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
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.”
Exciting Job Opportunities at JLR Shannon: Shape the Future of Automotive Technology!
Welcome to our special Q&A session, where we delve into the experiences and exciting journey of a Software Engineering Manager (Chapter Lead) – Clodagh Daly. In this blog interview, we’ll gain a glimpse into Clodagh’s life at JLR Shannon, current responsibilities, involvement in various projects and networks, and her career aspirations.
From leading and empowering a diverse team of engineers to developing software engineering practices, fostering a supportive environment together with the rest of the leadership teams, and championing Women in Engineering. She brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to her role.
Join us as we explore her life at JLR Shannon below:
Q: What position did you start in and what is your position now? Please describe your current responsibilities. ?
Software Engineering Manager (Chapter Lead).
In my role, I am primarily a People Manager and leader of Engineers. As a former Software Engineer, it is crucial to ensure that people’s development and learning is fostered in a continuous cycle, technology is evolving at such a rapid pace, we need to ensure our Engineers are at the cutting edge in their skills development. This offers support to the organisation and enables the engineers to operate at the highest levels, empowering them to grow. It is our responsibility to assist them to develop into the leaders of the future, both from a technological stand point but also as key drivers of our business and industry.
Enabling a positive environment where they are supported and empowered to develop is key. Regular touchpoints with me, reviewing how they are performing in their Agile team, identifying performance opportunities for them, to build their technical skills, develop their internal brand in JLR and for them to gain tangible experiences in our technologies and functions is really important.
My team is diverse in their roles, experience levels, skills and technology stacks. It is challenging to ensure people are given the required time and support for them to succeed. This role is vital to them being successful in their abilities to deliver our quality products, so it is a great pleasure to watch them flourish in their career progression. Without our Engineers, we have no products to sell.
Q: Are you involved in any other projects / networks? If so, please describe what they are and what your contributions are.
As a Chapter lead, we are presently putting shape to our Software Engineering Chapter, where individuals can form part of a cohesive collective of likeminded Software Engineers. Our aims, are to provide guidance, define processes, align on technology and tooling, offering a community across the Software landscape in JLR. This enables us to have a platform cross-functionally within our business where we can make strategic changes, bringing ‘Best In Class’ strategies to the fore in our Software community. This benefits both the Engineers but also the Organisation and provides our team members a cohesive space for them to collaborate, drive forward their suggestions, making meaningful strides forward in our technical evolution!
I am also a member of the SHE++ Society where we champion all things – Women in Engineering in JLR Shannon. Our aim is to foster an environment where women are supported, facilitating Mentorship talks, career development discussions. We also want to promote the idea of diversity in the Engineering and Tech divisions, giving back to the community is very important to us, so we have conducted lots of Primary School visits, promoting Women in Technology and Engineering roles and encouraging the school girls, aged 11-12, to pursue roles in STEAM in the future. This is a highly rewarding society and is key to breaking the bias of women in technology and engineering for the future! Encouraging them at a young age to recognise these options as very positive careers for Women!
Q: What do you like about working here?
JLR is a truly inspiring place to work. Our products are just sublime! Breathtakingly beautiful, the epitome of luxury, all while offering the robust off road capabilities that we in JLR are synonymous with. Our site in Shannon has Agile Squads that are driving forward the most critical technological advancements. We have teams representing the ADAS group, Data Analytics and Machine Learning, DevOps, along with a host of other Onboard and Offboard capabilities. There is something here for everyone, all tech stacks are present here. Variety is boundless.
The culture in Shannon is one which is really unique and that is down is no small measure to the approach taken from the top leaders across the site. They ensure they are giving their time to everyone; they operate an open door policy; they are vastly knowledgeable in our products and are always willing to offer guidance, advice and energy to all of the sites various communities. It has a nurturing vibe here, nobody’s questions are ever silenced and if there is something that is suggested within the site, it is welcomed, and you are given the latitude to go and bring it to fruition.
