Aerothermal Engineer - Thermal

McLaren Automotive Limited; Woking; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days holiday

Enhanced pension scheme

Private medical insurance

Life assurance

Job summary

McLaren Automotive Limited is seeking an Aerothermal Engineer to advance powertrain cooling and heat management across high-performance road cars. You will use 1D simulations, CFD and rig testing to define requirements and drive calibration to meet demanding targets.

You will collaborate with Design, Vehicle Engineering and Programme Management to ensure thermal performance is integrated into the overall vehicle experience, while contributing to continuous improvement of simulation methodologies

Qualifications

• Requires degree in Aeronautical/Mechanical Engineering or Science.
• Strong understanding of heat transfer and fluid mechanics.
• Experience with powertrain cooling and thermal management systems is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Develop Powertrain Cooling and Heat Management attributes for vehicle programmes.
• Utilise 1D simulation, CFD, rig testing and vehicle evaluation to meet targets.
• Define thermal software control strategies and perform calibration/testing.
• Collaborate with Design, Vehicle Engineering and Programme Management to integrate thermal performance.

Skills

Heat transfer fundamentals

Fluid mechanics

Powertrain cooling knowledge

Thermal management systems

CFD/1D modelling experience

Education

First-rate Aeronautical/Mechanical Engineering or Science degree

Tools

AMESim

GT-SUITE

MATLAB/Simulink

Job description

Aerothermal Engineer - ThermalRef #59496Date postedTuesday, September 29, 2026CountryUnited KingdomLocationWokingBusiness areaProduct DevelopmentDepartmentPD - VI - AerothermaPosition level5 - Supervisory / Professional - (L-15)Working timeFull TimeContract typePermanentWorking pattern9am - 6pm Monday to FridaySalary.What to ExpectThe Aerothermal Team is responsible for the delivery of all Aerodynamic, Thermal Management, Powertrain Cooling and HVAC attributes across McLaren road cars. From concept and research through to design, simulation, development, calibration and vehicle validation, the team serves as the centre of excellence for vehicle fluid flow, heat transfer and thermal comfort.In this role you will be working closely with the other members of the Aerothermal team, primarily to develop the Powertain Cooling and Heat Management attributes. As part of your role, you will learn, develop and gain experience through training, mentoring and hands-on experience of live projects and tasks.You will utilise a combination of 1D system simulation, 3D CFD, rig and vehicle testing to define requirements, develop systems and validate performance against demanding customer and vehicle targets.The role requires close collaboration with a broad range of stakeholders, including Design, Vehicle Engineering, Vehicle Development, Programme Management, Product Strategy and Sales & Marketing, ensuring thermal system performance is fully integrated into the overall vehicle experience.You will also contribute to continuous improvement within the Aerothermal Team, advancing simulation methodologies, testing techniques and tool correlation to enable efficient and concurrent development of McLaren's highly integrated, high-performance vehicles.What You'll Do• Develop the Powertrain Cooling and Heat Management attributes and systems for vehicle programmes, contributing to target setting, functional specification, development, attribute delivery and programme sign-off while meeting attribute, timing and investment targets.• Use a combination of 1D simulation, CFD analysis, rig testing and vehicle evaluation to deliver Powertrain Cooling and Heat Management performance targets.• Define thermal software control strategies and perform development testing (rig & prototype) to complete calibration and certification• Communicate system design progress and critical issues to attribute leads, programme management and the Chief Engineer, partaking in Attribute, Styling, and Design reviews to ensure targets are met.• Define Design Verification Plan (DVP) activities, working closely with Vehicle Development to ensure successful delivery of testing and sign-off requirement• Support the continuous improvement of Aerothermal development processes, including CFD, 1D modelling, rig testing and vehicle testing methodologies, improving prediction accuracy, correlation and development efficiencyWhat You'll Bring• First-rate Aeronautical, Mechanical Engineering or Science degree• Strong understanding of heat transfer and fluid mechanic fundamentals• Knowledge of powertrain cooling and thermal management systems.• Experience with 1D system simulation tools such as AMESim, GT-SUITE or MATLAB/Simulink advantageous.• Experience in CFD analysis and aerodynamic/thermal simulation techniques advantageous.• Ability to interpret complex technical data and translate findings into robust engineering solutions.• Creativity, the ability to develop ideas from first principles through to a final refined and optimised design.• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.What We'll Do for YouWe offer a wide – ranging benefits package, which includes:* Structured career development framework* 25 days’ holiday, plus bank holiday. Annual buy & sell up to five days* Enhanced company pension scheme* Discretionary annual bonus award* Private medical insurance and health cash plan* Life assurance benefit* Ability to apply for a sabbatical of up to one year after only two years’ service* Benefits you can adapt to your lifestyle, such as discounted shopping* Generous parental leave policies* A range of wellbeing initiatives, such as employee assistance programme and free financial & mortgage adviceWho Are We?No restraints. No limitations. We don’t simply push boundaries. We completely rethink them. McLaren Automotive exists to create breath-taking performance road cars.It takes a community to do what we do. A diverse group of people with many areas of expertise, united by their passion to deliver visionary products and set new benchmarks.McLaren Automotive commits to equal opportunity for all. Diversity, Equality and Inclusion is at the heart of our impact, it drives our innovation and enables us to truly create something special. Join us on our journey.