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