Derin’s path to the automotive industry has been one of passion and purpose. Born and raised in Istanbul, Turkey, Derin began studying mechanical engineering at the University of Michigan in 2018. Before completing his undergraduate degree, Derin explored the Sequential Undergraduate/Graduate Studies (SUGS) program. He then chose to pursue a Master of Engineering in Automotive Engineering. This decision prepared him for a successful career in the fast-paced automotive industry.
“Around my sophomore or junior year of college, I knew I wanted to get into the automotive industry,” Derin explains. While his undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering provided a solid foundation, he wanted to specifically prepare for a career in the automotive industry. Michigan Engineering’s Automotive Engineering program gave him the opportunity to delve deeper into specific aspects of vehicle design and development.
His interest in the automotive industry was focused on electric vehicles. Derin says, “I was able to tailor my degree to focus on EV powertrains, body structure design, and product development. I use the design cycle techniques and product development strategies I learned in the program one-to-one in my job today.”
Derin was pleased by Michigan’s proximity to the automotive industry and the college’s strong relationships with leading companies. “You can’t get more integrated into the automotive industry than doing an auto program at the University of Michigan,” he says. “Between the professors, the curriculum, and the industry connections, it was the perfect place to launch my career.”
Today, Derin works as a Craftsmanship Engineer at Lucid Motors. “Craftsmanship engineering is the perception of quality that customers develop, largely subconsciously, through their experience with a vehicle,” he explains. “For example, when you touch an actual metal-coated trim piece in a car, it feels more luxurious than a painted plastic piece. That’s because your mind expects the cool touch of metal. If it doesn’t match, you subconsciously render it lower quality.”
Derin conducts quality studies, benchmarks competition, and ensures that every vehicle interface—from panel gaps to material textures—meets the highest standards. One of the highlights of his job? “You can walk into any lab or studio, and experience groundbreaking technology or see designs that will shape the future of the industry. It’s always fun,” Derin says.
Derin’s academic experience at Michigan directly prepared him for his role at Lucid. He says, “The master’s program helped me move from being a generalist to an automotive specialist. The courses are structured so you can apply what you learn directly to industry challenges.”
One of his favorite aspects of the program was the project-based coursework. He shares, “A lot of the classes I took had semester-long projects instead of exams, which was great. In one class, we designed a low-carbon transportation vehicle for students on campus. Another class had us designing the best possible car for a specific customer profile—factoring in cost, features, specifications, and user experience. These projects prepared me for real-world automotive design.”
For those considering the Automotive Engineering program, Derin offers some advice: “Surround yourself with people who inspire you. At Michigan, you’ll be learning from professors who wrote the textbooks used worldwide in automotive engineering. One of my biggest recommendations is to take a class with Professor Hyde. He was the chief engineer for the Mustang program, and learning from someone with that level of experience is invaluable.”
He also encourages students to maximize internship and networking opportunities. “I got my internship at Remora because one of my professors recommended me. Internships are a great way to gain industry experience, build connections, and even land full-time offers,” he says.
For international students, Derin highlights the importance of strategic planning. Derin shares, “A master’s degree gives you an extra summer to get another internship in the U.S., which is crucial for job searching. And when it comes to visa sponsorship, having a master’s degree increases your chances of getting selected for the H-1B lottery.”
Reflecting on his journey, Derin is grateful for the foundation Michigan provided. “I highly recommend the program. The impact it has had on my education and professional prospects is real. I had a great time, met incredible people, and walked away with knowledge and skills that I use every day in my career.”
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