Chassis Development Engineer
Bruntingthorpe Proving Ground, Leicestershire
Engineering, Engineering
What will it be like to work for Royal Enfield?
As the oldest motorcycle company in continuous production, Royal Enfield made its first motorcycle in 1901. The team is growing consistently, competitively and profitably over a decade now, actively chasing its aim to be the #1 global mid-size motorcycle company and be the #1Brand in product and service excellence.
At Royal Enfield, we don’t simply focus on what we do, but how we do it is also very important to us. We do not follow the industry conventions, or take the well-trodden path. We create our own path and that has led us to this outstanding success in the past. Our values and the brand remains at the core of all our activities, as we work towards transforming Royal Enfield into a complete experiential brand.
To that effect, we are adding quality and diversity to the existing team by bringing in new people from different industries providing us with a wide range of thoughts and ideas; people from different parts of the world to help us learn about the markets we intend to serve in the future.
In 2017 Royal Enfield commissioned its secretive new Global Technology Centre at the Bruntingthorpe Proving Grounds, Leicestershire. The "RE Tech Centre" is housed at one of the largest privately owned vehicle test track facilities in the UK , ensuring ease of access to a host of vehicle development, engineering and testing related facilities.
The Royal Enfield UK Technology Centre is the global headquarters for product strategy, development, industrial design, research and programme management.
The Centre itself is spread across three thousand square metres and includes an industrial design studio, engine development lab, electrics, chassis build, spray shop, model shop, metal work and parts store. Due to the continued global success of our product and brand we're looking to add to our team by recruiting for a Chassis Development Engineer.
Overview:
As a Chassis Development Engineer for Royal Enfield you will be part of the Global Technical Organisation and report to the Team Leader/Lead Engineer - Chassis Development. The role will involve working from concept stage through to start of production. You will work with cross-functional teams in Industrial Design, Product Development, and Genuine Motorcycle Accessories but predominantly provide support to the Chassis Engineering Team to ensure that projects are delivered to meet the requirements from all departments.
Key responsibilities:
- Develop suspension, tyres, chassis geometry, braking systems and ergonomics for new and updated chassis projects, considering function, cost and product requirements.
- Produce good quality inspection data.
- Produce good quality 2D inspection drawings.
- Follow and help maintain development and test procedures.
- Produce supporting documentation for development tests and activities, as required.
- Liaise with internal departments such as, Product Strategy, Industrial Design, Sourcing, Manufacturing, Quality and Assembly.
- Liaise with external suppliers.
- Consider and comply with regulatory requirements where needed.
- Have a good understanding of the application of regulatory requirements for motorcycles.
- Manage their own time and workload effectively.
- Create and manage timing plans for their areas of responsibility.
- Manage any contractors or technicians allocated to help with development activities.
- Provide guidance to other team members where required.
- Represent the development team in interdepartmental meetings in the absence of the team leader or lead engineer.
- Plan and conduct UK and overseas tests, responsible for the whole team including riders, technicians, engineers and external contractors during development activities.
Qualifications and Experience:
- Qualified to degree level or similar, with 3+ years relevant experience in a similar role
- Knowledge or / interest in Chassis Development and testing
- Knowledge of motorcycle design and development process preferred
- Understanding of PLM systems
- Literate in Google Suite / MS Office software
Success metrics or Key Performance Indicators (KPIs):
- Produce supporting documentation for development tests and activities
- Produce good quality inspection data.
- Produce good quality 2D inspection drawings.
Scope and Impact:
As Chassis Development Engineer you will be responsible for supporting the delivery of motorcycle projects on time and in full. The Chassis Development Engineer role will begin at early concept stage working with the product strategy department where you will be responsible to conduct benchmark testing to set early development targets. The responsibility will then move to developing the motorcycle project with the chassis engineering team to reach the dynamic targets set. The Chassis Development Engineer will then support the validation process to ensure the motorcycle maintains the dynamic targets set at early concept stage.
Key Attributes - Success metrics or Key Performance Indicators:
- Be able to demonstrate good time management and excellent knowledge of engineering fundamentals.
- Excellent presentation skills and confident speaking.
- Good understanding of the design requirements for mass production motorcycles.
- Good technical comprehension of suspension systems, braking systems including ABS, along with wheel and tyres.
- Past experience in development tests.
- Flexibility, independent working style and absolute reliability.
- Willingness to travel both in the UK and internationally.
Network and stakeholders:
- Product Strategy
- Industrial Design
- Product Development
- Procurement & Strategic Sourcing
- Genuine Motorcycle Accessories
- Quality Assurance
- Sales
- Marketing
Experience:
- Past experience in engineering design and chassis set up of motorcycles.
- Good knowledge of suspension systems, tyres, wheels and braking systems.
- Good understanding of motorcycle geometry, chassis layout, ergonomics and chassis construction.
- Practical experience of vehicle maintenance and preparation along with suspension unit service and maintenance is advantageous
- Experience in chassis development testing.
- Some experience in 3D CAD design, knowledge of CREO is advantageous.
- The successful candidate may well be required, dependent on project demands, to make visits to India and Spain.
As a division of Eicher Motors Limited, Royal Enfield has created the mid-sized motorcycle segment in India with its unique and distinctive modern classic bikes. With its new manufacturing base in Chennai, India, Royal Enfield is able to grow its production rapidly against a surge in demand for its motorcycles. With more than 40% growth every year for the last 5 years, Royal Enfield is fast becoming a very important player in the global mid-size motorcycle market and is working towards re-inventing this space with motorcycles that are evocative and engaging and great fun to ride.
Royal Enfield’s motorcycle line-up includes the newly launched Interceptor 650 and the Continental GT 650, powered by a modern 648cc twin cylinder engine. Royal Enfield also manufactures the Classic, Bullet and Thunderbird models in 350cc displacement and the purpose-built Himalayan powered by the new LS410 engine. Royal Enfield operates through 18 company-operated stores and 940 large format stores and 500 studio stores in all major cities and towns in India, and exports to over 50 countries across the world including the USA, UK, several European and Latin American countries, as well as the Middle East and South-East Asia.
Royal Enfield also organizes and supports many motorcycling events and rides globally, more prominently the Rider Mania – an annual gathering of Royal Enfield riders from all over the world to the lovely beaches of Goa, and the Himalayan Odyssey, the most arduous motorcycle ride over some of the toughest roads and highest mountain passes in the Himalayas. Royal Enfield also conducts the popular ‘OneRide’ where people around the world ride out on their motorcycles on the first Sunday of April.
