Quality Engineer Degree Apprentice
Lotus Cars builds world-class, high-performance and lightweight sports cars that are sold all around the world.
Lotus Cars Limited is the manufacturing site of Lotus in the UK. Here we produce all sportscars types such as the Emira and the Evija. To bring the company to the level we want it to be, we are looking for a perceived quality apprentice in the perceived quality Department to join us in our manufacturing plant based in Hethel.
Job Summary
In the Automotive industry, the Perceived Quality (PQ) is the first impression of the car to the customer, and it is related to how the car is designed and built.
The first impression is the first experience that we have of the car, how we perceive what we see, touch, hear and smell.
The role of the Perceived Quality team is to decode the Design intent and the perception of the customer in engineering specification to give to the customer the best quality impression of the car.
Role Responsibilities, Experience, Selection Criteria
We are searching for a driven, enthusiastic apprentice to join our PQ team, where you will work towards a degree qualification.
The apprentice will have the opportunity to learn and gain valuable experiences in the automotive sector, from the Perceived Quality team at Lotus.
For the duration of the apprenticeship, you will gain practical experience and develop theoretical knowledge, whilst obtaining formal qualifications which are professionally recognised and fully transferable within the industry.
Perceived Quality Engineer Responsibilities
Main responsibilities:
- To support the Perceived Quality (PQ) attributes, in particularly the PQ Materials, who are targeted with ensuring the best practice material and surface finish selection and execution, and the AAR (Appearance Approval Report) managing.
- To support the PQ visualization in terms of Appearance and Lighting, to create rendering able to show the issue in the customer perception.
- Conduct Research into industry standards of execution, materials content and best practice Engineering solutions.
- Support development of Lotus PQ processes & procedures.
- Support in the development or reports & presentations.
- Provide support to Perceived Quality attribute reviews on Lotus and competitor products, assisting in the sourcing of vehicles and suitable environments as required.
- Keep up to date with industry trends / best in class practices.
- Support the development of Customer Research and reporting.
- Assist with the production approval of parts during the build phases.
Apprenticeship
Candidate will be expected to:
- Meet the entry criteria for the Packaging Engineer Apprenticeship with Sheffield Hallam University over C.4 Years. Candidates typically should have BBC A-levels including maths and one other from physics, physical science, engineering science, computer science, technology, chemistry or other science or technology subject. Alternatively, DMM BTEC Extended Diploma in a science/technology-based subject (inc. passes in maths and two other science/technology-based modules), 112 UCAS points.
- Commit to full participation in the apprenticeship, fully funded by Lotus, who will provide you sufficient time for off the job learning, in accordance with apprenticeship rules.
- Travel and stay in hotels (covered by Lotus), whilst undertaking study in blocks with Sheffield Hallam university.
Essential Criteria
- Enthusiastic and passionate personality.
- Analytical, structured, confident, with good communication skills.
- Ability to work under own initiative or part of a team.
- Ability to think outside the box.
- Interest in factors influencing perceived quality in automotive applications or similar, including visual appearance, haptic and feel.
- Ability to understand colour.
- Interest in materials used in automotive interiors and exteriors, such as plastics, textiles, metals, and composites.
- Full drivers’ licence.
Desirable Criteria
- A focus on materials, design or automotive engineering.
What we offer:
- Pension scheme
- Bupa private healthcare (optional)
- 25 days holiday (plus bank holidays)
- Salary £24,000 per annum - with opportunity for review
- The degree qualification is sponsored by Lotus
Additional Information:
- This role will be working from our Hethel plant within our Apprentice working policy.
- Candidates must be eligible to work in UK without VISA sponsorship.
- Open to external applicants only.
- Please note we are unable to accept applications from candidates that already hold a subject related degree.
Our Company:
Group Lotus is a leading sports car manufacturer with a 75-year long history of iconic designs, groundbreaking engineering and legendary victories on the F1 track. Today we are transforming into a truly global performance car brand focused on the electrical future. In 2022 we launched the Eletre, the world’s first all-electric hyper-SUV, and in 2023 our fully-electric Hyper-GT, Emeya. By 2026 Lotus will produce three more all-electric lifestyle models that change the game.
As part of the Lotus team, you push boundaries. Those of the car industry and of your own. Every member of the Lotus family has some of the pioneering mindset of founder Colin Chapman in them.
Hethel, Norfolk, England has been the home of Lotus for over 60 years, ever since Colin Chapman, our founder, started making championship-winning racing cars. In conjunction with production facilities in Norwich, and research facilities near Warwick, our UK sites offer a wide breadth of roles for all disciplines.
We're not just a car company; we're a diverse mix of talent from all walks of life. At Group Lotus, we firmly believe that diversity and inclusion are not just buzzwords but essential pillars of a thriving and successful organization. Read more here: Equity, Diversity & Inclusion in Lotus Cars.
Do you want to know what Sophisticated, Rebellious and Pioneering mean for Lotus Cars Limited? Come and take a look at our career site and join the incredible adventure: https://lotusukmanufacturing.teamtailor.com/
- Department
- Quality
- Locations
- Hethel
- Remote status
- Hybrid Remote
About Lotus UK Manufacturing
For more than six decades, Hethel, Norfolk, has stood as the headquarters of Lotus, tracing back to the visionary inception of our founder, Colin Chapman, crafting championship-winning racing cars.
Complementing our legacy, production facilities in Norwich and Warwick collectively form an integral part of our UK footprint, providing a diverse array of opportunities
Hethel hosts our race track, engineering functions, and the newly established Chapman Production Centre. This centre of excellence is renowned for its world-class standards and is presently engaged in crafting the Emira, Lotus's ultimate petrol-powered masterpiece.
The Chapman Production Centre stands as one of the world's most advanced low-volume automotive manufacturing facilities, with a capacity to produce approximately 5,000 cars annually.
Featuring a cutting-edge paint shop equipped with automated processes, and robots - including primer, colour, and clear coat application, it ensures an unparalleled finish, efficient throughput, and flawless consistency for our vehicles.
As part of the Lotus team, you push boundaries. Those of the car industry and of your own. Every member of the Lotus family has some of the pioneering mindset of founder Colin Chapman in them.
Quality Engineer Degree Apprentice
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