DRIVEN TO SUCCEED: MATTHEW'S JOURNEY FROM GRADUATE TO JUNIOR RALLY ENGINEER
- arudd5
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
When you ask most engineers at M-Sport where their passion began, you’ll hear a familiar story about childhood curiosity about the machines behind the sport, late nights watching rally highlights, and the thrill of speed and precision. For Matthew, now a Junior Rally Engineer, that story started the same way: with an early obsession for cars and a drive to turn that passion into a career.
Ignition On: A New Chapter at M-Sport
“My name’s Matthew and I studied Electrical and Mechanical Engineering at the University of Strathclyde,” he begins. “I joined M-Sport in October 2024 as a Graduate Transmissions Engineer.” For Matthew, choosing M-Sport was about more than just finding his first role after university. “I’ve been obsessed with cars since I was a kid. All through my studies, I knew I wanted to work in motorsport,” he says. “When I found M-Sport’s graduate programme, it immediately stood out. The opportunity to work for such a respected name in rallying, in a hands-on engineering environment, in a beautiful part of the country, felt like the perfect fit.”
Building Pace: From Theory to Track
Matthew’s first year at M-Sport has been packed with learning, discovery, and real-world engineering challenges. With a strong background in Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, he was ready to put his degree into action. “My studies gave me a solid foundation in mechanical systems and problem solving, which has been invaluable in understanding how transmissions perform under the extreme demands of rallying,” he explains. Working on his university’s Formula Student car had already sparked his passion for applied engineering and performance development, making the move to M-Sport a natural next step. “Joining M-Sport felt like the perfect progression,” he says. “It’s where you take everything you’ve learned in theory and apply it to real-world motorsport challenges. The team has been incredibly supportive in helping me build on that foundation and grow as an engineer.” That hands-on experience soon turned into unforgettable memories. “It really hit home when I went to watch the Carlisle Stages BRC,” he recalls. “Seeing Romet and Garry fly past in Rally2 cars, and then watching Romet win the event, was incredible. That was the moment I thought, wow, I’m really part of something big here.”
In the Fast Lane: Life at M-Sport
Working in motorsport means adapting, reacting, and constantly improving, and Matthew thrives on that pace. “It’s exciting, fast, and no two days are ever the same,” he says. Following M-Sport’s success on the world stage has also been hugely rewarding. “Watching our cars compete and knowing I’ve played even a small part in that is amazing,” he says. “Seeing Jon and Romet take a 1-2 at Ceredigion was one of my highlights of the year. That’s when all the hard work pays off. Everyone here wants to win, and there’s a real sense of pride in that.”
Shifting Up a Gear: Building a Career with M-Sport
After completing his first year, Matthew moved into the role of Junior Rally Engineer, a reflection of how quickly graduates can grow within M-Sport. “The title is new, but I’m still learning every day,” he explains. “The graduate scheme gave me a foundation, and now I’m building on that by taking on more responsibility and working on more complex projects.” Looking ahead, Matthew is focused on developing his skills and progressing through the ranks. “I’d love to continue growing as an engineer and one day lead a project here,” he says. “It’s a big goal, but being surrounded by so many talented people makes it feel achievable.”
Navigating the Next Stage: Advice for Aspiring Engineers
When it comes to advice, Matthew keeps it simple. “Get as much hands-on experience as you can. It doesn’t have to be directly in motorsport, anything practical and automotive-related helps. Employers want to see curiosity, effort, and initiative. Don’t be afraid to get stuck in and learn by doing.” He adds, “If you’re passionate about motorsport and ready to learn, M-Sport is the perfect place to start your career. You’ll be challenged, supported, and surrounded by people who share that same drive to be the best. You don’t just learn at M-Sport, you live engineering every day.”
Matthew’s journey captures what the M-Sport Graduate Programme is all about: passion, progress, and performance. For graduates who want to see their engineering come alive on the world stage and be part of a team that never stops pushing forward, M-Sport is where careers go full throttle.
