Head of Powertrain Engineering

McLaren Automotive Ltd; Woking; On-site; GBP 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days’ holiday

Enhanced pension scheme

Discretionary annual bonus

Private medical insurance

Life assurance

Sabbatical after two years

Job summary

McLaren Automotive in the United Kingdom is seeking a Head of Powertrain Engineering to define and deliver the technical strategy for ICE engines and transmission systems across current and future vehicle programmes. The role leads multiple engineering departments and is accountable for end‑to‑end powertrain delivery from concept through production launch.

You will provide executive‑level technical direction, establish engineering standards, manage external partnerships and ensure design,

Qualifications

• Extensive experience leading ICE powertrain development in high-performance automotive environments.
• Proven track record delivering complex engine and transmission programmes from concept through production.
• Degree in Mechanical Engineering or related discipline.
• Experience managing strategic engineering partners and external programmes.

Responsibilities

• Act as the organisation's senior technical authority for powertrain engineering and ICE propulsion systems.
• Define and maintain the long-term powertrain technology roadmap aligned to vehicle, brand and business strategy.
• Establish engineering standards, methodologies and governance processes across all powertrain activities.
• Provide independent technical judgement on critical programme decisions, technology investments and engineering trade-offs.
• Drive innovation in engine performance, combustion efficiency, vehicle character, durability and customer experience.

Skills

Powertrain leadership

ICE propulsion

Engine development

Strategic leadership

Education

Mechanical Engineering

Job description

What to Expect

The Head of Powertrain Engineering is the company's recognised authority for powertrain engineering and delivery, responsible for defining and executing the technical strategy for all internal combustion engines and transmission systems across current and future vehicle programmes. The role leads multiple engineering departments and is accountable for the end-to-end delivery of powertrain systems, from concept definition through design, development, validation, industrialisation and production launch. The role combines deep technical expertise with strategic leadership, ensuring the organisation delivers world‑class powertrain performance, drivability, durability, quality and regulatory compliance. As a senior engineering leader, the Head of Powertrain Engineering provides authoritative technical direction across engine systems, combustion development, induction and exhaust systems, fuel systems, thermal management, transmission integration, controls, calibration, testing and validation. The role is also accountable for establishing and managing strategic engineering partnerships, ensuring external technology providers and development partners deliver against programme, quality, cost and performance objectives.

What You’ll Do

Technical Authority and Strategy

• – Act as the organisation's senior technical authority for powertrain engineering and ICE propulsion systems.
• – Define and maintain the long‑term powertrain technology roadmap aligned to vehicle, brand and business strategy.
• – Establish engineering standards, methodologies and governance processes across all powertrain activities.
• – Provide independent technical judgement on critical programme decisions, technology investments and engineering trade‑offs.
• – Drive innovation in engine performance, combustion efficiency, vehicle character, durability and customer experience.

Powertrain Programme Delivery

• – Accountable for successful delivery of complete powertrain systems across all vehicle programmes.
• – Ensure achievement of all programme targets relating to power, torque, response, emissions, durability, weight, cost and timing.
• – Lead resolution of complex technical issues impacting programme delivery and product performance.
• – Ensure robust integration of powertrain systems into vehicle programmes through close collaboration with Vehicle Engineering, Manufacturing, Purchasing and Quality functions.
• – Provide executive‑level reporting on programme status, risks, opportunities and resource requirements.

Engineering Partner Management

• – Define and execute the organisation's external powertrain partnership strategy.
• – Lead technical relationships with engine technology partners, specialist engineering consultancies, suppliers and development organisations.
• – Establish clear technical requirements, performance targets and deliverables for all engineering partners.
• – Ensure effective governance of external development programmes including timing, cost, technical maturity and quality performance.
• – Act as sponsor for key powertrain partnerships and strategic supplier relationships.
• – Drive accountability and performance across partner organisations to ensure successful programme outcomes.

Functional Leadership

• – Lead multiple engineering departments through subordinate managers and technical leaders.
• – Integrate activities across design, systems engineering, calibration, validation and programme delivery teams.
• – Allocate resources across competing programmes and strategic priorities.
• – Ensure engineering capability, tools, facilities and processes remain appropriate to support future business requirements.
• – Develop and maintain a high‑performance engineering organisation focused on technical excellence and delivery.

Capability and Organisation Development

• – Build and maintain a world‑class powertrain engineering capability.
• – Develop future technical leaders and succession pipelines within the organisation.
• – Act as a talent magnet, attracting leading industry expertise and developing internal capability.
• – Promote a culture of engineering excellence, accountability, collaboration and innovation.
• – Ensure critical technical knowledge is retained and effectively transferred throughout the organisation.

What You’ll Bring

Essential

• – Degree or postgraduate qualification in Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering or a related discipline.
• – Extensive experience leading ICE powertrain development within a high‑performance automotive environment.
• – Proven track record delivering complex engine and transmission programmes from concept through production.
• – Deep expertise in combustion systems, engine architecture, induction systems, fuel systems, thermal systems, calibration and powertrain integration.
• – Significant experience managing strategic engineering partners and externally sourced technology programmes.
• – Demonstrated success leading large multidisciplinary engineering organisations through managers.

Leadership Capability

• – Recognised industry expert within powertrain engineering.
• – Able to influence strategic business decisions through technical leadership and judgement.
• – Highly effective in managing complexity, ambiguity and competing priorities.
• – Strong commercial and programme management awareness.
• – Capable of leading large organisations through periods of significant technical and business change.

Complexity

• – The role operates within an environment characterised by:
• – Multiple concurrent vehicle programmes.
• – Complex technical and commercial decisions with long‑term business implications.
• – High levels of integration across engineering functions, suppliers and external development partners.
• – Significant regulatory, quality and performance requirements.
• – Strategic technology decisions influencing future products and organisational competitiveness.

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.