Abigail Robison
- Subject area
- Mechanical, Electrical and Manufacturing Engineering
I was first recommended Loughborough University for engineering by a family member. I then visited for the first time during a Smallpiece Trust Headstart week while I was doing my A-levels. I instantly fell in love with the place. It had such a positive vibe and although I wasn’t particularly “sporty” at the time, it inspired me to want to be. After applying, I toured other Universities but none came close to Loughborough in terms of campus atmosphere or the engagement from the teaching staff.
I originally planned to study Mechanical Engineering with a vague goal of joining Formula 1. Thanks to the exceptional admissions team at Wolfson School of Engineering at Loughborough, where I felt like a name and not just a number, I was introduced to a more fitting course for my skill set and interests. From the start, I got the sense that Loughborough would challenge me but also provide the support I needed and that turned out to be absolutely true.
The Product Design Engineering course at Loughborough helped me because the skills and technical knowledge I gained during my course were invaluable. Product Design Engineering (PDE) provided a strong foundation for any engineering role due to its broad and general focus. The course equipped me with a well-rounded knowledge base, enabling me to approach problems from various perspectives, ensuring I graduated with a versatile, multi-dimensional approach to engineering. Also, the course projects helped to boost my confidence in both technical and soft skills, including teamwork, leadership, organisation and analysis. Additionally, my tutor supported an unconventional dissertation topic, giving me the freedom to explore a niche subject, which allowed me to develop a unique skill set that that helped me stand out in the competitive Formula 1 field.
At Loughborough, the quality of teaching and facilities are outstanding. I never wanted for anything during my time at Loughborough; there was always someone to help me and I always had access to the equipment I needed to succeed. It’s the little things that you just don't have to worry about that make the big difference. Having access to the right software, or an appropriate study space, makes such a difference and my lecturers always went above and beyond to make sure I succeeded.
My involvement in sport also had a significant impact, teaching me how to build successful teams and handle failures constructively.
I initially aspired to become a Design Engineer but my placement year at Williams Racing was invaluable in helping me refine my engineering skills and discover which roles best aligned with my interests and abilities. Therefore, after graduating from Loughborough with a first-class degree, I secured a position as an Operations Graduate at McLaren Racing, a role I could not have achieved without the support and education from Loughborough.
When the graduate scheme became available, I found that I had a solid base of knowledge in all the required areas. This was a huge relief and reinforced the value that companies, including F1 teams, place on the topics taught in Product Design Engineering.
This rotation-based graduate scheme focused on the Operations Division, where I was mostly placed in the Car Build group and Race Logistics. In these roles, I applied my engineering knowledge and project management skills to support car builds ahead of races, particularly utilising the additional skills I gained from the optional modules from the final two years of my degree called: Organisation Structure & Strategy, Advanced Manufacturing Processes & Technology, Sports Engineering, Manufacturing Planning & Control.
The graduate opportunity in Formula 1 presented numerous challenges but equipped me with invaluable knowledge and expertise from working closely with my team and colleagues. The most rewarding part was proving to myself that I could work in an industry like Formula 1, for a team I’ve always dreamed of joining. The learning and development never stopped and every step I took to advance my skills made me a better engineer – something I believe we all strive for.
After completing my graduate role, I now work as a Reliability Engineer at McLaren Racing. My current role focuses on two key areas of improvement. Part of the year, I am trackside, where I address issues reactively as they arise. The rest of the time, I work at our factory in Woking, proactively preventing problems from recurring or emerging in the first place. Our team’s core mantra is, "Our car must not stop on track," and everything we do is driven by this goal. In terms of issue identification and resolution, my team collaborates across all areas of the business—from Aero and Design to Manufacturing, Final Build, and Trackside Operations. This makes my role diverse, combining both a strong human element and the need for technical expertise. Both aspects are skills that the PDE course helped me to develop.
As a woman in the engineering industry, it's important to recognise that choosing this field often means being one of a few in the room and feeling comfortable with that. This sense of independence is valuable in the industry, as well as being able to stand alone at times. Personally, I don’t see myself as a “female engineer.” I am simply an engineer focused on doing my best.
Loughborough has inspired me to never give up. Getting into Loughborough University was a great achievement in itself but to complete those five years and graduate with first-class honours was a dream come true. Now, working for McLaren Racing, I couldn't have reached without the support of the incredible team behind me, something you can only experience at a place like Loughborough University!