Bentley Motors are sponsors of the 2025 Formula Student competition, to find out about opportunities to join their team, visit the Careers section of the Bentley Motors website.
Can you introduce yourself and about your decision to pursue an engineering career?
Jenny Falkner: Sure - I'm Jenny, I’m 32 years old and I moved from Germany to the UK two years ago to join Bentley as an Infotainment Engineer. Coming from PSW (a subsidiary of AUDI), I already had project experience and was excited to bring that into my new role.
I’m not your typical engineer. My journey started in journalism – I studied it in Germany and worked as a freelance writer and PR manager for motorsport teams across Europe. I handled media, social media, press releases, and even team coordination at events like the 24h races in Le Mans and Nürburgring. My passion for fast cars was always there. At Le Mans in 2015, I sat down with engineers to understand technical updates for a press release – and that moment sparked a shift. I decided to go back to university and study automotive engineering. Three and a half years later, I earned my degree – and never looked back.
My current role focuses on a sub-ECU of the main infotainment ECU, that enables third-party app downloads (e.g. Spotify, YouTube) and user personalisation features like rearranging or grouping of apps. I am the main responsible for this ECU for the markets EU and NAR. I’m involved in everything from reviewing specs and discussing user interface/experience (UI/UX) concepts with design, to planning software releases, coordinating with suppliers, and supporting quality and whole vehicle integration. From development to BMG release – I’m part of the whole journey. It combines creativity with the practical, technical solutions - and that’s what I love.
That is an interesting path into engineering, kudos to you for your determination to retrain in a new field! How have you found being an engineer at Bentley?
Jenny Falkner: Bentley truly has a unique culture. People are friendly, collaborative, and open. It feels like a community – or even a family – and I’ve made great friends here. I appreciate the openness, the support, and the ability to voice ideas without fear. It’s a relaxed but focused atmosphere, and that balance makes all the difference.
Of course, there are cultural differences and, as with anything, being part of Volkswagen Group has benefits and challenges. Coming from a German work environment, my impatience sometimes shows when things aren’t progressed as effectively as they could be – but I’ve also learned that strong personal connections make a big difference. Overall though, Bentley is a place that fosters creativity and values contribution.
Adjusting to a new language and culture hasn’t always been easy either, but I’ve found my place – and I love what I do. Bentley offers so many opportunities to get involved, take responsibility, and grow – if you want to. And I definitely do!
Speaking of variety opportunities, I heard you recently led a project that was something very new to you - can you tell us more about it?
Jenny Falkner: Certainly! A few weeks ago, I received a call from my manager asking if I’d like to support a training session organised for the UK Retailer Network. I immediately said yes – and was genuinely excited. It felt like a chance to show that women in engineering can be visible, confident, and respected voices in technical spaces.
Neil was leading the three-day training programme and asked me to deliver a “Technology Workshop”. He encouraged me to shape the content to be hands-on, engaging, and educational. I created a short PowerPoint, prepped the vehicle, and updated the infotainment systems with the latest software (main unit, sub infotainment ECU, instrument cluster, and rear-seat systems).
Each day included three workshops – mine ran for about an hour. I guided the UK retailer salespeople through the myBentley App Studio journey, explained the technical background, and introduced them to the world of R&D – how we work, what we do, and our current focus areas.
The highlight was the practical session. Participants got to explore features first-hand – from downloading Spotify to grouping apps into folders, pairing their phones with the rear screens, and playing videos. Some tasks were surprisingly tricky, but the enthusiasm was infectious. We laughed, learned, and explored the tech together. I’m proud I could share infotainment knowledge that can now be passed on to Bentley customers. I was a bit nervous at first – especially with English being my second language – but the warm and open atmosphere quickly put me at ease. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive and left me feeling proud, motivated, and grateful to have supported Neil and his team.
Well done for seizing the opportunity, sounds like you smashed it! Have you got any final words on your journey (so far!) in engineering?
Jenny Falkner: Sure - at risk of pointing out the elephant in the room, working in a male-dominated field and industry can be challenging. Women often have to prove themselves more than their male colleagues, and it can take longer to gain respect and unconscious biases still exist. But over time, I’ve found my footing. Today, I feel valued, respected, and able to bring my honest, direct style to the table. Being emotionally driven is often seen as a weakness – but I disagree. Emotions show you care. They bring passion, commitment, and motivation. They help me go the extra mile. I believe in equality, and for me, being part of one Bentley family provides me with a sense of belonging and purpose. I also recognise how important visibility and representation is – especially to inspire the next generation of engineers.