Mechanical engineer Jacob Belin enjoys understanding how things work. He’s discovered he also likes being part of a team that looks for innovative ways to create new solutions. Even though he’s just 24, Belin is a propulsion systems engineer for Stellantis, a leading global automaker whose brands include Chrysler, Dodge, Fiat, Jeep, Opel, and Ram. So far, his path has included some trial and error and conscious effort — with a little help from AISES summer internships.
Stellantis is working on cutting-edge electrification, connectivity, and autonomous driving. As part of his job, Belin manages and develops features for electrified powertrains, which use both electric motors and a combustion engine to propel the vehicle forward. “Today car makers are moving away from traditional engine driven powertrains and toward more efficient electrified power trains to benefit the customer and comply with environmental regulations,” explains Belin. He is enthusiastic about electric power trains because they decrease demand on the engine and tailpipe emissions while improving efficiency.
Belin’s days consist of virtual meetings involving colleagues from many different departments, including controls, software engineering, and validation, and then communicating pertinent information to the company’s suppliers. “It’s really rewarding to see the world-class, behind-the-scenes engineering required to create all the options that ultimately are offered to the customer,” says Belin. His next career goal is to become a senior engineer, which will give him the chance to work on engine design.
Belin has always had a passion for cars and performance, so working at Stellantis is a natural fit. “It’s the power of the engine that fascinates me — it’s the heart of the vehicle,” he explains. “The most satisfying part of my job is dynamometer testing, which requires putting the vehicle or engine in a test cell where they are put through simulated driving scenarios. During aggressive throttles, you can hear the engine rev to a high RPM and that is my favorite part.”
Before joining Stellantis as a full-time employee in February of this year. Belin had completed two summer internships with the company: one in 2019 at the Chrysler World Headquarters and Technology Center in Auburn Hills, Mich., with the second in 2020 completed virtually due to the pandemic. He found his internships — which he believes helped him land a full-time position with Stellantis after college — during the College and Career Fair at an AISES National Conference. At the time Belin was a member of the Northern Arizona University College Chapter. “The fair offers a wealth of different career opportunities,” Belin says. “It’s a great way to get your foot in the door of companies supporting Native students and professionals. I’m so glad I joined AISES while at NAU and am very thankful for their support.”
Belin, Navajo, was born and raised in the Four Corners area near Farmington, N.M. — far from his current home in Royal Oak, Mich. One of four children, Belin says his parents set the bar high by demonstrating rigor and integrity. “They made sure all four of us received a quality education and supported us throughout all our extracurricular activities. But a good upbringing can only take you so far,” he explains. “I absolutely put a lot of effort into developing myself and in planning for my future so I could be competitive in the classroom and the workplace.”
Belin also attributes his success to his first internship manager at Stellantis. “He led us through a historical overview of the auto industry and the company, showing us interns that we were part of Motor City’s auto culture. He gave me good career advice like how to present to managers and colleagues, cultivate relationships across departments, and plan the next step in my career path,” Belin says. For Belin, the experience was a life-changer. “Before the internships, my career path was in energy,” he says. “Through this introduction to the company, auto culture, and Michigan, I found my true path as an automotive engineer.”
Stellantis provides employees with many options to become active in its business resource groups (BRGs), which support employee career and cultural interests. Belin is a member of the company’s First Nations BRG. “It was First Nations that gave Stellantis the idea to connect with AISES,” he points out. The rest, as they say, is history.
