Shaping Porsche: the electric drive development engineer
The vehicle engineer who not only develops important innovations for electric drive systems but also works as a student supervisor and mentor
Composite CGI image of Porsche employee working in electric drive engineering
Ilaggija Gnanananthan started as an engineering intern at Porsche and today develops electric drive innovations as well as acting as a student supervisor and mentor
The job insight series, Shaping Porsche, chronicles Porsche people and the many different roles they play at the company – people who create dream cars who are dreamers themselves. Like so many, Porsche plays a huge role in the life of Ilaggija Gnanananthan. The electric drive development engineer started as an intern but now helps create innovative products that are central to the company’s electric cars. Not only that, Ilaggija acts as a student supervisor and mentor and serves as volunteer firefighter at the Weissach Development Center. She also explains how Porsche has encouraged her to learn a new language to help communicate with suppliers in the Far East.What do you do at Porsche, Ilaggija?“I’ve been working as a development engineer for electric drives [on the current Taycan and future electric models] for almost six years now, after studying engineering in Stuttgart and then onto an internship at Porsche. I’m responsible for a component called the pulse inverter, which is the heart and brain of the entire electric drive system. “Every single electric Porsche driver feels the effects of my work when they press the accelerator pedal, whether they’re driving the Taycan Turbo GT or as they will in the future in one of the upcoming Porsche electric models.”
Woman and man inspect the electric drivetrain of a Porsche
After studying mechanical engineering at university and embarking on an internship at Porsche, Ilaggija Gnanananthan has worked as a development engineer for electric drives at the company since 2019 Photo: Porsche
When did you join Porsche? “I studied classical mechanical engineering in Stuttgart and then entered an internship at Porsche working on our V8 engine. At the end of my studies, I had become really curious about the electric drive system because it was a new era for Porsche. At the time, the Taycan was also brand new and a huge project. After my studies I ended up working on electric drives, which I have been doing ever since. With so many new models being developed, there are always new requirements for engineers and plenty of new challenges every day. It certainly is never boring!”Why is working at Porsche your dream job? “Porsche really is my dream company to work for. It gives me such an exciting feeling. Every morning, when I wake up, I’m genuinely motivated to drive to Weissach [home to the Porsche Development Center, considered the ‘birthplace’ of every new Porsche model]. That’s because I know I’m contributing to something that customers can truly experience the moment they get behind the wheel, just as I do when I start my car in the morning.“The world is changing rapidly, of course, bringing new demands, new desires, new challenges. And it’s my dream to translate those changing demands, challenges and desires – the wishes of the customer – directly into the car. There’s always something to look forward to.”What motivates you each day?“One of the best things for me is that Porsche is a relatively small company compared to the mass automotive manufacturers, but one that creates these really super sportscars, which means that everyone who works for Porsche has a huge responsibility. The feeling of being free to develop the vehicle to its maximum speed motivates me. As I mentioned, it’s never boring and you always, in one sense, have your foot on the accelerator pedal.” Would you say Porsche is a big part of your life? “For me, it feels like working for Porsche is like working for your family. It really fits well into my work/life balance. But it plays a big role in my life in other ways. For example, I also work as an auxiliary fire fighter for Porsche too, supporting the full-time fire fighters who are on stand-by when needed at the Weissach Development Center.“I also have a huge passion for my work as a student supervisor and mentor at Porsche too. I visit universities as an ambassador as well as attending events like Formula Student Germany (a design and engineering competition where students develop and present racing cars of their own design) in order to share my experiences with up-and-coming engineers.”
Woman in white suit with arms crossed
As well as her duties developing innovations for electric drive systems, Ilaggija works as an auxiliary firefighter for Porsche at the Weissach Development Center Photo: Porsche
What role does mentoring play in your work at Porsche?“Supporting young talent is something I care deeply about – it’s not a task, it’s a calling. I’ve been mentoring students at Porsche for years, and every time I see a young engineer take their first step with curiosity and spark, I see a reflection of myself – like an uncut diamond, full of potential.“Taking part in events like Formula Student Germany, giving talks at universities and staying in touch long after internships are over is important because, to me, mentoring means more than teaching skills – it means passing on values, belief and the courage to grow.“Helping someone recognise their own brilliance – and watching them step into it – is one of the most rewarding parts of what I do. I once came in as the youngest in the room. Now I try to spark belief in the next generation.”One of your main hobbies is learning Japanese, isn’t it?“It’s a hobby, but I guess it’s also my work too. It really started at work because previously I worked closely with a Japanese supplier and it gave me this drive to learn the language. After intensive study, I passed the JLPT (Japanese Language Proficiency Test) within six months, which allowed me to communicate even better with our Japanese suppliers.”What are your earliest Porsche memories? “I have always been interested in cars – as a girl, I played with cars. But my first real connection to Porsche came when I entered the Weissach Development Center building at Porsche on the first day of my internship. As it was Weissach, there were so many prototype cars, so you can imagine my eyes were getting wider and wider as I was looking around. “Also, it was the enthusiastic people who work here – I felt directly connected to them because we share the same spirit. It was an existing family, and I was entering into this family. I feel like I’m always making new Porsche memories.”Discover how Ilaggija shapes the future of Porsche
Consumption and emission information Taycan (WLTP): Electric energy consumption combined: 19.4 – 16.7 kWh/100 km; CO₂ emissions combined: 0 g/km; CO₂ class: .
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