Jaguar Land Rover Uses Mixed-Reality App to Recruit Engineers

Gorillaz’ guitarist Noodle, Jaguar Formula E race team and STEM Ambassador, is pictured with the Jaguar I-PACE Concept in the new mixed reality app that serves as a recruitment tool for JLR to test future engineering talent.

Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has virtually stepped up its technical-recruitment game. Literally.

The automaker and virtual band Gorillaz are working together to recruit the next generation of electronics and software engineers with a code-breaking challenge found in the band’s app.

How it works: The best performers within the app will be fast-tracked through the recruitment process, helping JLR brand with its global initiative that aims to recruit more than 1,000 electronic and software engineers to the company’s expanding business. JLR says it is a major change in the way the business looks for candidates, aiming to tackle the engineering skills gap, and inspire and attract a diverse range of talent and new thinking.

Interested applicants can download the Gorillaz App now at the iTunes App Store or Google Play.

On June 19 the Gorillaz App launched a new JLR recruitment area in the form of a 360-degree environment situated in the garage of the band’s home where applicants can explore and take a two-part challenge. The first part, designed to educate users about the benefits of electric vehicles, involves assembling the Jaguar I-PACE Concept, an idea for an electric five-seat sports car. Users can learn about the vehicle’s performance, battery technology, space, charging and range.

According to JLR engineers, the second and more demanding part of the game, "developed to engage and recruit budding electronic wizards and coders," will focus on cracking code in Alternate Reality Game format (ARG). The challenge takes them on a series of code-breaking puzzles that will test their curiosity, persistence, lateral thinking and problem solving skills—all real world attributes of a new generation of software and engineering talent.

“As the automotive industry transforms over the next decade, fuelled by software innovation, we have to attract the best talent and that requires a radical rethink of how we recruit,” said Alex Heslop, JLR’s Head of Electrical Engineering, in a release statement. “Here, we’ve found an engaging way to recruit a diverse talent pool in software systems, cyber systems, app development and graphics performance. It will be the first of its kind.”

Traditional application methods remain open and resumes will be accepted, but JLR invites potential applicants to download the app, break the codes and solve the problems to fast-track their way into employment. To find out more about Jaguar Land Rover recruitment, visit www.jaguarlandrovercareers.com .