Product Engineering Graduate Review

The JLR graduate program has been an absolutely brilliant experience so far. The breadth of opportunities available sets it apart from other schemes; I genuinely haven't heard of another company offering this level of exposure. The Early Careers team are exceptional, having orchestrated everything from a Ride and Drive off-roading day and a 1-week manufacturing placement, to bespoke shadowing in a business area of my choice. I also completed a months-long personal development course (for all graduates to take part in) focused on learning fundamental interpersonal and business skills, which was a fantastic chance to network with graduates across all locations.

The graduate structure has allowed me to experience three distinct roles. I started as a Software Developer Tester for the in-car infotainment system. My second rotation focused on Software Solutions Architecture, where I designed technical solutions for new mobile app features. I'm currently in my role as a Technical Product Owner. This rotation is definitely the most enjoyable, as it involves taking ownership of new features, engaging in high-level networking across the business to gather all requirements, and translating these into actionable solutions for the development teams.

As with any large organisation, the level of meaningful contribution you can make depends heavily on the specific team, their current capacity, and the immediate demand for work. However, the opportunities to make a real impact are definitely present. It sometimes requires proactive effort to find these gaps, but the graduate structure ensures you will find a rotation where your contributions are highly valued.

The salary is notable high for a graduate scheme, increasing generously after 1 year. We are given £150 per year to spend on learning a new skill, which could be anothing from cooking courses to learning a new langauge. As a Manchester-based graduate, I am given oppurtunities to take business trips to other sites for the various gradaute events which I really enjoy.
The downside is that the whole company is required to take 5 days of annual leave every Christmas shutdown. Most other companies only require 3 days so this is too much for my liking but ok if you're happy to have a long break.

The rotational nature of the program is the key element here. Moving from hands-on testing/development to solutions architecture, and now to a technical product owner position, has provided an invaluable, 360-degree view of the product lifecycle. I'm not just learning technical skills; I'm learning how to manage stakeholders, break down complex business requirements, and design scalable systems.

The comany has a lot of flexibility, with their hybrid working structure. They also have a lot of trust in their employees, and therefore you can generally choose your own working hours, as long as you are meeting your core working hours (10-3) and attending all schedueled meetings.

Yes

I would strongly recommend the JLR Graduate Scheme to anyone keen on a technical career that offers variety and high-impact work. The rotational structure is the biggest selling point; it prevents stagnation and ensures rapid learning across different domains.

Based on the recruitment materials, I expected a challenging but rewarding scheme with good exposure to the business. My experience has actually exceeded expectations. While I expected rotations, I didn't anticipate the level of autonomy I would be given so quickly. The commitment to formal training (like the personal development course) and the organised networking events also went above and beyond.