From Parts Design to Performance Planning:
A Desire to Understand Cars Fully
After graduating from a university in Korea, I joined a Japanese temp agency and worked at a vehicle manufacturer’s research lab, where I was responsible for harness design. Harnesses are used throughout the vehicle to connect electronic and electrical components, enabling the transmission of information and power. I focused on improving the routing and layout design, as well as enhancing drawing quality to boost efficiency. I also participated in a project to outsource parts to suppliers, providing technical training and preparing for official production.
As I gained experience, I realized I wanted to understand the entire vehicle, not just parts of it. I also wanted to leverage my background in safety engineering, which I studied at university, to contribute to safety-related manufacturing. At that time, I was working far from Tokyo, with few acquaintances around me, and often felt lonely. Nissan, with its many colleagues and its location in the Tokyo metropolitan area—an environment conducive to work and life, even for those from overseas—became my top choice among automakers.
The Appeal of Working at Nissan
with a Truly Global Team
When I first started working at Nissan Technical Center, I was surprised by how well the environment accommodates employees from overseas and how deeply the company embraces cultural diversity. I had heard from a Korean colleague beforehand, but the reality exceeded my expectations—many international team members, and meetings and conversations conducted in English. I was happy to work at a company where many colleagues share my background and where I could continue to work in Japan, which I love.
Initially, I wasn’t very interested in cars. However, I gradually became fascinated by the process of bringing together many parts and departments to build a complete vehicle. The fact that I can easily interact with cars in daily life and see the results of my work immediately is very rewarding. Moreover, Japan’s automotive industry has a significant global economic impact, and I find it attractive that Nissan continuously develops advanced technologies that support sustainable growth.
Using My Experience to Realize a Society Free of Accidents
— Focusing on Pedestrian Safety
The Collision Safety Group prioritizes customer safety by developing measures from the perspectives of people, vehicles, and society, aiming for a world where accidents are eliminated. Currently, I am responsible for developing pedestrian protection performance related to vehicle collision safety. We examine structures and technologies to minimize injuries to pedestrians’ heads, thighs, legs, and other parts during collisions, and allocate performance requirements to various components. This process involves collision simulations and experimental testing.
In addition to my safety knowledge from university, I also draw on my understanding of automotive development processes, terminology, and parts names, which I gained in my previous job. This background has made it easier for me to adapt to my current work. Thanks to my design experience, I can consider how parts should be allocated to meet performance targets from a design perspective, leading to more efficient work.
Collaborating with Design and Engineering
to Create Safer, More Stylish Cars
My current focus on pedestrian safety involves allocating performance to components developed and manufactured by various departments to meet development goals. Therefore, a broad knowledge of automobiles and strong communication skills are essential. This role requires understanding the entire vehicle—a position I had hoped for before changing jobs. I enjoyed harness design in the past and sometimes wish to return to it, but I am currently very satisfied with my current role.
Pedestrian protection significantly influences vehicle design. Achieving both safety performance and attractive design simultaneously is often challenging. We work closely with the design department to realize pedestrian protection features. My future goal is to develop technologies that allow for greater design freedom while maintaining high pedestrian safety standards. I want to leverage my knowledge and experience to create safer, more stylish cars.
