It might sound strange but think about your route to success. Opt for strong qualifications and by that, I’m not necessarily saying go out and get a degree – there are so many options. I’m a big advocate for the apprenticeship route as a pathway into Engineering. Either way, by choosing relevant qualifications, be that during GCSEs, a degree, or an apprenticeship, you’re giving yourself a solid platform on which to build.
From a childhood love of Lego and Meccano to a career at AP Racing, Steve Young’s interest in engineering stems from an early age. We caught up with Steve to explore what a day in the life of a Principal Engineer looks like and found out some of the proudest moments of his career so far.
Q: Can you tell us about your current role at AP Racing?
A: I am the Principal Engineer for Road Car Engineering where I mainly support the Chief Engineer in running the department. I oversee the management of workload by receiving and prioritising the flow of work into the department and the allocation of tasks to the engineers.
Q: So, what do your day-to-day activities look like?
A: Primarily, managing resources. I’m responsible for controlling the flow of work and keeping projects on track. Alongside providing technical support to the younger members of our team, I also manage the Design Standards and the AP Racing Academy which is our engineer training programme.
Q: What is the most exciting or interesting aspect of your role?
A: For me, it’s seeing our projects through to a successful conclusion. We work with technically demanding prestigious customers who produce high-performance vehicles so it’s particularly special when we’ve introduced new engineering solutions.
Q: What are you most proud of in your career since working at AP Racing?
A: There have been several proud moments but, if I had to pick, there’s a couple that really stand out. The first is the implementation of the AP Racing Engineering Academy which provides training for our junior engineers and colleagues in other areas of the business to help them develop in their roles. The second is more general - working on achieving innovative engineering solutions for our customers. It’s always a little surreal to see our work on the road, especially as the cars are often exclusive.
30
Years at AP Racing
Q: What do you like most about working at AP Racing?
A: Without a doubt, working with the team. It’s the people that make the company an enjoyable and rewarding place to work. Throughout the company, everyone has a genuine will to succeed and are always willing to support and assist and will do so in a friendly manner – well, most of the time anyway!
Q: So, can you tell us a little bit about how you came to work at AP Racing?
A: Growing up, I enjoyed tinkering with Lego and Meccano. To be honest, anything that sat in the sweet spot of design, technology and physics got my interest. With engineering combining all three, it seemed like a sensible choice. My first engineering role was as an apprentice in a highly rated scheme where I gained valuable, hands-on experience alongside earning a recognised qualification. Following this I joined the AP Racing race brakes design team.
Q: What motivates you at work?
A: In short, it’s the challenge that comes with having such a varied role. We work in a technically demanding environment, which often requires quick thinking and problem-solving while continually striving to maintain the brand’s reputation as a world-leading brake and clutch supplier. It can get hectic, but that’s when we thrive!
Q: What do you like to do outside of work?
A: Despite my early years, I no longer spend my time building Lego or Meccano. Instead, I can often be found exploring on my mountain bike or producing my own dance music!
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