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?
As a relative new comer to the Automotive industry, I am learning every day. Our team in JLR Shannon are working on the most ground-breaking technology available and the opportunities to learn and grow are continually extended to everyone. Each month we have 3 hours of protected time, where we can avail of training for our growth and development. We have access to internal training platforms which houses a multitude of Automotive training and technology materials. JLR have also invested in making both PluralSight and Udemy Learning platforms available to our team members. These are globally recognised suites of learning, demonstrating JLR’s commitment to growing their team members skills and investing in their development.
In JLR Shannon we are solving technically uncertain challenges daily, having the great pleasure to create the next generation of vehicles that can do things no-one has even considered possible.
My experiences in Shannon have been inspiring. The culture and atmosphere here is like a family, it is warm, welcoming and growth focused. Our team members are passionate about what we do and that is driven from the Senior Leaders on site. Autonomy in your work is the way of life here, accountable but without fear to fail, there is zero tolerance for blame here, culturally. Blame is actively discouraged in JLR Shannon, as without failure you cannot hope to innovate. In our Research & Development focused Software Centre our goal is to harness the creativity of our engineering minds not stifle them, mine included.
Q: Describe your team / department, and what makes it stand out from our competition?
Our proud team are known as the Onboard Enablers, what a great name! We are responsible for enabling all of the connections and interfaces within the vehicle, bringing cohesion to all of the technology in our cars. This provides our squads the opportunity to get first touch on new components and software, we lead, we don’t follow, breaking new ground is what we do, everyday! By engaging directly with our suppliers and building the key partnerships, we are at the cutting edge of innovation, having the greatest opportunities to bring our market-leading new features to life, delighting our customers!
Q: Tell us 3 interesting facts about yourself.
I have loved cars since I was very small – my brother and I used to play ever increasingly complex games of identifying cars while on family journeys. My aim is to get my hands on an extremely rare, 2 seater Citroen DS convertible -innovative for its time, classically designed and remains a thing of beauty 20+ years later! I just need to win the lotto first.
Hobbies, well I am a thrill seeker, Great White Cage Diving, bungy, helicopter flying amongst a few things, but parenthood has put the brakes on that for the time being. I also am a massive DIY enthusiast, doing wood work courses and metal work courses so I could make things I wanted for my home! My husband is a patient man.
Travel, I have travelled extensively I would say, backpacking, no 5-star luxury for me! India, Thailand, Cambodia, UAE, Hong Kong, Maldives, New Zealand, Peru, Mozambique, South Africa, Dutch Antilles, the US, to name a few and of course all through Europe. This is a passion! The more obscure the location the better. I backpacked as I found you really get to know a country when you are closest to the people, hostel life often will tell you more than any 5* will.
Q: What hints and tips can you share with the potential candidates who are going through the application / interview process?
First tip is to APPLY! You do not even need to come from an Automotive industry to be able to make an impact in our Organisation! Find me on Linked In or check out our Careers Page!
Secondly, and importantly; believe in yourself and your technology skills. Outline your interest in JLR Vehicles and how you can contribute to the Automotive industry. We are always looking for people who demonstrate drive, commitment to excellence and passion for what they do! The rest you can learn here with us.
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:
The ability to practice my faith without compromising my identity.
The brand and products – it goes without saying that our cars are impressive!
The wide variety of roles available, making it easy to move within the company and look for that next challenge.
Collaboration – while the team culture varies, I have always experienced a strong sense of collaboration in each of my roles.
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:
Do your research on the company. Find out about their products, business strategy, and any challenges they’re facing.
Structure your answers to competency questions around your experiences, and make sure to highlight the role you played in achieving positive outcomes.
Remember that you won’t just be assessed on technical skills; your behaviour matters too.
Prepare a few thoughtful questions to ask at the end of the interview.
Most importantly – be yourself! It will make the whole process smoother and less stressful.
Find out more about our latest ADAS opportunities: click here
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.
