Michael Norrington

Triumph Profile: Project Engineer

Michael Norrington

Graduated in 2007 with a Beng (hons) in Motorcycle Engineering and Design from Kingston University.

For my placement year, as part of my degree, I chose to apply to Triumph because of the course in which I was enrolled and my love of motorcycles. This was reinforced by the placement package which was provided and the opportunity to work with a diverse range of components, materials and manufacturing processes.
During my placement I found the year both challenging and rewarding, gaining experience in many aspects of engineering and design. At the end of the year Triumph offered me a job to return to after graduating; I gratefully accepted and returned in the summer of 2007.

I returned to an urban sports chassis design team which I was able to work on from the start of the project until completion. Being part of a chassis design team provided me with the sole responsibility for a major area of a new project. Being responsible for the fuel tank, seat and several other smaller components gave me an opportunity to gain experience in many aspects of engineering. Developing these parts through testing and into volume production also allowed me to gain knowledge about the complete project cycle. In addition to the primary task of designing a new model the team was also responsible for supporting an existing model which gave me the opportunity to provide current model support and learn from the different variety of challenges this offered.

During the time I was responsible for the fuel tank design and development I was also part of the fuel tank working group. This group is responsible for the development of best practice standards relating to the design and manufacture of fuel tanks as well as the updating of related in house procedures. It provided me with the opportunity to discuss fuel tank related issue across various projects and models further broadening my individual knowledge as well as the broader knowledge throughout the department. As my areas of responsibility have changed so have the working groups which I am a part of. My current working groups now include the ergonomics working group and the chassis testing working group.

Triumph have been keen to ensure progress in both my professional and personal development, offering advice on MPDS as well as enrolling me on many training courses including advanced CAD, key skills and organisational training. During my time at Triumph I have progressed from a Design Engineer to a Senior Design Engineer to a Project Engineer which is my current position. Each new role has lead to further challenges and opportunities for learning key skills as well as an increased level of responsibility.

This level of responsibility has not only allowed me to broaden my engineering knowledge and experience but it also has required an increased level of communication with all of the departments within Triumph, including purchasing, quality and manufacturing. This, as well as liaising with suppliers, has led to oversees travel including Europe and the Far East. More recently I have accepted a six month secondment to our overseas chassis testing facility. This role will involve liaising between the project teams in the UK, our chassis development engineers and test riders. I am very excited to have been offered this position as it will give me the opportunity to broaden my experience and knowledge regarding the process of setting up and developing a motorcycle chassis and also allow me to experience living in a foreign country.

Triumph has always been willing to provide me with the opportunity to increase my responsibilities which I have found to be an invaluable characteristic of my employment. This has meant that everyday presents new challenges, learning experiences and rewards.

Triumph has grown rapidly since I joined in my placement year and looks set to continue that growth for the long term future. Seeing Triumphs on the road, in the UK as well as abroad and reading the many positive test reports in the motorcycle press provides me with a great sense of achievement. This is reinforced by being part of the remaining UK manufacturing industry.