The best companies employ the best graduates: that’s why some of our graduates have secured employment with the likes of Dyson, Jaguar, Mars and many other prestigious companies.

What are our graduates doing now?

Ben, on his career at Jaguar Land Rover

'Within a couple of months of graduating from the MEng Mechanical Engineering course I began my career with Jaguar Land Rover. 

My home department is a relatively small part of the company called ‘Engineered to Order’ (ETO) which has representation from all areas of the business. ETO is responsible for not just bespoke vehicles, armoured editions and accessories but also special versions of the standard vehicles for both high performance (R-S) and luxury versions (Ultimate or Autobiography).

I have recently started my second half of the two year graduate programme. Over the course of the scheme the engineering graduates are encouraged to experience various aspects of the company as well as pursuing IMechE chartered accreditation. The placements are not pre-arranged allowing each graduate to tailor their two year scheme.

During my first year I have supported my home department on various projects. I have also managed to spend 3 months overseeing the update of over 100 prototype vehicle and their allocation for test work all around the world, 3 months working on high performance powertrains for ETO’s low volume performance products, several weeks with the Finance team and two weeks on the Jaguar manufacturing line. I have recently started with the Durability & Reliability department for 3 months and will be joining the Marketing department nearer the end of my two year scheme.

I was fortunate enough to be awarded a place on a 13 week internship with Jaguar Land Rover during the summer prior to my final year at Sussex. I cannot recommend this type of work experience highly enough - after all, my graduate role was secured through this internship. Knowing the graduate scheme position was organised during my Masters year was ideal and allowed me to focus on my studies and supporting the Formula Student team which was a fantastic learning experience. 

I had a fantastic time during my 4 years studying engineering at Sussex and have had a great year with Jaguar Land Rover. I am very much looking forward to the second. Hopefully we will see more and more Sussex engineers working at Jaguar Land Rover in years to come.' 

Ben Verrecchia
ETO Vehicle Engineering, Jaguar Land Rover

Matthew, on working at Ricardo and his experience with the Formula student team 

'I joined Ricardo as a Graduate Engineer two months after graduating from Sussex with a MEng degree in Mechanical Engineering. 

I have always been a motorsport fan and car enthusiast and chose to study Mechanical Engineering at Sussex because of its course structure and reputation.  I have enjoyed the broad range of subjects they teach, this knowledge comes in very useful when working alongside engineers from different disciplines.

As soon as I started at Sussex I was able to get involved in the Formula Student project and in my second and third years I was heavily involved in helping assemble and manufacture many parts of the 2011 and 2012 cars. I was the team leader of 2013 project where we designed, built and competed a small single seat prototype racing car and came 2nd among the UK teams in the endurance. '

Matthew Mammana
Graduate Engineer, Ricardo

A day in the working life of Dorota Biniecka: Product Design Graduate (BSc)

I am a designer for  Mitchell & Cooper – manufacturer and supplier of products for Bar, Catering and Café Industry. My responsibilities include conceptualisation, detailed design, development, production to feedback and evaluation for the in-house brand  Bonzer® as well as improvement and development of existing product ranges alongside Manufacturing & Design Engineer. I am also involved in design and development of product ideas for Point of Purchase and retail environments.

 

A day in the working life of Martin Soeding: Mechanical Engineering Graduate (MEng)

Recent engineering graduate Martin Soeding has started working for  Perkins (part of Caterpillar) in their graduate scheme.  

What does your graduate scheme involve?

I will change departments every 6 months for the first two years as part of the graduate scheme. I am currently placed within the After treatment team. I make sure that the new 6 Cylinder engine meets the new Tier 4 Final emissions targets for 2014. This means working on the Clean Emissions Module (CEM) that is attached after the engine and is part of the exhaust system.