Ep.3

The guest for this episode is Li Yuzhe. He is a SOTIF (Safety of the Intended Functionality) engineer and has joined ALTEN for almost 3 years. With a solid background in the automotive industry spanning 7 years, he brings rich experience in vehicle testing and functional design. He believes practice outweighs theory in significance, and he would like to inspire more newcomers with this insight.

Don"t miss out on this opportunity to delve deeper into Li Yuzhe"s journey! Tune in to the podcast or read the article for an insider"s perspective on his career and achievements.

Episode Transpcript

[00:25] why join ALTEN

I was pleasantly surprised to receive a call from ALTEN while I was in the midst of considering a job change. Two aspects immediately caught my attention. The opportunity to delve into the intriguing realm of SOTIF, a field I was keen to explore further. Besides, the prospect of working on-site with a globally recognized automotive firm was immensely appealing.

As I progressed through the interview stages, I found the support from ALTEN"s HR team to be exceptional. Their clear and effective communication, along with constructive feedback on my interview performance, reinforced my impression of ALTEN as a highly professional organization.

[01:35] my daily work routine

My job scope could be summarized as below: 

1. Collaborate with the driving assistance & autonomous driving and electronic & electrical departments to review and evaluate SOTIF risks; 

2. Support the organization of human factors related research and provide this basis for the evaluation of related functions;

3. Collect functional use cases that align with the domestic market, taking into account the distinctive driving habits of Chinese drivers and the intricate road conditions. 

4. It is also necessary to pay attention to domestic standards and regulations for expected functional safety and human-computer interaction and update them to relevant departments promptly.

[03:03] the biggest challenge in my job

My research field stands out as particularly cutting-edge within the automotive industry. SOTIF is a concept for autonomous driving systems. It mainly focuses on the limitations of autonomous driving, as well as safety issues caused by environmental factors and human error operation. In these aspects, there are currently no sound relevant standards and regulations in China to support it, and predecessors have no relevant experience, which requires me to look for a lot of information from websites and journals to learn systems, thereby improving my professionalism. The process of gradually establishing a professional system and breaking down knowledge barriers has placed high demands on my information retrieval, integration and application abilities.

[04:47] the advices for newcomers

I have two suggestions. First, it"s crucial to translate theoretical knowledge into practical skills that you can apply directly to your work. Throughout my years in the automotive industry, I"ve found that insights gleaned from hands-on experience are often more profound than textbook learning. Therefore, prioritizing practical application in our daily tasks is essential. Second, maintaining a humble attitude and being receptive to the advice of senior colleagues is paramount. While innovation is highly valued in the automotive sector, experience holds unparalleled significance. Drawing from the wealth of experience accumulated by predecessors can help newcomers avoid unnecessary pitfalls and facilitate rapid professional development.

[07:09] would you choose your current job again if given another chance 

Absolutely. After joining ALTEN, my life has undergone significant changes. The balanced work allowed me to successfully lose more than 60 pounds through exercise. At the same time, I entered into marriage during this period. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the caring measures for employees by the company also made me feel warm-hearted. The project manager also pays close attention to my situation and needs in the project. The working atmosphere and humanized management provided by the company make me feel very happy to work here.