Helen Jackson

Qualifications

BEng (Hons) Automotive Engineering, University of Leeds

MSc in Motorsport Engineering and Management, Cranfield University

When you first became interested in the industry - personally and professionally (if different) and why?

Prior to university I worked at MIRA for a year in the Body Structures department working on a range of safety tests. During my undergraduate degree at Leeds University I became involved with the Formula SAE/Student team and was bitten by the motorsport bug. Competitions in the UK, USA and Australia followed as I worked my way up through the team developing my machining and sheet metal working skills. Ultimately I became team captain in my final year with additional responsibility for the design of the final drive unit on the car.

Current Job Title/Company

Project Engineer Wheels and Tyres - Jaguar Land Rover Special Vehicles

Responsibilities/what does your job involve?

I primarily work as a project engineer developing new wheels for top of the range Jaguars and Range Rovers. These are usually larger than the standard fit options and have highly polished or diamond turned surface finishes. This involves working closely with our suppliers, and other areas of the business to ensure that the engineering development and testing are completed to meet the programme requirements. I also work with other engineers in the department to complete test work on other aspects of the vehicles. My motorsport experience often enables me to find solutions to seemingly insurmountable problems.

What steps did you take to get into your current role?

In addition to my time at MIRA during one of my summers at University I worked at Land Rover and that led to the opportunity to attend one of their graduate assessment centres. My experience with the Formula SAE/Student car gave me an excellent set of experiences to draw on during the interview.

Details of any major obstacles faced and how these were overcome?

I have been fortunate always to have found opportunities that match my skills and experience. Researching the company and their expectations meant that I was well prepared for my interview. Therefore there really haven’t been any major obstacles.

What do you like best about your job?

I have a lot of responsibility and get to work closely with a number of different suppliers. I’ve had the opportunity to learn about a number of different aspects of engineering and materials science, and I’m working towards gaining Chartership with the IMechE. My hours are relatively civilised and allow me to pursue my interest in motorsport in my spare time and during my holidays.

Are there any disadvantages?

Work commitments mean I sometimes miss test sessions, and don’t have as much time as I would like to develop some of my technical understanding of motorsport.

Do you have any additional involvement with Motorsport?

My spare time is taken up working with two race teams on four very different cars… I have continued my involvement with Team West-Tec, I completed a thesis on tyres for them as part of my Msc at Cranfield. My role is race engineer for their SCSA car, building on my experience as junior race engineer last year on the championship winning car, to engineering this year’s championship win. I have recently started to help with the data analysis for the Formula Ford cars. There are some exciting projects for the future too

Team West-Tec and Michael Vergers SCSA champions 2005

As a new challenge in 2006 I have started working with Rollcentre Racing on the British GT Mosler MT900R. My role within the team is mostly as a mechanic as well as helping to co-ordinate tyres and presentation of the car and pit area. While less challenging technically, it is a good way to learn how the car and team operate and provides a solid foundation of understanding for the future. My work with the GT team led to the opportunity to work with the team on the Radical SR9 at Le Mans this year. This was an amazing experience, and the first step in pursuing my long term goal of engineering a car at Le Mans.

Mosler MT900R                                         Radical on grid at Le Mans Dunlop stickers  applied by me!

Rear view The “Shoe Shine crew”              Rollcentre Racing Le Mans 2006

More shiny Wheels!

What are your plans for the future?

My long term goal is to be race engineer for a car at Le Mans. I am working on building up the experience that I require to make that goal happen. I intend to continue making the most of all opportunities I’m offered or I create, and the contacts I make.

Advice you would give youngsters trying to get into Motorsport

A wise man once told me "You make your own luck in motorsport" - it is possibly the best advice I've been given. Actions speak louder than words, simply sending people your CV won’t get you the job. There will never be a substitute for hard work and perseverance, but that's what makes motorsport so challenging and ultimately rewarding too.