Alex Whitehead

Project Engineer within a Powertrain Design Team

Graduated in 2004 with a Masters degree in Mechanical Engineering from Loughborough University

I first joined Triumph as a student during my University Placement year. Triumph offered me a graduate job at the end of my placement year and I returned as a graduate Design Engineer in September 2004. The main factors that encouraged me to return to Triumph after University were the variety and depth of different tasks that I would be involved with.

Working in the Design Department as part of a relatively small powertrain design team, I have responsibility for the entire development process for a wide variety of motorcycle components and systems, taking the design from the initial motorcycle concept stage through to production. This involves producing designs for motorcycle components using 3D CAD in addition to analysis and simulation software. Having full responsibility for these components means that I am also involved in development and testing which can include anything from monitoring in-house engine dyno testing, designing specific test equipment or visiting a proving ground to run a test session either in the UK or abroad.

As well as daily discussions with other internal departments, I am in regular communication with suppliers from all over the world. I have also had the opportunity to visit a number of these suppliers, travelling within Europe as well as the Far East.

I was promoted from Design Engineer to Project Engineer in July 2008. As a Project Engineer, in addition to the main responsibilities of a Design Engineer I also have increased responsibility in a number of areas. I am required to deputise for my Team Leader in management level review meetings as well as taking greater responsibility for planning and monitoring projects. Occasionally I am also required to supervise and assist less experienced members of the team, delegating work where appropriate

Triumph is keen to develop the skills of its employees within Design and I have attended several training courses to support my development as an engineer. These include technical/analysis based training such as Pro/Engineer 3D CAD and Pro/Mechanica Finite Element Analysis in addition to project related training such as Project Management and Communications. I have also been trained to use Autoform pressing analysis software and am responsible for providing pressing analysis support for the powertrain design teams within the Design Department.

As well as my day-to-day design responsibilities I also chair a Noise, Vibration and Harshness (NVH) Working Group within the Design Department. This Working Group is responsible for the development of knowledge and best practice for NVH related issues across all the project teams within the Design Department, including the maintenance of several in-house procedures.

I have seen Triumph expand rapidly over the several years that I have been with them and it is a fast moving and exciting place to work. The aspects of the job that I find most enjoyable are the continuous challenges involved in the development of a new motorcycle and the opportunity to gain experience in a wide variety of different areas. The most rewarding part of the job is seeing motorcycles that you have contributed to in production and being ridden on the roads. Also the positive feedback you receive from magazine reviews and customers at somewhere like the NEC Motorcycle Show makes all the hard work worthwhile.

Michael Norrington

Design Engineer within a Chassis Design Team

Graduated in 2007 with a Beng (hons) in Motorcycle Engineering and Design from Kingston University

For my placement year, as part of my degree course, I chose to apply to Triumph because of the course in which I was enrolled and my love of motorcycles. This was reinforced by the placement package which was provided and the opportunity to work with a diverse range of components, materials and manufacturing processes.

During my placement year I was involved with the Tiger 1050 project and found the year both challenging and rewarding, gaining experience in many aspects of engineering and design. At the end of the year Triumph offered me a job to return to after graduating; I gratefully accepted and returned in the summer of 2007.

I returned to an urban sports chassis design team and have found the work rewarding in many respects. Being part of a chassis design team has provided me with the sole responsibility for a major area of a new project. Working on the fuel tank, seat and various other smaller components has given me an opportunity to gain experience in many aspects of engineering. I will also get to develop these parts through testing and into volume production, thus allowing me to gain knowledge and experience of a complete project cycle. The team is also responsible for supporting an existing model which will give me the opportunity to provide current model support and learn from the different variety of challenges this offers.

Triumph have been keen to ensure progress in both my professional and personal development offering advice on MPDS as well as enrolling me on many training courses including advanced CAD, Key skills and organisational training.

The level of responsibility given to Triumph’s Design Engineers has also helped me broaden my engineering knowledge and experience.  Developing components through the entire design process has meant communication with all of the departments within Triumph including purchasing, quality and manufacturing. This communication along with liaising with suppliers has led to oversees travel including trips to the Far East.

As well as my normal duties as a Design Engineer, I am responsible for the maintenance, updating and organisation of the design department’s in house test rig facilities. Providing me with opportunities to address health and safety concerns, manage testing resources as well as the design and implementation of new testing equipment.

I am now also part of the fuel tank working group. This group is responsible for the development of best practice standards relating to the design and manufacture of fuel tanks as well as the updating of related in house procedures. It also gives the opportunity to discuss fuel tank related issue across various projects and models further broadening the knowledge base within Triumph and of the individual Design Engineers.

Triumph has always been willing to provide me with the opportunity to increase my responsibilities which I have found to be an invaluable characteristic of my employment. This has meant that everyday presents new challenges, learning experiences and rewards.

Triumph has grown rapidly since I joined in my placement year and looks set to continue that growth for the long term future. Seeing Triumph’s on the road, in the UK as well as abroad and reading the many positive test reports in the motorcycle press provides me with a great sense of achievement, this is only reinforced by being part of the remaining UK manufacturing industry.