Product Development and Design

This is where we develop new Jaguar and Land Rover vehicle concepts. Once a concept is approved, the rest of the business continues the development process through to volume production. The APC function ensures that all product proposals have the required strategic, technical and financial foundation to ensure successful product launches.

APC consists of three departments:

• Architecture – responsible for leading the development of specific vehicle programme concepts and achieving formal approval. Also responsible for developing vehicle platforms, or Architectures, from which a range of specific products can be developed.
• Research & Advanced Engineering – responsible for developing specific new vehicle component and system technologies in areas such as Body, Trim, Chassis, Electrical and low carbon vehicle technologies. They also carry out research on fundamental or primary technologies to assess their potential for being used in future vehicles. Furthermore, to ensure we select the latest and most advanced technologies for all Jaguar Land Rover products, our Research department works with a wide range of universities and industrial partners.
• Concept & Package – responsible for leading the development of the vehicle geometry and defining the locations of the major vehicle systems and components such as Body, Powertrain, Chassis and Electrical systems. This responsibility also extends throughout the entire vehicle development process up to volume production.

Our Body Engineering team is tasked with delivering the sort of premium interiors and exteriors you’d expect from a luxury brand such as ours. It is not enough to produce comfortable and welcoming products. They must be durable, crafted and precise, with an attention to detail that meets the high standards of our global customers.

We specialise in the following areas:

• Door Systems
• Cockpit & Climate
• Cabin Systems
• Safety Components
• Body Structures
• Exterior Systems
• Glasshouse & Lids

At Jaguar Land Rover we have an exceptional reputation to uphold, and our Chassis Engineering team plays a crucial role in allowing us to do just that. They work on the suspension, sub-frames, engine mounts, wheels and tyres, honing every component until it functions perfectly. Considering the impact the chassis has on the braking, ride, handling and agility of a vehicle, it’s essential we get it exactly right.

Within Chassis Engineering there are a variety of roles, from design engineers who create original designs for chassis components to project managers who manage our relationships with suppliers and the delivery of vehicle programmes. We also have computer-aided engineers who work to enhance the durability and performance of our vehicle systems, as well as development engineers who tune chassis systems to the high standards required of all Jaguar Land Rover vehicles.

There are four departments operating within Company Quality and Automotive Safety, all with the fundamental ethos of turning hindsight into foresight.

• Forward Model Quality – helps Product Development achieve successful and aligned vehicle programme delivery, uses and teaches Failure Mode Avoidance tools and processes, and acts as the conscience of Product Development.
• Quality Business Office (QBO) – drives JLR quality improvement by leading and being responsible for JLR quality strategy, quality targets (to achieve the strategy), quality improvement plans (to achieve the targets) and quality data analysis and insights (to support achievement of the quality improvement plans). The QBO also leads and manages both the JLR current model quality operating system and the warranty task force to ensure JLR current model quality is constantly improved and warranty spend minimised. Finally, the QBO is also responsible for JLR business process excellence and quality methods, tools and techniques improvement.
• Automotive Safety Office – provides regulatory foresight and clarifies and interprets global safety regulations. More specifically, they look after potential critical concerns, external investigations, TREAD (Transportation Recall Enhancement, Accountability and Documentation), and certification and homologation.
• Manufacturing Quality – responsible for the Manufacturing Quality Operating System (MQOS). This includes auditing compliance as well as improving existing – and developing new – procedures and standards for MQOS requirements. They also conduct the Premium Car Product Audit throughout all stages of product development and manufacture, complete Emission Conformity of Production testing and reports, and frequently assist the Manufacturing Director and Plant Directors.

Jaguar Land Rover Design is a dynamic team of professional designers and engineers who are at the forefront of automotive design and technology. By developing new product innovations, they not only offer our customers premier design, but a luxury driving experience as well.

We are looking for designers who can bring additional skills and drive into our expanding department, and who will help us deliver additional luxurious and inspirational products to market.

We have opportunities that encompass, but are not restricted to, the following areas:

• Design
• Colour and Materials
• Studio Engineering
• Digital Modelling
• Surfacing
• Design Business Operations

Regardless of which area suits you best, if you want to join our Design team, you’ll need to be highly motivated and passionate about translating a vision into a design strategy. You should also have strong interpersonal skills and time management abilities, excellent aesthetic judgement and experience of using design software packages.

Our Electrical Engineering team knows that to offer the last word in luxury driving our vehicles need to be in the first rank of technological innovation. This isn’t just about the engines beneath the bonnet. It’s about visionary developments in hybrids, infotainment, and electronic systems and electrics. Our ability to explore and introduce new thinking transforms our vehicles from icons of design, into objects of desire.

Roles in Electrical Engineering provide the opportunity to design, develop and shape the future of our electronic systems, ensuring our vehicles remain at the forefront of the premium automotive sector.

