Title:  Quality Improvement Technician (undergraduate placement) - Carlisle, UK

Pirelli is an international group with a global brand presence, and is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of high performance tyres. Pirelli are also leaders in various forms of motorsport such as Formula 1 and the World Superbike. We supply tyres to many of the world’s major Motor brands such as Jaguar Land Rover, Porsche, Range Rover, Lamborghini, Bentley and Aston Martin to name a few.

Pirelli UK Tyres Ltd is the company responsible for all of the Pirelli Tyre related operations in the UK. For more information please visit www.pirelli.co.uk

A 12 month placement is available within our Quality Department. This role involves the improvement of processes to reduce waste and improve process capability.

A project will be identified during the placement and a mentor to provide support in learning and development. Assistance will be provided in finding appropriate accommodation, but financial assistance for accommodation will not be given. Student must have a valid work permit/visa for the UK.

The opportunity is based at our site in Carlisle, Cumbria.

Main duties include:

• Working as part of a team or as an individual on projects that lead to the reduction of waste across the tyre production process
• Collection and analysis of data in order to identify root causes
• Engaging with all levels of the organisation to identify opportunities for improvements
• Reporting of project status to all levels of the organisation
• Working in an office and factory environment

Student insight on the role:

My role in Pirelli is currently providing me with a great experience. Every day is different, with new challenges and problems being presented throughout numerous on-going projects. Within these projects, along with the quality team, we continually collect data and try to resolve these. One of the interesting projects, which I currently champion, involves running a variety of tests on tyres to ensure they meet the required specifications. Due to the new system I have introduced, the company is able to save these tyres; which may have been previously scrapped, and implement preventive measures, which saves the company a minimum of £500 of scrap per day.

My role has also been enjoyable, as it broadens my insight into what it means to be an engineer in the industry, especially a PQE (Process Quality Engineer). It has been very different from my course content, which was more focused on the technical calculations behind how materials are made, and now I am expanding this knowledge and learning about the capabilities of machines and process quality/ efficiency. I believe I have benefitted, because my role has developed me as a more rounded engineer, with new found skills in data collection and analysis.

My role has also been a great test and has challenged me, as it has helped me build and improve on various skill sets, such as:

• Organisational Skill: This has improved greatly, as my role requires me to keep all my separate projects running; with the data collection and analysis that has to be done. So I have to organise my time and workload efficiently, to ensure that I keep on top of all my on-going tasks.
• Prioritising skill: This has been developed as a result of my placement, as stated earlier; I have various on-going tasks, with different levels of importance, where I must decide which tasks to focus on and when, in order to get my work done in a timely and efficient manner.

In addition to all of this, I have also been taught industry standard techniques such as:

• Six sigma techniques and calculations: which I personally use in an on-going capability study with another team member. This will be expanded on throughout many different machines.
• Kaizen Methodology: Continual collection of data on foreign body, scrap produced and analysis of data to identify areas of improvement throughout the factory.

Most importantly, I have received a lot of support throughout my placement from the team with whom I am involved. Everyone is always willing to help and especially because of the team moral we have, everyone wants to help each other. So I have had as much support as I would ever need.

I would definitely recommend the role to another student, as it would enable them to acquire knowledge in various universal engineering techniques, such as six sigma and kaizen methodology. It will also give them a good head start on the professional ladder upon the completion of their placement and studies.

These are some of the things that a placement at Pirelli can provide. Are you ready to be challenged?

Our requirements:

• High level of general education, with appropriate engineering or scientific background
• Excellent IT skills, with a good level of understanding and experience of MS Office (especially Excel) - Training will be provided where required
• Self-motivated to deliver results
• Good communication, organisational and team working skills
• Flexible and adaptable to change
• Understanding of statistical analysis techniques - Training will be provided where required
• Visual Basic programming experience - Training will be provided where required
• Experience in an industrial environment

Employee benefits include:

• 33 days holiday per year (inclusive of bank holidays)
• Pension scheme with linked life insurance
• Employee discount scheme
• Employee assistance programme
• Discounted tyre vouchers

The successful candidate must, by the commencement of employment, have the right to work in the UK. 

Applications close 31.12.2024.