DVA Modelling Senior Engineer

McLaren Automotive Ltd; Woking; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days holiday

Enhanced pension

Discretionary bonus

Private medical insurance

Life assurance

Sabbatical option

Job summary

McLaren Automotive is seeking a DVA Modelling Senior Engineer to drive front-end design concepts, applying 3DCS tolerance analysis to validate multiple concept options for major vehicle systems. You will contribute to dimensional control strategies, GD&T, and data-driven reports to support manufacturing readiness across UK facilities.

You will collaborate across teams, attend design reviews, and mentor junior engineers while advancing continuous improvement in DVA modelling practices.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years in DVA/GD&T.
• Minimum 2 years using 3DCS tolerance analysis software.
• Degree in mechanical/automotive engineering (2:1 or higher) or equivalent.
• Proficiency in CATIA V5/V6/3DX.
• Knowledge of GD&T and BS8888.
• New product development experience in the automotive industry.
• Strong analytical, self-motivated problem-solver.

Responsibilities

• Ensure DVA modelling meets project timing and is robust.
• Apply 3DCS to validate multiple concepts and the complete vehicle concept.
• Support ER sign-off across components for a new model.
• Develop a complete dimensional control concept and collaborate cross-functionally.
• Build a tolerance simulation model in 3DCS and generate reports.
• Attend design reviews to drive vehicle concept improvements.
• Raise validated concerns in McLaren faults system.
• Understand manufacturing processes for tooling philosophies.
• Provide input to manufacturing assembly sequence decisions.
• Govern FT&A/GD&T in released designs per BS:8888.
• Support datum strategy concepts using GD&T.
• Manage internal training guides for 3DCS modeling.
• Support DVA engineers with best practices.
• Grow the DVA Modelling team with the manager.

Skills

DVA/GD&T knowledge

3DCS tolerance analysis

Tolerance analysis

CATIA V5/V6/3DX

GD&T BS8888

Automotive industry experience

Analytical mindset

Self-starter

Education

Mechanical/Automotive Engineering degree (2:1 or above)

Tools

3DCS

CATIA

Job description

What to Expect

As a DVA Modelling Senior Engineer you will engage at the very front end of the conceptual design process and play an integral role within the project, to influence the overall Styling, Design, and Manufacturing concepts of our future products. You also will support the DVA Strategy the team with knowledge and experience to ensure best practices are followed and project gateway timing is adhered to.

This function is crucial to integrating major vehicle systems; its outputs provide the basis for supplier measurement and gauging activities, as well as the design of major body assembly jigs and framing fixtures.

What You’ll Do

• Responsible for ensuring DVA modelling work carried out meets the project timing and is delivered in a robust manner.
• Apply 3D Dimensional Variation Analysis (DVA) tools to prove out multiple concepts and ultimately validate the effectiveness of the optimal complete vehicle concept.
• Apply the Compliant and Visualisation 3DCS Modules to complete the dimensional analysis.
• Support Engineering Releases (ER) sign off across all components for a new model and be a subject matter expert to support the business.
• Work cross-functionally to develop and define a complete dimensional control concept. This concept is used to evaluate the product and process design capability against critical quality targets for major vehicle systems, including exterior and interior.
• Without supervision to build a tolerance simulation model using 3DCS software to evaluate design concept capability. Collate the results to generate reports against vehicle aesthetic and functional targets, to give direction on the areas that require improvement through the concept phase.
• Attend design reviews to drive the development of the overall vehicle concept to ensure previous lessons learned and concept issues are raised, thus finding optimal design solutions.
• Raise all validated concerns into the McLaren faults management system.
• Have a thorough understanding of the various component manufacturing processes with respect to best practice tooling philosophies.
• Provide Input to manufacturing assembly sequence and assembly concept decision making process
• Govern FT&A/GD&T in released designs is in accordance with BS:8888 ISO:1101 and supports vehicle dimensional concept in context to downstream manufacturing processes.
• Provide support in generating datum strategy concepts, (Using GD&T), which sets overall engineering concept; which is required for assembly jigs, fixtures, and measurement plans.
• Management of internal training guides and standards for 3DCS model creation.
• Provide support to DVA engineers with best practices and innovative ways of modelling.
• Work with the DVA Modelling Manager to develop the team and expand the 3DCS Modelling activity.
• Support and drives new continuous improvement initiatives to improve and refine the analysis work carried out.

What You’ll Bring

• A minimum of 3 years of relevant experience in DVA/GD&T
• A minimum 2 years of experience in 3DCS Tolerance analysis software, or similar
• A degree in mechanical / automotive engineering or similar (2:1 or above) or equivalent experience in a similar role.
• CATIA V5, V6, 3DX
• GD&T And its application to the BS8888 standard
• 8D or Practical Problem Solving (PPS)
• Methodical approach to work with strong analytical skills
• Self-starter capable of using initiative
• New product development experience in the Automotive Industry
• The application of best practice location strategies for a range of components/assemblies, materials and manufacturing processes covering composites, polymer mouldings, pressed steel/aluminium sheet metal, castings, and laminates
• Good understanding of jig and fixture concepts
• Good problem-solving ability
• Good understanding of SPC, statistics and process capabilities

Personal attributes:

• As a DVA Modelling Senior Engineer you will naturally have an aptitude to learn and develop your engineering skills, with regards to tolerance analysis and the impact of tolerance on the engineering and manufacturing processes.
• You will have the drive to push the department forward and always strive for doing better through continuous improvement initiatives.
• We work in a fast-paced environment so the ability to act under pressure with calmness, clarity of thought, and decisive authority is crucial.
• You may be required to travel to off-site development facilities, within the UK and throughout Europe, therefore a flexible approach to travel is required.

What We’ll Do for You

We 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 advice

Who 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.