Life at JLR blog
JLR have been pivotal in honing my skills and advancing my professional development
Kulsoom talks about recently working on the newly launched Defender OCTA, as well as the support she’s had throughout her career here at JLR.
Q: What is your role at JLR and has it changed since you’ve been here?
My journey at JLR began as part of the graduate scheme, and since then, I have progressed to the role of Systems Engineer. In this capacity, I serve as a System Leader and Squad Scrum Master within the Seating Systems team in Body Chassis Engineering.
Q: Tell us about your growth at JLR.
Since joining JLR, I have leveraged my unique perspective, engineering skills, and problem-solving mindset to contribute to the company’s vision and drive innovation in developing next-generation luxury JLR products. My team’s positive energy and supportive environment at JLR have been instrumental in my professional growth, providing the encouragement I’ve needed to excel.
Q: Tell us about an exciting project you’ve worked on.
I take particular pride in the newly launched Defender OCTA, as I was part of the SV Seating team that delivered the high-performance seats on this model, marking a significant achievement for us. I supported the vehicle programme through key testing gateways, and it’s been incredible to see JLR’s vision for this Defender realised through our efforts. Additionally, I had the opportunity to design, develop, and deliver an optimisation tool aimed at improving the Electric Drive Unit design processes with my GIC team. These projects have been instrumental in my growth, allowing me to apply and expand my skills in leadership, technical development, and project management. More importantly, these experiences have underscored the impact of our work and the love our customers have for the innovative solutions we deliver.
Q: How have your colleagues, friends and family supported you throughout your career?
The supportive team culture and nurturing environment at JLR have been pivotal in honing my skills and advancing my professional development. However, my parents’ continuous guidance and encouragement, especially during my early years, have truly driven my ambition and approach to both personal and professional endeavours. Education has been a core familial value, forming a solid foundation for my academic pursuits. Following the family tradition of pursuing higher education in the UK, I chose to study Electrical & Electronic Engineering at the University of Bristol. This decision marked a significant milestone in my journey towards becoming the first engineer in my family. Raised in a household passionate about luxury cars and bikes, I developed an early interest in the automotive world. Combining this passion with my technical expertise in engineering, I decided to pursue a career in Automotive Product Engineering. At JLR, I apply this enthusiasm and knowledge to our product engineering team, contributing to the innovative and complex systems behind our modern luxury products.
Q: How has JLR supported you being able to bring your authentic self to work?
JLR’s commitment to celebrating the rich cultural diversity of its employees by supporting the various networks is truly commendable. I’ve enjoyed celebrating my Pakistani heritage with my colleagues, which serves as a reminder of my roots and cultural identity. This connection not only instils a sense of pride but also enhances my personal understanding of the rich traditions and values that shape who I am today. The confidence and professional development opportunities I have received at JLR have been invaluable, and I am excited about what the future holds. As I look forward, I am committed to continuing to contribute meaningfully and to upholding the values of growth, unity, impact, and integrity that define both my professional journey and the ethos of JLR.