From Formula 1 to James Bond: The Engineering Journey of Mike Keane
Mike Keane, a Carrigaline-based automotive engineer, has forged an impressive two-decade career at the intersection of high-performance motorsport and iconic vehicle design. From his early work with Williams F1 to leading engineering programs for brands like Aston Martin and Jaguar, and even contributing to a James Bond film, Keane’s trajectory exemplifies a passion for automotive innovation. Today, as founder and CEO of Hibra Design, he continues to push boundaries in vehicle engineering, particularly in the realm of electric vehicles.
Early Career and Formula 1
Keane’s professional journey began with a BEng (Hons) in Automotive Engineering Design from Coventry University, graduating between 1997 and 2001. He chose Coventry due to its location at the heart of the British automotive industry, providing direct access to industry experience alongside his studies.
In 2011, Keane joined Williams Advanced Engineering (WAE), the division of the Williams Formula 1 team, as Lead Propulsion Systems Engineer. His work at Williams F1, from February 2013 to December 2015, focused on high-performance propulsion and vehicle design. He described the environment as intense and demanding, requiring mental clarity and sharpness, but also offering the opportunity to work on “amazing cars and amazing projects.” Much of the work occurred at the Oxfordshire headquarters, with most team members focused on research and development rather than trackside support.
Iconic Projects: James Bond and Beyond
One of Keane’s most notable projects was his role as the design lead for the hybrid supercar featured in the 2015 James Bond film, Spectre. He led the team responsible for modifying the Aston Martin design to create stunt vehicles capable of performing complex maneuvers, completing the project in a remarkably short 11 weeks.
Prior to his work on Spectre, Keane also contributed to powertrain development for the Jaguar CX-75 stunt cars used in the same film. He subsequently worked on prototype programs for Range Rover, Nissan, and Jaguar models, including the Jaguar I-Pace and Aston Martin Rapide-E.
Hibra Design: Pioneering Electric Vehicle Innovation
In 2022, Keane founded Hibra Design, an automotive engineering development company based in Cork, Ireland. Within four years, Hibra Design has secured contracts with public and private sector clients across Ireland, the EU, the Middle East, and South Africa. The company has received several industry accolades, including the Business Post Electric Vehicle Pioneer of the Year 2025, the 2024 National Start-Up Product and Manufacturing Gold Award, and the 2023 Enterprise Ireland One To Watch award.
A significant achievement for Hibra Design was the development of Ireland’s first operational electric tractor, commissioned by Bord Na Móna. Keane highlighted the challenge of integrating the electric powertrain with the tractor’s existing control systems, emphasizing the importance of software development in this process. The project garnered significant attention, leading to Hibra Design being shortlisted in the Western Europe regional finals of the Global Startup Awards.
Looking Ahead
Keane’s focus with Hibra Design is on novel vehicle design and vehicle system designs, with increasing interest from potential clients. He anticipates continued demand for expertise in areas like software development, particularly related to autonomous vehicles.