These new roles, part of a £15 billion investment, are in addition to 300 positions created last year by the British car maker.
Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) is expanding significantly by recruiting 250 electrical engineers to develop a range of new electric vehicles (EVs) set to debut by 2030. This recruitment drive starts with the introduction of an electric Range Rover later this year.
These roles are part of a broader initiative, adding to the 300 technician positions announced last year. All these positions are funded through JLR’s £15 billion Reimagine strategy, aimed at transitioning the company into the era of electric mobility.
The new hires will be based at JLR’s Gaydon Engineering Centre and Whitley Future Energy Lab. Forty of these roles will concentrate on crucial aspects such as electrical architecture and battery technologies, which are fundamental to the upcoming generation of EVs. The focus will include advanced energy storage systems, battery cell design, cell stack assemblies, and software systems. Freddy Gunnarsson, the cell design manager, emphasized that this area is key to future-proofing the company and providing owners with the exceptional driving and charging experiences expected from modern luxury vehicles.
Furthermore, the remaining positions will cover propulsion, integration of high-voltage architecture, design of electrical system components, and the development of fast-charging technology. Thomas Müller, executive director of product engineering, highlighted the importance of investing in both people and technology to realize the Reimagine strategy. He mentioned that the company is seeking talented individuals to contribute to advancements in propulsion technology, which will be the foundation of JLR’s next-generation luxury vehicles.
These new roles complement the 300 previously announced positions, 100 of which are maintenance technicians responsible for 700 robots at JLR’s new £130 million automated body production facility in Solihull. This facility will boost the production of Range Rover and Range Rover Sport models by 30%. Additionally, these technicians will be trained to work on a new £70 million body production system for the upcoming electric Range Rover.
The other 200 new recruits, a mix of technicians and test engineers, will focus on the future by testing and developing next-generation EVs at the Gaydon Engineering Centre and Whitley powertrain facility. This lineup will start with the electric Range Rover at the end of 2024, followed by three all-new Jaguar models, including a four-door GT in 2025. Both the Range Rover and Jaguar models will be manufactured at the Solihull plant, which, along with the Wolverhampton engine plant and Halewood factory, will be transformed to produce EVs as part of the £15 billion investment.
Andy Street, the mayor of the West Midlands, praised the investment, highlighting the region’s rich automotive history and talented workforce. He expressed gratitude for JLR’s continued commitment to the area and the employment opportunities it brings to residents.
This announcement comes shortly after JLR’s parent company, Tata Motors, confirmed Bridgewater in Somerset as the location for its 40GWh battery plant.
