Software Grad Eva tells us something you may not know about working at JLR

How would you describe the culture at JLR in 3 words? 
Collaborative, nurturing, memorable 

What do you like the most about working at JLR Shannon?
The eagerness to learn and do great. It was clear when I began at JLR that there is no prejudice. Everyone wants to share their knowledge; you have a team behind you to support you and back you up in everything you do. No matter who I have asked for support they have been happy to hop on a call and share their expertise, at the same time others are also happy to reach out to me for help no matter what stage of their career they are at- I have learned from peers that this is not a given in the industry which has made me value it all the more. 

What has been the highlight in your journey with us to date?
A highlight of my journey at JLR so far would definitely have to be the Graduate Induction trip to the UK. It was right at the beginning of the Graduate Programme so allowed all the graduates to get to know one another, but also get an insight into some areas we don’t get to see on a day-to-day basis. During the trip we got to visit locations such as the Silverstone track, Solihull and Gaydon. Two standout moments for me were firstly participating in JLR’s breath taking driving experience that has been around since the 1940s! Navigating the tracks in a Defender was definitely a bonding experience! Also, the opportunity to get a tour through one of the manufacturing plants was a huge eye opener into a whole other world at JLR- the scale of what we do is amazing.

Why did you choose to work in tech?
In secondary school I had no idea I would work in this industry. I really enjoyed school, maths and physics were my strongest subjects, but I had no idea what to do with these skills. Computing, engineering, maths, and technology were not pushed in my all-girls secondary school, so I really did not have knowledge of what was out there. My indecision led me to choose general engineering at third level with the option to branch out into a specialised field after 1st year. I was convinced I would choose mechanical engineering but after a short computing module I was transformed. This was my first interaction with programming, and I loved it- the problem solving, the inherent logic, the creativity, it was really exciting, and it led me to choose Electronic and Computer Engineering. This dive into the tech world was huge for me, it was unexpected, but I have embraced being a woman in tech ever since I made my first move into the field. I love the far-reaching scope of the tech industry- the ability to work in the automotive industry, fashion, banking, AI, education, health, space. The possibilities are endless and many of them still unknown. It feels like I have opened huge, heavy doors and can run wild in an industry that is at a pivotal point in its lifecycle.

Tell us more about how technology is being used to improve customer experience.
Customer love is at the forefront of what we do across all the domains at JLR, ensuring that our customers have the best experience possible is a key driver for what we do. From identifying each driver using their key and adjusting settings such as driving position, climate control infotainment preferences, to suggesting regular routes taken by the driver, even alerting them when their eyes stray from the road. All of these technologies ensure that the customer is having the best experience possible. When working within a smaller team it can be hard to see directly the impact on the customer as we are focused on the tasks at hand and delivering software on time. However, the quality checks we do and adhere to, the bugs that we collaborate with others to solve, the software we deliver as a team- all of these are to improve customer experience and put integrity behind the work we do.

What is something cool about your job that people may not know?
One surprising and really cool aspect of my job as a graduate software developer at JLR Ireland is the incredible amount of time and resources dedicated to learning and growth. This is my favourite part of the job! Every day, I have the opportunity to expand my technical knowledge, which is not only expected but also encouraged and rewarded.

But here's the part that people might not know- JLR places a huge emphasis on developing soft skills as well. This has been incredibly beneficial, whether it's learning how to collaborate effectively, engaging an audience during presentations, or handling conflicts. Having dedicated time to upskill in these areas, away from technical work, is a rare and valuable opportunity in one's career. It's this blend of technical and personal development that makes the role so unique and fulfilling.

What are your career aspirations? 
I have always known that I want to work somewhere that is doing something new, that is helping a community and supporting a better future but since I began at JLR in January 2024 I now know that I also want to work somewhere that encourages learning. This has been one of my favourite things about working here and something that I will seek out no matter where I go in my future. There is nothing that has brought me more joy than being encouraged to try new tasks and ask for support, develop skills I have dabbled in, and sign up to trainings outside of my task scope. There is something so motivating about being part of a team that wants you to grow and encourages your curiosity.