“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.
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.”
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
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.
