Liaison Engineer Review

Being part of the BMW Group, specifically Rolls-Royce Motor Cars was a huge insight into the world of Automotive Engineering. As I was based in the Laision Engineering department, our primary role was to be the link between the design engineers based at the BMW Headquarters in Munich, Germany, and the assembly line in Goodwood, UK. On a daily basis we solved problems and implemented engineering changes to allow the vehicles to excel in quality. I was exposed to and deeply involved in a variety of pre-series and series projects spanning all elements inside and outside the car. It was a fantastic experience which I truely enjoyed.

As any place of work, you meet a large amount of people with different personalities and characteristics. Overall, I felt very valued by my colleagues at Rolls-Royce Motor Cars as you are treated as an equal, despite only being an intern. I was expected to deliver presentations to managment and give clear and accurate details of difficult problems when required. I felt the trust was there between me and my colleagues, but I was also able to make new, life long friends.

During my time, I was involved in the standard BMW Group Personal Learning and Development Plan with my manager which helped me achieve my targets set at the start of my placement. I also had regular 1 on 1 support with my line and general manager on a variety of different topics.

The workload was high, with dedication, organisation and time planning being critical to making sure your work was completed on time. With that being said, each day came and went very quickly as the enjoyment which I got out of working on so many different projects was a fantastic opportunity.

I was given a range of responsiblity during my placement. For example, I had day to day responsiblities for my tea; updating charts and spreadsheets with activites and running jobs, but I also had larger responsibilites within the plant by being lead engineer on several topics for problem solving and quality issues.

I now have a better understanding of the industry I would like to work in when I graduate. I feel now my studies will have a direction and I will be able to relate theroies to real life problems and issues that I faced during my placement.

The general atmosphere was positive and friendly. Everyone is approchable but also focused and proffesional. You can easily have fun with colleagues when needed and big social breakfasts were always on the list!

I was the 3rd placement student in my department when I first joined, so I was apprehensive. However, my skills were reviewed at regular intervals and I was able to take on tasks best suited to me. The flexibility behind what I could work on was also a big bonus for me.

Through the type of projects I was envolved in, each one required a different focus and a different team. Sometimes you were part of the core team, sometimes you led the core team. Each project came with its own challenges and successes, but ultimatley allowed me to develop on the job.

As Rolls-Royce Motor Cars becoming more and more accomodating to luxury ideas and activites, the future opportunities for employment prospects in the comany are endless.

The company had a large mix of placement students. The students were friendly and became very helpful to break the ice between departments. The social scene for interns was good here at RRMC.

Cost of living is quite high around RRMC, but if you are up for travelling or living with a friend/in shared accomodation then this is reduced dramatically, and becomes no different then when living at university.

Chichester has no immediate night clubs, but lots of great pubs, bars and resteraunts. Although, with London, Portsmouth and Southampton on the door step there is plenty of opportunity.

There are always opportunites advertised and lots of discounted extras you can get by being a BMW Group member.