Working as a Machine Learning Engineer at BMW

Guilherme Klink never was a tinkerer before he came to Northwestern's Master of Science in Robotics (MSR) program. His background was computer science and his knowledge base was focused on software and coding.

During his time in MSR, though, Klink (MSR '16) began to discover a love for piecing together different types of technologies to create something new. Now, he does just that on a daily basis as a machine learning engineer for BMW.

Klink is focused on research and development at BMW, where he finds new ways to integrate technology in order to enhance a driver's experience. He recently took some time to talk about that integration process and how his time in MSR helped him get where he is today.

If you were talking to someone with no knowledge of what machine learning is, how would you describe your role and responsibilities at BMW?

I develop ways to teach machines to automate complicated tasks in order to enhance the driver's experience. My goal is to increase convenience, safety and, in some cases, to enable the driver to only focus on having sheer driving pleasure.

BMW headquarters are in Munich, yet you work out of Silicon Valley. What's different about your office?

Our office is in Silicon Valley so we can be close to all of the new tech that comes out of startups and major tech companies like Google and Apple. A lot of what we do involves getting together with startups and understanding new technology that's being created and figuring out how we can integrate it into our technology.

We're a very prototype-oriented office. Once we create something, we send it to Munich, and if the bosses there like it, they'll put a team together to manufacture it.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

I enjoy the plurality of topics involved and being in an R&D office gives me the freedom to pursue ideas that are not necessarily obvious. Also, I am working for the brand that produces my favorite cars and motorcycles (extra points for the fact that we get great discounts on all vehicles and parts!).

What were you doing professionally before starting at BMW?

I was working with data science and machine learning for automating processes and decisions for a company that provided maintenance services.

How would you describe your MSR experience?

I learned a lot, including a lot about machine learning, and I made friends for life while doing so. I think being in such a challenging environment on a daily basis brings people together, no matter their background or where they are from.

What was the biggest challenge you faced within the MSR program?

Coming from a computer science background, my biggest challenge was to get caught up with topics involving physics and mechanics, since my main skills were in coding.

What was the most important thing you learned during your time in MSR?

The most important thing that I learned being in a lab with people of very different backgrounds was to work together to achieve a result that sometimes we couldn't do without each other's skills. Secondly, I became quite a good tinkerer, a skill that I completely lacked before MSR but that now helps me a lot when prototyping. I really credit the MSR mechatronics courses with helping me develop those skills.

Additionally, I became more versatile in solving unrelated problems while meeting tight deadlines (thanks Northwestern quarter system!).

Looking back on your time in the program and where you are today, what are you most proud of?

When I came to MSR I was only a programmer. When I left I was an engineer and scientist.