think they were very proud.”

Dorka’s internship at university was with JLR in Budapest.

“They were very friendly. JLR also gave me the opportunity to do the thesis on the subject I really wanted.”

Her subject was door trim, specifically redesigning the Defender to include a bigger door map pocket capable of holding a one-litre bottle (which the early versions of new Defender could not: the latest version can). A 3D model was printed, which is still in JLR’s Budapest technical office.

JLR offered her a full-time job as a CAD (computer-aided design) engineer when her thesis was complete and she graduated. She now works on Defender door trim, including grab handles and armrests, building CAD models for the future. She works with plastics, textiles and other materials, on CAD and other 3D modelling programmes.  

JLR’s Hungarian technical engineering office works on body and chassis engineering, and supports the nearby Nitra production centre in Slovakia, where Defender and Discovery are manufactured. It also supports the Gaydon technical HQ in the UK, and works alongside other JLR engineering centres in the US, China and Ireland. Hungary has a strong automotive engineering heritage, with several major players engineering and building cars there.

“I find cars fascinating because there is so much to them. Cars are at the top of the engineering and design pyramid. It’s the most difficult and interesting thing to build and design. So many people work together on what becomes an incredibly complex working machine.”

She says it’s difficult to build a luxury car like the Defender that is also tough and extremely versatile. The right door trim pays a big part in that. “Toughness, solidity and no squeaks and rattles are crucial.”

Dorka will admit that the Defender is a very masculine car, muscular and strong. “Yet it is very appealing to women. That appeal is really important.” In the body engineering section of JLR’s Budapest technical centre, Dorka is one of two female engineers, out of 40. It’s still a man’s world, even if it is changing.

Yet, says Dorka: “I always feel treated as an equal. JLR is like a big family.”

Apprentice, Early Careers, Engineering, Engineering, People, Powertrain, United Kingdom

Meet Nathan – Level 4 Propulsion Technician Apprentice

Jaguar Land Rover Careers

Q: What apprenticeship program are you on? 

I’m on the Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship, taking the Propulsion Technician pathway. 

Q: Why did you choose to do an apprenticeship? 

My sixth form had been very pro-university and didn’t really promote apprenticeships, but I wasn’t sure about whether university was for me or not, or even what course I’d do. I took a gap year, where my weekend job became full time, and decided that I quite liked working and earning. I’d heard about apprenticeships, so I did some research, and it just seemed to make sense. You get to do a job you like doing and earn the qualifications to go with it. 

Q: What has been your favourite moment at JLR so far? 

When I won tickets to see the Formula E Finale in London through a JLR competition. My department (Powertrain Test) works a lot with the FE team, and we often have their car running qualifying and race simulations on our dynos, to then see them compete in person was very cool.  

Q: What support have you received from colleagues during your apprenticeship?  

In this apprenticeship, you can be as independent or as supported as you like. If you want to go off and do your own project and learn something new – go for it. If you prefer to work more closely with your colleagues, get stuck in with what they are doing and learn from them, that’s also good. For the most part I have been the latter, and everyone has been very happy to pass along their knowledge and expertise. Even when working independently, there’ll be someone checking up on you, or offering help should you need it. 

Q: What advice would you give to your past self? 

It always pays to do research before an interview. But mainly, you get more out of the apprenticeship the more you put in, so it’s always good to do more placements or projects and to try something new. 

Apprentice, Early Careers, Engineering, Engineering, People, United Kingdom

Meet Matt – Level 4 Engineering Apprentice

Jaguar Land Rover Careers

Q: What apprenticeship program are you on?

Level 4 Apprenticeship Engineering. 

Q: Why did you choose to do an apprenticeship?

I chose to do an apprenticeship because I would get the hands-on experience which goes a long way in this industry whilst simultaneously getting the qualifications necessary for the role. The no-student debt part was a nice bonus too. 

Q: What has been your favourite moment in JLR?

There’s no specific moment that is my favourite, my team is very interesting, and it is a highlight when I learn something new that better contributes to the effectiveness of my team. 

Q: What advice would you give to your past self?

Don’t be nervous, your team will give you everything you need to become an effective employee, a lot of systems can seem intimidating but don’t stress, it’s a lot simpler than you think but don’t get comfortable with the assignments. 

Q: What support have you received from colleagues during your apprenticeship?

I receive encouragement from my team when I design something, complete a job, or become a slightly more knowledgeable member of the team, this encourages me to push harder to become more experienced and knowledgeable in my designated role. 

Q: What is something you’ve learnt about JLR since joining?

For a company this large, you are given a lot of creative freedom in the work you do, everyone is willing to hear you out and it’s not like other apprenticeships where the apprentice is often ignored. JLR also has an immense number of resources and instructions that can help you if you forget how to do anything, these documents are also being constantly updated so it’s done in the easiest and most efficient way possible. 

Slovakia

JLR NITRA opens new wellbeing centre for employees

Jaguar Land Rover Careers

From October 2023, our new Health and Wellbeing Centre in Nitra has been open to employees to be used for relaxation, regeneration and sport among colleagues.

A fitness centre, multifunctional playgrounds, table tennis, table football, yoga, massages, nutrition, psychological and legal counsellors are all on-site to help all of our employees not only to take care of their health, but also to strengthen friendly relationships with colleagues in state-of-the-art facilities and completely free of charge.