Chris Mansbridge MEng Mechanical Engineering/ Automotive, 2016

Project Engineer for Body Exterior at McLaren Automotive

I chose the University of Southampton primarily because of its excellent reputation and facilities, however the smaller details really set it apart for me. I loved the open, natural feeling of the campus, and since I have always had a keen interest in motor sport the Wessex Motor Club offered a great opportunity to get involved with a wide variety of motor sport events.

Why did you choose to come to Southampton?

I chose the University of Southampton primarily because of its excellent reputation and facilities, however the smaller details really set it apart for me. I loved the open, natural feeling of the campus, and since I have always had a keen interest in motor sport the Wessex Motor Club offered a great opportunity to get involved with a wide variety of motor sport events.

What did you enjoy most about your course?

Before accepting my place at the University, the biggest appeal was the format of the engineering course itself. I liked the option to specialise being delayed until Year 3; the broad scope of the first two years allows students to make an informed decision rather than confining themselves to a particular field. This meant that as I progressed into the final two years and was given more freedom to select modules, I was able to focus my learning onto areas that really interested me.

Did you undertake a project as part of your course? What was your favourite part?

I completed a Group Design Project (or GDP) which accounted for a significant proportion of my fourth year. The team was comprised of eight final year students, and we were tasked with converting a conventional quad bike to run on electric power. The vehicle was donated by Chilworth Conservation Area and the University Science Park, who intended to continue using it after conversion. We had support from REAPsystems, a global leader in battery management systems, and were able to successfully plan and implement our design. I particularly enjoyed the relevance of the project, as well as the real-world implications of working with a customer and understanding the requirements of other stakeholders.

Did you undertake a placement while you were a student? How did you find the placement, and what skills did you develop?

I completed a year-long placement with McLaren Automotive in between my third and final years. I found the placement via the University who regularly contacted students to inform us of various opportunities throughout the year. The placement gave me the opportunity to practise and develop several of the skills taught at university, however I can’t overstate how useful it was to simply be immersed into a business environment. It gave me a far better understanding of the communication, personal and technical skills required of an engineer.

What does your current job involve?

I am currently a Project Engineer for Body Exterior at McLaren Automotive. This involves managing parts from early design stages all the way through to being fitted to customer vehicles on all current and future models. Body Exterior covers most of the exterior parts of the car, including diffusers, headlights, glazing and bumpers.

How have you used the skills and knowledge you developed at Southampton in your career?

Much of the detail learnt at university is very specific and unlikely to be used regularly, however the approach to problem solving is something that appears persistently in all areas of my job. The soft skills taught at Southampton such as presenting and other forms of communicating are also not to be underestimated. Both internally when presenting to other employees, or externally speaking to suppliers it is vital that you are able to express your ideas clearly and concisely.

How did your course help you to get the career you wanted?

I studied Mechanical Engineering with an Automotive theme, which was clearly a good starting point for working in the automotive industry. I believe there’s no substitute for physically immersing yourself in the workplace, however the university gave me an excellent foundation to work from and prepared me well for the challenges ahead.

What advice would you give to an engineering student starting their degree at Southampton?

I would advise that all engineering students consider completing a year in industry before finishing their degree. I wasn’t originally intending to do so, however when the opportunity presented itself I couldn’t say no and in hindsight that was the best decision I’ve made for my career. When the time came round to apply for graduate schemes and other jobs, the placement year was an invaluable way of setting myself apart.

What has been your greatest career achievement so far?

I’ve only been working for McLaren for a matter of weeks so this is a tough one! I received a scholarship from the IMechE before going to university, which was certainly my greatest achievement at the time, and I was very proud to receive a first class honours for my degree.