Susan Vuoriaro, Operations Director in Finland
- What is your academic background and why did you choose it? I have a Bachelor of Business administration with an accounting major, however I never worked in Finance.
- Can you tell us about your career and your position today? When I joined UTAC in 1998, previously Test World, I started working with the winter driving training coordination and then moved to the track coordination from a Sales point of view. I worked many years as Sales Manager before moving to Operations. Since 2015, I am Operations Director in Finland.
Over the years, I have gained lots of experience in the automotive industry, particularly in managing track and facility rentals for customers and developing business in that area. Through this, I have built strong technical knowledge, understanding why customers require specific facilities and services. Today, my main focus is on overseeing customer operations as well as managing our own test services, handling and directing daily activities at our two Finnish proving grounds.
- Why did you choose to pursue your career in automotive industry? I’ve always been passionate about cars, especially historic American models, that I enjoy driving during the summer. Since childhood, I’ve been drawn to speed and mechanics, I even dreamed of becoming a fighter pilot like my father. However, at the time, women in Finland were not yet allowed to join the military. This desire for speed and progress has shaped my mindset and naturally led me to the automotive industry, where I always continue to move forward.
- How do you contribute to a safer and cleaner future? In my position, I lead projects that promote environmentally friendly practices and improve sustainability. For example, we ensure that no waste goes to landfills, everything is either recycled or used for energy recovery, such as heating. Given our cold environment, we are also highly conscious of electricity consumption and actively communicate with our staff on ways to reduce energy use. Additionally, our customers are working on developing more eco-friendly materials, including alternatives to natural rubber in tyre compounds, contributing to a cleaner and more sustainable future.
- One final word? I would like to encourage women, to consider a career in the automotive industry. It’s a fascinating field with diverse opportunities in research, testing, development, and innovation, it’s not just about driving cars! Women bring valuable perspectives and practical thinking, which are essential for creating cleaner and safer mobility solutions. There is so much potential to contribute and make a difference, even in a traditionally male-dominated sector.
Amy Murdock, Principal Engineer in Vehicle Measurement in the UK
- What is your academic background and why did you choose it? My degree background is in Ergonomics and Human Factors, although I initially branched into Engineering during my placement year at University. A key moment in my journey was attending a lecture on crash testing, I found it fascinating and decided I wanted to be part of that field. While researching crash testing facilities, I came across UTAC, which was Millbrook at the time, and applied for a placement there in 2017.
I completed my placement year at the company, really enjoyed the experience, and later returned for the graduate scheme. Through the rotational program, I explored various departments before ultimately choosing to specialise in Vehicle Measurement, where I continue to work today.
- Can you tell us about your career and your position today? I am currently a Principal Engineer in Vehicle Measurement, specialising in Human Factors and Advanced Driver Assistance System testing. My role is very varied, which is something I really enjoy as there’s always something new to be involved in. I have two main aspects to my job: leading ADAS test delivery in the UK and managing a small team.
Our ADAS testing covers both regulatory and developmental work. Some customers request standard tests, while others require custom solutions that go beyond typical procedures. In those cases, we help them figure out the best way to conduct their tests using our facilities and tracks.
One other great aspect of my job is working with a wide range of vehicles, from passenger cars to buses and trucks. Overall, my role is centred on delivering high-quality testing, contributing to the development and capabilities of our department and advancing ADAS technology.
- Why did you choose to pursue your career in automotive industry? I’ve always had an interest in cars growing up, it was a part of my family life, from visiting car museums to servicing my own vehicle. I’d never intentionally set out to work in the automotive industry, I simply followed what I enjoyed and it naturally led me here.
Now, I have a job that allows me to spend time out on track, drive exciting cars, and contribute to making the roads a safer place. It’s an exciting field, especially with the future technologies we get to work with and witness firsthand.
- How do you contribute to a safer and cleaner future? My work in active safety is directly focused on making the roads a safer place. In addition, I represent UTAC in an advisory group for a British Standards Institute (BSI) Flex and am UTAC’s technical lead for Transport for London Bus Safety Standard testing.
Contributing to these initiatives is something I really enjoy because it allows me to be actively involved in driving the future of automotive safety. Recently, one of the standards I helped develop was officially published, which was rewarding to see, knowing that my work is making a real impact.
- One final word? As a woman in Engineering, I recognise that there are challenges while it remains a male-dominated field. However, it’s a great career path with many opportunities. While it may not always be encouraged or talked about enough in schools, I truly believe that women have a lot to contribute and gain from this industry.
I would encourage everyone to explore engineering because their skills, perspectives, and ideas are invaluable in shaping the future of automotive technology.