Engineered to Order (ETO) is responsible for designing and developing personalised vehicles. Their philosophy is to provide unique customer features in a nimble and responsive manner. The following categories outline the department’s key work streams:

• Luxury & Sports Brand Development – focussed on increasing the luxury and exclusivity of our premium products and enhancing Jaguar Land Rover’s performance attributes.
• New Vehicle Personalisation – develops unique design themes that enhance the core vehicle attributes (e.g. Jaguar XJ Supersport and Range Rover Sport body styling kit).
• Accessories – designs and develops a versatile and comprehensive range of accessories that tailors a vehicle’s attributes and appearance to each customer’s requirements.
• Specialised Products & Limited Editions – develops unique products in-line with customer and market requirements. This ranges from armoured vehicles that enhance customer security through to colour and material changes that differentiate the customer offering.

ETO offers engineers a rewarding experience in which they are exposed to the complete product development cycle, from business case development and programme planning, to engineering development and launch activities at the manufacturing plants.

The recently formed Hybrid Shared Technologies group is responsible for designing and developing low carbon propulsion systems from concept to production.

The group, which comprises employees from a wide range of industries and backgrounds, consists of several teams covering different disciplines: Component Engineering, Controls and Calibration, Systems and Integration, Simulation and Modelling, Vehicle Engineering, Project Management, Build Management, and Advanced Projects.

If you’re an automotive, mechanical, electrical and electronics, or control and system engineer – or you have Matlab/Simulink modelling knowledge – then you’re just the type of person we’re looking for. You should also have relevant skills in hybrid and electric vehicles, or associated technologies, or in systems engineering, power electronics, motor drives, batteries and high voltage systems.

Powertrain Engineering is responsible for designing and developing world-class engines, transmissions, drivelines and powertrain systems that not only meet our customers’ high expectations for effortless performance, but that are highly sustainable as well.

Staying ahead of the competition is a major focus of the 800 engineers in our Powertrain department, but it’s not the only one. They also need to anticipate consumer demand and respond quickly to environmental and technological issues that shape and drive our industry.

As a Powertrain Engineer you’ll have access to state-of-the-art engineering systems, processes and facilities, including extensive simulation, test bed, rig and test track facilities. You’ll therefore be in a prime position to help us create vehicles that are even more appealing and relevant to people around the world – and that will keep us at the forefront of our field.

Product Development Operations provides the whole of Product Development with the tools, processes and technologies it needs to enable best-in-class delivery of all future Jaguar Land Rover programmes. In many respects they are the backbone of Product Development, and they consist of the following sub-departments:

• PD Factory – responsible for planning workforce requirements in response to changing business needs, as well as for project management and business improvements.
• Cross Car Line & Global Product Delivery System (GPDS) – responsible for managing vehicle programmes that provide the rest of Product Development with clear direction, time scales and product definition.
• Product Information – ensures the right parts get to the assembly track at the right time to meet each customer’s order. They use a complex system of coding and schedules to relay the information.
• Tools & Technologies – provides and maintains specialist IT tools to help develop new vehicles.
• Programme Management – oversees everything from the start of a programme through to the launch, and then beyond into future model years. Timing and product planners are responsible for working closely with all functions to bring a product to market.

Ultimately, Product Development Operations is a highly varied department that allows employees to immerse themselves into all functions. Therefore, the ability to adapt and communicate well with others is essential.

Product Strategy provides a containable, condensed strategy and cycle plan that is in-line with brand strategies and corporate requirements. They reach out and work with colleagues within Product Development and cross-functionally to ensure that all areas of the business are compatible.

• Whole Life Planning and Pre-Programme Start – Carry out strategic business planning and perform long-term studies.
• Futuring – Identify, benchmark and coordinate new Jaguar Land Rover features that are innovative and that will make our products even more competitive.
• Powertrain Strategy – Lead the development of Powertrain whole life plans and strategies, recommending appropriate Powertrain solutions for the future.
• Cycle Planning – Drive the decision-making process to enable approval of realistic master cycle plan documents, and communicate any changes to key areas.
• Legislation & Sustainability – Study and understand the requirements of current and proposed global legislation in order to develop, deliver and report corporate compliance plans for vehicle safety, fuel economy/CO2, emissions and environmental attributes.

Vehicle Engineering and Attributes (VEA) is an exciting, forward-thinking department whose engineers manage and deliver the key characteristics of all our vehicles, at all stages in a product’s development. These attributes are linked to the DNA of Jaguar Land Rover products and include how well a vehicle drives, ease of control, how good it sounds and how safe it is.

The team is responsible for:

• Benchmarking, tuning and developing the attributes of all vehicle lines
• Defining the character and attribute performance
• Defining customer requirements
• Driving, working with and integrating other engineering and design departments to meet customer requirements and attribute targets
• Evaluating the design using both virtual and physical tools
• Completing final vehicle testing, validation and sign off

Engineering Technical Services (ETS) plays a vital role within Product Development, procuring world-class test and development facilities, prototype build capabilities and a wide range of engineering technical services.

The department comprises around 700 engineers, technical specialists and workshop technicians who specialise in areas such as Prototype Vehicle Design and Build, Rapid Prototyping, CAE Virtual Integration, Materials Engineering, Structural Test, Road Load Data and Climatic Test.

ETS is also responsible for all of Jaguar Land Rover’s overseas test facilities, including those in the USA, UAE, Europe and Asia. Moreover, ETS provides the site management for our Product Development function.