Matthew Leatt-Hayter

Matthew Leatt-Hayter

What do you do on a daily basis?
A typical day for me starts with a daily project start up, involving all relevant Engineers up to the Chief Program Engineer. This allows the team to highlight any major issues that need addressing as a priority. My current role involves liaising with both internal and external stakeholders, which requires a number of technical design reviews to discuss design, validation and delivery of parts - this takes a number of hours daily. A key part of being an Engineer is having a fundamental understanding of the system(s) you are working on, so I like to regularly ensure I spend time monitoring vehicle builds, and testing the systems I work on.

How did you get into your role?
I got into my role through the Graduate rotation scheme. I'm currently in my third and final rotation, which means I'm able to offer a lot more experience on the job. It is quite rewarding looking back to when I started in 2015 and seeing how much I have learned and the challenges I have overcome. The rotation based scheme allows young Engineers to gain a wide range of knowledge across the company, which is crucial for your development.

What did you study at university and how has this helped you in your role?
I studied Chemical Engineering at the University of Western Australia, which is different to the majority of automotive engineers. This has been advantageous when working with electric vehicles, as I tend to have a fundamental understanding of the cell chemistry, and how that relates to vehicle range, and power. A lot of the skills required to be a professional engineer are soft skills too, which are picked up regardless of an engineering major.

What do you enjoy most about working in your sector?
The automotive industry is in an exciting period, with rapid development of electric / hybrid vehicles and autonomous vehicles. Ensuring that we lower global emissions has become a priority within the industry, and it is great being at the forefront of ensuring vehicles meet customer expectations. People now are expecting vehicles with more features, and power, with lower emissions and cost, which presents many challenges.

What's the hardest part of your role?
Managing my responsibilities and ensuring all issues get the appropriate amount of attention and time.

How has your role developed?
Electrified Powertrain Engineering has taken off over the last few years, and the team at Dunton is rapidly expanding. The public demand for electrification has driven the integration of hybrid powertrains into many existing vehicle lines, which requires engineers from different backgrounds to work together to solve exciting new problems.

Any advice for others wanting to do this job?
It's definitely helpful having an understanding of the different types of electric vehicles various manufacturers produce, whether that be full hybrid, battery electric, PHEV, and the advantages / disadvantages of each. Make sure you seize all the opportunities that are offered to you, and most importantly enjoy yourself!

What do you most enjoy about being a Ford employee?
It's hard to put a finger on one thing I enjoy most. Being at the forefront of automotive innovation is always quite exciting, as are the people I work around on a daily basis. Ford offers it's employs a range of benefits and opportunities, and it's great being able to take on as much as possible.