Jodie is an undergraduate student, studying for a Master's Degree in Mechanical Engineering at Sheffield Hallam University. She has just finished her Year in Industry placement with Rolls-Royce in Derby, and is about to start a Summer Internship with us before returning to university for her final two years.
During my Year in Industry, I worked as a Product Definition Engineer for Structures & Transmissions, Civil Aerospace. As a member of the Future Programmes Team, my role was to create CAD models, assemblies and drawings to fully define the design intent of concepts for future engines, including the Trent7000, Advance 3 and UltraFan. Over the 12 months, I developed a range of skills, whilst making real contributions towards my team and the business. I learnt how to interpret and apply the key Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing standards used at Rolls-Royce, as well as how to manage CAD data. This provided me with the skills to work on a variety of CAD applications within the department
An example of a project I worked on was creating a Design of Experiments model of the High Pressure/Intermediate Pressure turbine section of the Advance 3 engine. The purpose of the model was to influence the design of the UltraFan engine. I made geometric features parametric and linked parts to allow Stress to find the best possible combination of parameters for performance and efficiency.
As well as experiencing real-life work, I also took on several other opportunities at Rolls-Royce, such as becoming a STEM Ambassador, working towards Chartership through the IMechE Monitored Professional Development Scheme, and taking part in the Female Undergraduate of the Year Award 2017.
Tell us about being a finalist in The Female Undergraduate of the Year Awards.
The Female Undergraduate of the Year Award is organised by TARGETJobs and sponsored by Rolls-Royce. This is a national award which attracted 638 applicants studying a variety of subjects, and I successfully made it through to the final 10. As a finalist, I attended the awards ceremony in Canary Wharf, where I network with Rolls-Royce CEO Warren East, as well as senior management and other students from across the country. Based on my performance in the assessment process of the award, Rolls-Royce offered me a Summer Internship as a Manufacturing Engineer in Production Assembly & Test, which will commence soon.
When did you first become interested in engineering and working at Rolls-Royce?
My interest in Rolls-Royce first came about when I was 14 years old and I began studying engineering at The JCB Academy. Rolls-Royce is one of The JCB Academy's company sponsors, which means that the curriculum allows students to work on industry-style projects with Rolls-Royce. I also took part in a Work Experience week in Rolls-Royce’s Experimental Operations department, which further strengthened my interest in Rolls-Royce.
The opportunities that Rolls-Royce has provided have been extensive and invaluable. Both my technical and soft skills have improved massively since I joined Rolls-Royce, and I have even made the Telegraph’s Top 50 Women in Engineering 2017 list. Thank you to everybody who has supported me in what I hope is just the beginning of my career with Rolls-Royce.