At Knorr-Bremse, our Management Evolution Program (MEP) is designed to cultivate the next generation of leaders. Our trainee program is a great place to start your career in Industrial Engineering. Meet Laura Hajek, an ambitious young professional from Cologne, Germany, who is thriving in her MEP journey. Currently based in Getafe, Spain, Laura is leading an innovative project within the Rail Vehicle Systems division. Discover what a typical day looks like for her!
Laura's academic background is in Industrial Engineering.
Laura Hajek, a current MEP trainee, studied Industrial Engineering at RWTH Aachen University, where she earned both her Bachelor's and Master's degrees. She began her professional career in industrial consulting and later transitioned to a software startup. However, seeking a role with deeper engagement, she discovered the Knorr-Bremse MEP program, which aligned perfectly with her aspirations. She joined Knorr-Bremses’ MEP in September 2023. Her first project took her to Munich, where she worked in the electronics purchasing department of the Truck division. Now, she’s in Getafe, Spain, tackling her second project, which focuses on innovative technologies for joining copper pipes in train HVAC units.
What project is Laura working on as a trainee at Knorr-Bremse?
For MEP trainees, there are a wide range of opportunities across the company to work on projects involving various regions, areas, and technical challenges. Laura's project involves, as briefly described above, the analysis, benchmarking, and validation of different technologies for joining copper pipes—an essential but costly and intricate step in the manufacturing process. Coordinating with a team of six core members from various departments, including industrial engineering, new climate, production, R&D, quality, and purchasing. The Getafe plant has approximately 400 employees.
What does a typical workday for Laura look like during her MEP project?
07:30
Laura begins her day with a 30-minute drive from Central Madrid to the Getafe plant. Living in Madrid allows her to explore the vibrant city during her free time, making the commute enjoyable.
08:00
Upon arriving at the office, Laura checks her emails and daily schedule, ensuring her tasks are prioritized for the day ahead.
09:00
Team collaboration is a key aspect of Laura’s role. She attends a weekly team meeting where her interdisciplinary project team discusses the progress of their initiative and plans next steps. The meetings are an opportunity to challenge ideas and explore innovative solutions together.
10:00
Coffee breaks are a time for Laura to connect with her colleagues from the industrial engineering team. Despite the language barrier, they enjoy teaching her new Spanish words, adding a fun element to their interactions.
11:00
Laura meets with her project supervisor, Héctor Sumillera, for a one-on-one session. Together, they discuss some upcoming workshops and review a presentation Laura prepared. Hector helps Laura keep on track and assists in navigating any project uncertainties that she might have.
11:30
Laura’s team are in the middle of a technical feasibility study, so Laura gathers her notes and 3D models of the HVAC units and heads to the shop floor with her colleagues from the new climate team. She analyzes and examines various brazing joints on the copper pipes, aiming to reduce the complexity of this project step and identify new solutions for permanent joints.
14:00
It's lunchtime! Laura usually brings her own food and enjoys her meal outside with colleagues, embracing the Spanish culture of late lunches.
15:00
The afternoon is spent preparing for calls and summarizing the information gathered during the morning's study.
15:30
Laura coordinates with a supplier to plan a workshop and manufacture a mock-up for technical validation. This involves aligning efforts and timelines to ensure the project’s success.
16:30
The rest of the afternoon, Laura works on developing the business case for the project. This involves synthesizing and integrating the valuable feedback and data received from various departments. Incorporating these insights not only strengthens the rationale behind the project but also enhances its strategic alignment with Knorr-Bremse’s overarching goals.
17:15
As the day wraps up, Laura heads out to play padel with some colleagues. Padel is a hugely popular sport in Spain, and there are courts all around the city. After the game, they relax with a refreshing drink before Laura makes her way back home.
What's next for Laura Hajek?
After completing her current project, Laura Hajek will be rotating to the next one at Knorr-Bremse Bendix in Ohio, USA, where she'll take on project management responsibilities within the steering department. This new role will allow her to gain fresh insights, expand her skill set, and contribute to innovative solutions in a different environment. This example illustrates the variety of opportunities available to MEPs, enabling them to work on projects that span different regions, departments, and technical challenges.
Info
What is Knorr-Bremses’ Management Evolution Program (MEP)?
- 18 months divided into three challenging projects (6 months in different divisions, departments and countries)
- Program individually tailored to your interests and competencies
- Flexible start dates
- International experience through at least one project abroad
- Development of a company-wide network
- Professional & personal development supported by training, an individual development plan and a mentor
- Be taken on in a permanent role upon completion of the program
You can find more information about the MEP in our Career website .
What makes this trainee program at Knorr-Bremse so special for Laura?
Laura particularly values the comprehensive training and the opportunity to engage with the community of current and former MEP participants. Through rotation across different locations, you get to meet many people within the company and expand your personal network. “It’s the best way to start with the company because you can get oriented while still working on significant projects,” says Laura Hajek.
“The program is ideal for anyone who wants to figure out their exact career direction or prepare for a successful career path within the company. It offers the chance to try out different jobs and functions, experience various countries and teams, and learn to adapt flexibly. The experience of quickly acclimating to new cultures is also very valuable,” Laura emphasizes.
“MEP at Knorr-Bremse is highly customizable. By choosing different projects and countries, you can tailor the program to your own career goals.” Laura’s conclusion: “It’s great for anyone looking to explore an international business environment and take a step towards a management career.”
Looking back, she says: “From the start, everything was very well organized, and I was able to get going in Spain right away, even though the project was new there. At Knorr-Bremse, you learn how a large international company operates and gain fantastic experiences. Plus, you get the chance to work with really great people.”