James Hawkins

Senior Director of Engineering at Lucid Motors

Speaker

Dr. James Hawkins serves as the Vice President of Engineering at Lucid Motors in Fremont, California, where he leverages a decade of tenure to spearhead the development of innovative EV architecture. His responsibilities encompass the critical mechanical integration of battery, body, and chassis systems, driving advancements in vehicle performance and efficiency.

Prior to assuming this comprehensive vehicle architect role, Dr. Hawkins held the position of Director for the High Voltage Mechanical Engineering group for five years. In this capacity, he directed the engineering efforts focused on the main vehicle battery, including cell and pack design, as well as the power electronics systems integral to Lucid's electric vehicles.

Before joining Lucid Motors, Dr. Hawkins cultivated a strong foundation in automotive engineering through significant roles at prestigious British OEMs. He spent a considerable portion of his career at Aston Martin Lagonda as a Senior Subframes Engineer and previously contributed his expertise as a Suspension Component Design Engineer at Jaguar Land Rover in Warwickshire.

Dr. Hawkins' professional interests center on the intersection of lightweight, high-performance structural design and the human-machine interface. This encompasses a broad range of applications, including vehicles and bicycles, alongside a dedicated passion for the design and development of prosthetic and orthotic devices. His practical knowledge extends to a diverse array of composite manufacturing techniques, including Resin Injection Molding (RIM), Resin Transfer Molding (RTM), filament winding, pultrusion, compression molding, prepreg and wet layup, and vacuum bagging.

Dr. Hawkins holds a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Bournemouth University, underscoring his deep theoretical understanding and commitment to engineering excellence