LJMU e-Racing team careers
The LJMU e-Racing Team is the place to develop your talent. Whether you’re an aspiring engineer, a budding designer, or a skilled marketer, everyone is welcome.
Joining the team allows you to put what you’re learning during your degree into practice. You’ll also gain practical skills and hands-on experience that can set you apart from the competition.
You’ll meet like-minded students from around the world. This helps you build an international network that could be invaluable after graduation.
Employers use participation in activities such as Formula Student to identify potential employees.
Success in this competition raises our university's profile both nationally and internationally and demonstrates the quality of our graduates.
Professor Ian Jenkinson
Director of the University's Department of Maritime and Mechanical Engineering
Meet our alumni
Robert Wild (2012 to 2013)
Robert Wild is a Mechanical Design Engineer who was named the 2016 UK Nuclear Graduate of the Year.
He began his career at Sellafield, where he spent more than a decade. He later moved into his current role as Mechanical Engineering Capability Lead at Amentum.
Robert first joined the LJMU Racing Team as a general assistant, eager to help wherever he could. By the time he left, he was joint Team Manager. He worked with four others to oversee every stage of designing, building, and racing a single-seater car.
In 2012, the team competed in Spain, where Robert took on the accelerator test, pushing the car from 0 to 60 in just four seconds.
Today, he plays a key role in guiding the next generation of engineers as Head Business Judge at Formula Student UK. His journey has come full circle, from competitor to judge.
I work with people from the best universities in the world and students from LJMU stand toe-to-toe with them. We actually blow other graduates out of the water.
Robert Wild
LJMU graduate
Thomas Byrne (2010 to 2013)
Thomas Byrne began his studies at LJMU in 2007 with a degree in Computer Aided Design, followed by a master’s in Engineering Design.
During this time, he spent three years with the LJMU Racing Team, producing CAD designs for the race car. He served as Build Manager in 2012.
After completing his postgraduate studies, he joined LJMU as a Senior Technician. He has spent more than 13 years supporting and guiding the next generation of engineers.
He manages a specialist laboratory and oversees more than 25 3D printing machines within the Engineering department. His expertise lies in computer aided engineering (CAE) and software such as SolidWorks.
Alongside his regular university work, Thomas takes on external projects for SMEs and LMNs. He helps with prototype component manufacturing and offers design and process advice.
He also supports teaching on the Product Design Engineering course. He regularly volunteers his time for open days and school outreach events. He also attends the annual trip to Silverstone, where he assists students on the LJMU e-Racing Team.
Formula Student is a great place for the students to learn teamwork skills as well as learning from their mistakes in a safe manner.
Thomas Byrne
LJMU graduate
Rhian Griffith (2012 to 2015)
Rhian Griffith graduated from LJMU in 2015 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. During her time at university, she was an active member of the LJMU Racing Team, taking on the role of Team Manager in her final year.
Under her leadership, the team achieved one of its best results at the Formula Student event. They finished 11th overall and 4th among UK universities at Silverstone.
After graduating, Rhian went on to work in engineering with the Small Robot Company. In 2022, she returned to meet the LJMU e-Racing Team and record a special edition of the 1823 podcast. She shared her experiences and insights with current students as the team transitioned to electric racing.
Rhian now works as a Freelance Mechanical Engineer and volunteered as a Formula Student Business Judge in 2024.
The knowledge gained from Formula Student is priceless. The year I spent as team manager was one of the hardest but most rewarding challenges I’ve ever taken on.
Even now in my career I draw on experience from my time with the LJMU Racing Team.
Rhian Griffith
LJMU graduate
Zhivko Staynov (2010 to 2013)
Zhivko Staynov completed his master’s degree in Automotive Engineering at LJMU in 2013. From his very first day at university until graduation, he played a central role in the LJMU Racing team’s activities and achievements.
In 2010, Zhivko was appointed Team Leader, guiding the LJMU Racing Team to its second entry at Formula Student UK. This year was the first-ever international entry at Formula Student Germany.
Under his leadership, the team delivered great results, outperforming many more experienced competitors. After graduating, Zhivko joined Aston Martin Lagonda, where he spent seven years in a range of engineering and strategic roles. His positions included Process Co-ordinator, Physics Engineer, Powertrain Strategy Leader, and Programme Leader. This gave him broad experience across engineering and product development.
In late 2019, Zhivko joined Lotus Cars as a Programme Manager. He spent the next five years helping to shape the company’s next-generation BEV platform. He returned to Aston Martin in 2024, taking on the role of Head of Product Creation Process and Governance.
Without a doubt, Formula Student is the best thing outside my core university hours that I could have possibly been involved in.
My whole career to date is heavily influenced by the experience I gained through this project.
I urge every student studying relevant subjects to join their university’s Formula Student team, as the project truly develops all the key skills employers are looking for.
Zhivko Staynov
LJMU graduate
Louise Fielding (2018 to 2020)
Louise Fielding studied Control and Automation Engineering at LJMU from 2016 to 2020. This included a placement year at Jaguar Land Rover.
She spent two years with the LJMU E-Racing Team, supporting the Class 2 concept for the first electric race car in 2018. In 2019 and 2020, she served as Head of Electrical.
After graduating, Louise joined Jaguar Land Rover’s (JLR) graduate programme as a Systems Engineer. She developed and delivered energy management strategies for 12V systems across several vehicle lines.
After five years, she moved on to roles at EV start-up Forseven and McLaren Automotive. She now works on high-voltage (HV) energy management and EV charging systems.
Her work includes developing high-voltage safety strategies, designing and testing power optimisation solutions. She also carries out vehicle-level testing as a trained High Voltage Senior Authorised Person.
Since leaving university, Louise has achieved IEng status with the IMechE. She continues to support Formula Student as an EV scrutineer, having built on her early experience with the LJMU E-Racing Team.
Joining the Formula Student team gave me the opportunity to push my skills outside of my degree with a supportive team around me.
Louise Fielding
LJMU graduate
Chris Jones (2011 to 2015)
Chris Jones has built a career that bridges engineering and strategic transport leadership. From 2011 to 2015, he studied a Master’s in Electrical and Electronics Engineering at LJMU. During this time, he took part in LJMU’s Formula Student Racing Team, where he co-led electrical design and raced as a driver.
After graduating, Chris joined M-Sport, working on the Ford World Rally Team. He designed and tested electrical systems for high-performance vehicles such as the Fiesta RS WRC and Bentley GT3. This allowed him to gain invaluable experience in fast-paced engineering environments.
Chris joined Transport for London, working on major projects including the Northern Line Extension and Crossrail. His roles spanned from Graduate Electrical Engineer to Signalling Engineer. He also became Advisor to the Director of Engineering, helping shape London’s transport network.
At the Department for Transport, Chris worked across national programmes and policy. He led the commercial strategy for Southern Access to Heathrow. He also coordinated the Government’s Global Travel Taskforce during the pandemic, and guided policy on Retained EU Law and legislative strategy.
In 2025, he became Strategy and Business Delivery Lead at Heathrow Express. This role involves driving long-term business planning, capital delivery, and customer experience.
Alongside his career, Chris spent a year teaching in Japan with the JET Programme.
To this day he remains passionate about mentoring future engineers. He actively promotes innovative, evidence-based approaches to public transport.
Formula Student gave me the opportunity to put the theory from my lectures into practice. It also allowed me to travel around Europe and gave me real-world engineering experience that set me up for a career in the modern, competitive world.
Chris Jones
LJMU graduate