Mechanical Design Engineer Review

Using CAD to design and draw F1 components. Involved in projects across the car and across different championships throughout the placement. Day-to-day involves the design of parts, creating engineering drawings and resolving any manufacturing non-conformances or faults from race weekends. Involves lots of collaboration across departments where parts interact with different systems, and involve being signed off by the structures team, but also how assemblies are built and fitted to the car.

With the cost-cap operating in Formula 1, placement students are valuable members within the organisation and given real responsibility. The team would struggle with the workload if placement students didn't complete the work required so lots of responsibility falls on their shoulders. Personally, I was involved in an upgrade involving the floor and even as a placement student, was the lead mechanical designer within the group helping the composite designers with their task. Within Williams we haven't been treated like students, but more as members of the team.

Good engineering practice has been developed throughout the year to provide parts of high enough quality to track with the speed required to keep up in F1. CAD skills are developed every day with new techniques being taught that would never get the opportunity to be taught in a University classroom. Being in such a fast paced environment requires a lot of learning very quickly in order to land on your feet.

At the beginning of the placement, plenty of training and support was given to get all placements comfortable and at a level to complete work independently. Throughout the year I have had monthly 1-on-1's with my manager to ensure that I am doing well and happy with my work and growth, and that my manager has been providing the right level of support and guidance themselves.

Williams has a very positive work culture with everyone aligned to the single goal of making our car faster. Everyone is very friendly, approachable and willing to help where they can and makes Williams feel like a family. As we all collectively want to work up the grid we will help everyone were we can to get jobs completed/teach things we don't know and support each other through the season.

It has been a real privilege to be able to work for this team and due to the nature of the industry, there are plenty of unique opportunities for bits of fun - esports socials on the sim rigs for example. Due to the speed of Formula 1 you're never bored when you come to work because there's always a new project to be working on or a new part to design.

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