13 replies to this topic

[Monstrous]

Evening all

The last fortnight has been spent applying to various graduate schemes in the automotive/motorsport sector.

Im in my final year of Motorsport Engineering BEng degree and now need to think about a career after i graduate in May

I've applied to all the large automotive companies, and have a few more lined up when they open later this month

Does anyone on here work for, know of or have any information about any companies that either have graduate schemes or are looking for recent graduates or junior engineers to join them in the latter half of this year?

Any help would be greatly appreciated, the more places i write and apply to, the more chance i have of actually securing a job after i graduate, otherwise i have to wait a whole year until the scheme applications open again this december, which isn't the end of the world as i have secured work for as long as i want at the place i work at in the holidays, however i'd rather go straight into a graduate scheme

Let me know!

[RawlinsGTR]

Hi Monstrous;

I'm not actually gonna answer any of your questions, but I just want to say that I've applied to do Motorsport Engineering BEng at university, and my firm choice will probably be Brunel.

Where did you do yours, did you enjoy it, and what was your favourite part?

Sorry if I hijack the thread slightly,

Simon.

[Monstrous]

Hi Simon

I actually had Brunel as my second choice back when i was applying, very impressive Uni. I know a couple of friends there that rate it highly

I did/am doing mine at Oxford Brookes, overall i've really enjoyed it. First year is pretty tedious, it's mainly theoretical practices, so a lot of applied maths. Second and third years get a lot better with a lot of design projects, engine analysis, chassis dynamics etc.

I'd say the best part of the COURSE is what i am currently doing now, my dissertation/project. I'm designing and manufacturing a race car model with remotely adjustable wings for use in wind tunnel testing. It's really interesting and because i chose the project, it means im passionate about it and strive to achieve a good result.

The best bit about university AS A WHOLE is the people. I've met so many great people here, friends for life. Oxford is an amazing city, great nightlife and lots to do.

If there's one thing i regret not doing it's getting involved with formula student. I was sick in the first week when the sign up process finished, so never applied. Then each year i just ignored it really. My advice is get involved with it. It's a lot of extra work on top of an already jam-packed course, but if you can manage it, it's a great thing to put on your CV, employers love it!

Hope this helps

Gaz

[RawlinsGTR]

Thanks loads Gaz, you're the first person I've met who's done the course.

Everything's helpful, cheers.

Oxford Brookes is going to be my 'insurance' option, incase I don't get the grades in my A-levels that I am expecting/want. I don't mean that to sound big-headed or whatever the word is. :)

Thanks again.

Simon

[Cooperman]

Try Toyota Motorsport in Koln, Germany. They are working on a petrol-electric hybrid le Mans car and were looking for good young engineers.
Also try Lola in Huntingdon where they have some interesting stuff going on.

[Mini-Mad-Craig]

I think the majority of Le Mans will be hybrid by 2020. It'll be a real shame because nothing sounds like Rotary Mazda 787B at 3am in the morning... similar to how the V12 B12/60 LOLA Aston Martins are the single most amazing thing in the world when you close your eyes and listen.

Prototype will be the first to receive cutting edge hybrid technolodgy that is capable of 200mph for 24 hours... lots of opportunitys for youngeters there, and something I hope to be involved in very shortly!! Prototypes are a HUGE sector of Motorsport, LMP are one type of prototype... but there are too many to count which are all testing evolutionairy technologies that will be on road cars in the future. So many opportunitys have been created in Motorsport from Prototype racing.

[mk3 Cooper S]

What sector are you wishing to focus on?

I am a senior engineer at http://www.zytekauto...Us/History.aspx

[Monstrous]

Thanks guys

Unfortunately few of the top level race teams take on fresh graduates, they require you to have at least a couple of years in an engineering environment before they'll consider you.

I will enquire about Lola though, i applied for an industrial placement with them last year and was invited for a phone interview, turned it down in the end as i was offered something better, which frustratingly fell through at the last minute

[Mini-Mad-Craig]

What sector are you wishing to focus on?

I am a senior engineer at http://www.zytekauto...Us/History.aspx

What a fantastic position you're in sir, well done.

Edited by Mini-Mad-Craig, 09 January 2012 - 10:21 PM.

[Monstrous]

What sector are you wishing to focus on?

I am a senior engineer at http://www.zytekauto...Us/History.aspx

Didn't see this as we posted at the same time

Ideally i'd like motorsport, however im passionate about both motorsport and automotive

i'd say my main enjoyment comes from design and development, which i know is very broad, however i get my kicks out of design work and seeing something through from the design to the final manufacture.

Obviously i enjoy hands on work too (don't all of us mini lovers ;) )

Do you consider junior engineers/graduates at your company then?

Thanks

Gaz

[mk3 Cooper S]

PM sent

Thanks Craig

[Cooperman]

Try Mahle Powertrain in Northampton (used to be Cosworth Powertrain Ltd). They do some very interesting design & development work there.

[Monstrous]

Try Mahle Powertrain in Northampton (used to be Cosworth Powertrain Ltd). They do some very interesting design & development work there.

Just checked their website and they offer a graduate scheme!

Thanks!

[Cooperman]

Try Mahle Powertrain in Northampton (used to be Cosworth Powertrain Ltd). They do some very interesting design & development work there.

Just checked their website and they offer a graduate scheme!

Thanks!

A very good friend of mine works there and he is a Test & Development Enginer. At Christmas he turned up at my home with a 2011 Bentley V12 Twin-Turbo Convertable with 650 bhp. It was on a 'durability test' and he had the 'awful' job of driving it all over the Christmas period. It had a very comprehensive data-logging system installed in the boot. He had been to see his family in Newcastle where they though he must have won the lottery to be able to afford a new £170,000 car. The only downside is that he has to re-log-on before every journey for full data-capture.
Now, who would like that job? Well paid too!