MSc Aerospace Engineering (18-month route)

Meet Katie Dobson who is working for the Williams Formula 1 team

Katie knew that she wanted to pursue a career in Motor Sport and saw the course at Herts as the perfect pathway to follow her dream.

She is currently an Aerodynamic Design Engineer with the Williams Formula 1 team and explains a bit more about her role and what it entails, ‘I was lucky enough to join Williams F1 as a Junior Aerodynamic Design engineer after completing my MEng in Automotive Engineering with Motorsport at Herts.

My role involves designing mechanical and aerodynamic components for the wind tunnel. I lead the research and development for the wind tunnel front wing design and work closely with the aerodynamicists to improve design concepts and make wind tunnel tests as streamlined as possible.’

Working in Formula 1

Katie really enjoys the challenge of the role and the industry which is fast-paced on all fronts.

‘Working in Formula 1 is very enjoyable and very rewarding when you see results on the track. Seeing Williams back on the podium and scoring points again in 2021 were particular highlights.

I also enjoy the fast-paced environment and continual research and development required to keep up with technology and rules changes.’.

Why Herts

Katie chose to study at Herts because she was impressed with the large range of studies provided by the Engineering department and the range of facilities which provided crucial hands-on experience to work in industry. She adds,  ‘I was particularly impressed with the extra-curricular groups and studies provided by Herts such as the Formula Student team.’

When she talks about the best part of her course she says, ‘It was being able to apply what I had learnt during my A-Levels to further my knowledge of engineering and the knowledge and enthusiasm my lecturers had to further my studies.'

Formula Student

Knowing that hands on practical experience is so important in the industry Katie became a member of the successful Formula Student team at Herts. She is certain that it helped when it came to her career and says, 'Participating in Formula Student particularly aided my ability to gain my current role in industry.

It was able to provide me with this expertise and allow me to broaden my field of study outside of the classroom or lecture hall.’

Favourite memories

Unsurprisingly Katie’s best memories revolve around her experience with the Formula Student Team and the success on and off the track.

‘My favourite memories at Herts were the times spent designing and manufacturing UH19 and UH20 with great friends. My favourite of them being completing at FSUK, FS Czech and FS Germany with the most successful UH FS car of all time as well as winning design at both the UK and Czech competitions.’

The future

Katie has set her sights high when it comes to the future and what it could bring. ‘My future plans are to advance my career further in motorsport, and to hopefully win a Drivers and Constructors Championship in F1.’

Find out more about the Formula Student Team

If you have a great story like Katie's, please contact us!

Meet Lee Stretch who has achieved great success in motorsport engineering since graduating in 2011. He currently works as a Vehicles Dynamic Engineer for Ferrari's Formula One team.

Facilities and experience

Lee made his decision to study at the University of Hertfordshire when he attended an open day, which included a visit to the Formula Student automotive workshop. 'The students had designed and built a single seat racing car which they raced against other universities. It blew me away!' His love of Formula Student became the catalyst for where he is today.

Lee felt the course itself was well rounded, covering all aspects of engineering, with a focus on design, which he enjoyed. Crucial moments of Lee's studies, from submitting his final year project, to designing a racing car in parallel with his full-time sandwich year job, taught him what is possible with determination, and a deadline.

This culminated in second place at Formula Student Germany - the best result ever for a UK team. 'Without these experiences, perhaps I wouldn't have had the guts to move to Italy.' He says, 'I've applied so many of the topics I studied at Herts to my career at Formula One. I regularly find myself reaching for my student notes from five years ago!'

Exciting career

After graduating, Lee worked with Mercedes GP as a Performance Simulation Engineer where he worked with some of the most sophisticated lap simulation tools in the industry. 'It was a very hard three years at Mercedes but equally rewarding, with the 2014 World Championship being the icing on the cake.'

Lee's passion and commitment was recognised by the only other team that he would have considered moving to - Ferrari. Lee moved to Italy and spent time learning Italian. After only six months in the role, he had contributed to next year's cooling system, and continues to develop the team's lap simulation tools. 'To help return Ferrari to the top of Formula One would be a dream come true!'

Despite working in a relatively specialised group of vehicle performance, Lee's role demands sound mechanical understanding, thermodynamics, practical design considerations and even pure mathematics in simulation. 'Communication is paramount, so all the report writing, presentation and team working skills necessary in the final two years of my degree have proved hugely beneficial.'