Ines works in Research and Development at BMW, focusing on High‑Voltage Battery Technology. She joined the company in March 2025, relocating from Canada to Germany to take on her role in Munich. Her interest in Battery Development grew through exchanges with scientists who were working in this field at BMW and shared insights into their work. In this interview, Ines talks about how this interest led her to BMW, what motivates her work in Battery Development, and what it means to help shape future mobility as part of BMW’s battery research environment.
07.04.2026
In conversation with Ines about joining the BMW Group
moving from Canada to Germany to work in high‑voltage battery research.
What do you love about your job
and what do you hate?
“What I love most about my job is the combination of exciting, impactful and international projects with a healthy and supportive work environment. I work on topics that really matter for the future of mobility, while being surrounded by colleagues and managers who create a strong sense of trust and collaboration. It feels like getting the best of both worlds – doing something I genuinely enjoy in an environment that’s designed to bring out the best in people.
What can be challenging, especially when entering this industry, is working within such a large corporation. I know I’ll never be able to visit every BMW site or meet everyone I work with. But that’s something you learn to adapt to – and it comes with the scale and reach that make projects like these possible in the first place.”
How would you explain your job to your grandparents
in the simplest terms possible?
"I would probably explain that they grew up with cars powered by combustion engines, using fuel tanks filled with petrol or diesel. Today, we’re working to make cars more environmentally friendly and efficient by developing battery‑electric vehicles. Instead of fuel tanks, these cars use batteries – and that’s exactly what I work on. My role is to help improve these batteries over time, making them more efficient, more powerful and, above all, more sustainable."
How would you describe your team?
“The team I work with is absolutely amazing. It brings together a wide range of personalities, experiences and perspectives, which makes our collaboration both inspiring and effective. Some colleagues have joined BMW more recently, like I did, while others bring extensive experience from different areas across the company. This combination creates a strong balance between fresh ideas and deep expertise.
Because battery technology is such a new and dynamic field, the team is made up of people from many different professional backgrounds. Everyone contributes their individual strengths, and there’s a strong culture of learning from one another. What I especially appreciate is that collaboration is always on equal footing – regardless of background or career path. This openness and mutual respect make the team environment both supportive and highly motivating.”
My goal is to see my work contribute directly to the cars on the road. In R&D, that impact isn’t always visible right away, and it takes time to get there. But with growing experience, you begin to see the results of your work – and that makes it incredibly motivating.
Did you contribute to the Neue Klasse?
And what excites you most about what it represents for BMW?
"I joined BMW in March last year, so a lot of the foundational work on the Neue Klasse had already been completed. But development never really stops. My contribution so far has been focused on validating battery materials and ensuring that everything is aligned to keep production on track. Even at this stage, being part of that process was a very unique and exciting experience.
What really stood out to me was the energy around the project. There was a strong sense of motivation and commitment across teams, and you could feel how important this moment was for the company. What excites me most about the Neue Klasse is what it represents: a new era of electrification that stays true to driving pleasure. It’s not just one car, it’s the start of an entire generation – and being part of that journey is something I’m genuinely excited about."
What was it like relocating from Canada to Munich?
and how did BMW support you during that process?
"BMW was incredibly supportive throughout my relocation process. Moving from Canada to Munich would have been very challenging without that help – especially navigating German bureaucracy without speaking the language. I received support with all the important steps, from finding a place to stay to setting up my bank account and getting my tax number – which, I have to admit, I still don’t fully understand – but knowing BMW was there every step of the way made the transition much easier and allowed me to focus on settling into my new role.”
Was there a moment that made you realise
that BMW was the right place for you?
“Yes, there was a moment very early on that showed me I had made the right decision. During my onboarding, everything was incredibly well organised and smooth, and I immediately felt taken care of. My manager and the entire team were extremely supportive from day one. No matter the role or level – from my direct colleagues to my manager and even senior leaders – everyone took the time to be there for me. That made me feel welcome, and I knew right away that BMW was the right place for me.”
Which development in battery technology
do you personally find most exciting and why?
"Battery technology is incredibly exciting right now because it’s developing at a very fast pace and across many dimensions at once. It’s a truly dynamic and global field, with people in North America, Asia and Europe all working towards the same goal: making batteries more powerful, more efficient and more sustainable. Coming from a materials science background, what excites me most is the progress being made in cathode and anode materials. There is a lot happening in this area at the moment, and advances here have a direct impact on performance, efficiency and sustainability."
What keeps you motivated
in such a demanding field?
“What really keeps me motivated and curious in such a demanding field is understanding how important our work truly is. There’s a clear objective behind everything we do, and that gives our work real meaning. Developing batteries in a way that is both timely and sustainable – from raw material sourcing to cell design and large‑scale production – is essential.
When you put this into the broader context of climate change, global warming and the challenges we are seeing around the world, it becomes very clear why this work matters. Knowing that our efforts contribute to more sustainable mobility and can make a positive impact on a global scale is what drives me forward and keeps me engaged every day.”