Category: Body Engineering

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

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

Apprentice, Body Engineering, Early Careers, Electrical Engineering, Engineering, Hints and Tips, Home Page, People, Technology, United Kingdom, Who We Are

“Physical training taught me that hard work and perseverance always pays off and that failure is just a route to success.”

Jaguar Land Rover Careers

Leah, Jaguar Land Rover degree apprentice, currently on her 6th-year placement in Electrification Services. In her spare time, Leah loves to train and regularly competes in Olympic Weightlifting and CrossFit.

Her top tip for you is ‘Back yourself and take time to understand your personal strengths and weaknesses. Think about the value that these skills will bring to Jaguar Land Rover and its mission.’

We recently conducted a short interview to found out a little bit more about Leah, both in and out of Jaguar Land Rover.

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

I am a 6th-year AEP Degree Apprentice and I am currently on placement in Electrification Services, whose mission is to improve the EV ownership experience for customers through services. I am specifically focussing on improving the accessibility of charging infrastructure, which requires understanding the needs of those traditionally excluded from the EV ownership experience and creating a solution to not only help the exception but improve the experience for everyone. I joined Jaguar Land Rover in my home department of Vehicle Safety, where I essentially crashed cars; planning and coordinating full vehicle and component tests to ensure the safety of our vehicles. I have had the pleasure of being involved in several other areas of the business on placements within Special Vehicle Operations, Critical Concerns, Manufacturing, and Circular Economy.

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

SHINE Network – I recently joined as a participator to reduce assumptions when designing for inclusivity. The network supports colleagues with disabilities, whether hidden, visible or both.

Women in Engineering – I attend their annual conference, where they aim to accelerate an inclusive future for women in engineering.

Q: What do you like about working here?

It is exciting to be involved with the company during such a huge change toward electrification and sustainability. The people I work with are truly passionate about their work and are invested in my growth.

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

I see myself moving to a management role within the business, I feel I am a natural leader and have the wider knowledge to understand the bigger picture of the company. There are not enough females in this industry, so I want to encourage more young women to join the sector by acting as a role model. I would like to mentor and guide others to becoming the best version of themselves both in Jaguar Land Rover and life too. I would love the opportunity to work overseas at some point, so if the opportunity were to present itself I would work to make it happen. I think the people around me are invested in my growth, so if I work hard to achieve this, then it will be possible.

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

The common theme amongst the teams I have been in is their passion for the work they are undertaking. The team I am in now is truly passionate about improving the charging experience for customers and understands that this is vital for the success of the business. This belief will make the team work harder and more efficiently to achieve their objectives.

Q: Tell us 3 interesting facts about yourself.

In my spare time, I love to train and compete in Olympic Weightlifting and CrossFit, and I am a qualified personal trainer. Lifting is a huge passion of mine and is where most of my spare time goes. The gym teaches me that hard work and perseverance pays off and that failure is just a route to success. It also acts as stress relief on those busy work weeks!

Last year I completed some of my first solo travel trips abroad! My favourite place I have travelled to is Costa Rica, although I got stuck in customs on the way back due to some apparent dodgy fingerprints!

I also own a paddleboard that I take out with friends in the warmer months to take some time away from Instagram scrolling and into nature.

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

I was incredibly nervous when submitting my application, to the point that I nearly didn’t submit it as I thought ‘I wasn’t good enough’. Now I have taken time to understand my capabilities and value within the company, with some incredible mentors along the way. My biggest piece of advice is to back yourself and take time to understand your personal strengths and weaknesses. Think about the value that these skills will bring to Jaguar Land Rover and its mission.

Apply Jaguar Land Rover Apprenticeship Programmes here.

Body Engineering, Design, Early Careers, Home Page, Undergraduate

I’d say the most exciting part of the role so far is the environment I’m working in.

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‘Everything has been incredibly positive- at work and socially. In the office the team has welcomed me with open arms, the Early Careers team has done a fantastic job of setting up events so that we can all meet each other outside of work.

My role in Surfacing has been a steep learning curve. The programme we learn is so complex that we’ve had one-on-one training for 3 months. I’ve just graduated from that though and, having got to grips with the programme now, I can say it’s really rewarding and feels like a key role to finalise the design process.

I came from SolidWorks which is a parametric modeller and ICEM Surf I work with now is a freeform tool so it’s like a completely different language. Using nodes to control surfaces allows us to be incredibly accurate, which is the main priority for an A-Class Surfacer.

I’d say the most exciting part of the role so far is the environment I’m working in. The studios are state-of-the-art and the number of things I’ve seen that I can’t talk about really makes the role feel special! Moving forwards, I’m hoping to work on production vehicles so that in a few years, when the vehicles are out, I’ll be able to point and say, ‘I surfaced that.’

Applications for our undergraduate programmes are now open. Find out how you can define the future of movement here: Undergraduates (jaguarlandrovercareers.com)

Apprentice, Body Engineering, Early Careers, Engineering, People

From Young Women in the Know to Furthering Futures

Jaguar Land Rover Careers

What drew you to Jaguar Land Rover when you were seeking an apprenticeship?

I initially considered Jaguar Land Rover as it is a well-known, respected company and local to home. I discovered Jaguar Land Rover apprenticeships through the Young Women in the Know Programme (now Furthering Futures) where I spent a week visiting the Jaguar Land Rover sites, experiencing the facilities and meeting engineers. I was especially inspired by the apprentices I met who were only a couple of years older than me and working on some really exciting projects.  My impression of Jaguar Land Rover, was that it was an exciting, friendly and supportive place to work with a focus on developing people; somewhere I could see myself being happy. This course is the reason I am an apprentice at Jaguar Land Rover today!

Why did you decide to do a Degree Apprenticeship rather than go to university?

Although I was keen to do a degree, the traditional University route didn’t appeal to me. A degree apprenticeship offered the opportunity to work/earn money at the same time as studying meaning I could afford to move out and get a car. It also offered more practical experience and a direct route into employment, which was attractive because getting a job out of university is very competitive.

Describe a typical day at work

Typically I work 7:00am – 3:30pm. My day is split between a CAD role which involves developing designs in CAD, running CAE and analysing results and a Lead Engineer Role where I am responsible for delivering robust engineering releases and managing my parts through gateways. I tend to spend most of my time at my desk, but I am regularly on the phone, attend engineering reviews and meeting with my supplier.

As part of the apprenticeship, I attend University 6 weeks throughout the year and I spend a day a week working on my NVQ and work based projects.

What is the most challenging part of your job?

The most challenging part of my job is managing and prioritising my time between work, university, NVQ and other commitments. Although, I do enjoy being busy and I am never bored at work!

What advice would you give to your younger self?

Identify role models and speak to as many people as you can about careers and their experience. Challenge yourself to step out of your comfort zone because there are so many opportunities available!

What do you love most about working at Jaguar Land Rover?

I love that there is always something interesting to work on and another problem to solve. My team is supportive and fun to work with and I love that I can look back to 2014, when I start my apprenticeship, and see how much I have gained in confidence and capability.