Interior Design Expert

McLaren Automotive Ltd; Bicester; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days holiday

Private medical insurance

Enhanced company pension

Job summary

McLaren Automotive is seeking an Interior Design Expert to lead the development of future vehicle interiors, balancing aesthetics with engineering feasibility. You will collaborate with Exterior and CMF Design, Engineering, Marketing and Production to deliver innovative, brand-aligned interiors for concept and production vehicles.

The role requires delivering advanced concepts, 3D models, and production-ready surfaces while guiding design direction across multiple project phases in a fast-paced

Qualifications

• Proven ability to generate production-ready interior design concepts.
• Experience in interpreting brand design language into functional interiors.
• Strong 3D visualization and presentation skills.
• Excellent collaboration with engineering, marketing, and leadership.
• Knowledge of automotive interior trends and surfacing techniques.
• Experience with manufacturing constraints and ergonomics.

Responsibilities

• Generate advanced interior concepts using sketches, renders, and 3D models.
• Refine design directions while maintaining engineering excellence.
• Collaborate with clay modelers, CAS teams, and engineering to refine surfaces.
• Ensure feasibility and alignment with production tooling and constraints.
• Present concepts to design leadership and product management.
• Lead cross-functional reviews with engineering, manufacturing, color & trim, and marketing.

Skills

Sketching & Visualization

Concept Development

3D Modelling

Team Communication

Design Strategy

Storytelling

Automotive Trends

Technical Awareness

Collaboration

Attention to Detail

Time Management

Tools

Alias CAD

Blender

Job description

What to Expect

The purpose of the role of an Interior Design Expert is to lead and innovate the design of future vehicle interiors, blending cutting-edge aesthetic concepts with functional engineering. This individual will be responsible for conceptualising and creating visually compelling, ergonomically efficient, and market-relevant interior designs of both concept and production vehicles. They will collaborate closely with Exterior and CMF Design teams, and Engineering, Marketing and Production teams to ensure that design ideas are not only artistic, but are also feasible, sustainable, and aligned with brand identity. By staying ahead of design trends and utilising advanced technologies, the Interior Design Expert will play a key role in shaping the future of Mclaren interiors, ensuring that each design delivers a striking visual appeal and exceptional technical performance, while maintaining the highest standards of quality, craftsmanship, and feasibility.

What You'll Do

Creative Development

• Generate advanced and production-ready interior design concepts through sketches, digital renderings, and 3D models.
• Support the refinement and development of selected design directions, retaining design and engineering excellence.
• Interpret and evolve the brand’s interior design language into exciting, functional, and usable interior spaces.

Design Execution

• Drive design quality through all project phases — from early ideation to final surface release.
• Collaborate closely with clay modelers, CAS teams, and engineering departments to refine proportions and surface details.

Technical Integration

• Ensure aesthetic intent is maintained through feasibility reviews, tooling constraints, and engineering integration.
• Reviews and guides surfaces with modelling teams for production alignment.Cross-Functional Collaboration

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Serve as a key design interface with engineering, manufacturing, colour & trim, and marketing teams.
• Participate in design reviews, supplier meetings, and digital/physical model evaluations.

Design Advocacy

• Act as a subject matter expert on interior design, brand identity, surfacing techniques, and industry benchmarks.
• Present design concepts and strategies internally to design leadership and product management

What You'll Bring

Essential Functional / Technical Skills

• Advanced Sketching & Visualization: Communicative freehand sketching and digital rendering to explore and communicate designs clearly, and 3D visualization skills alongside Photoshop to produce high-level presentation content visuals.
• Creative Concept Development: Ability to generate original, forward-thinking design concepts that align with brand identity and future mobility trends.
• 3D Modelling Proficiency: Expertise in software such as Alias or Blender, for creating and exploring concept themes, as well as aiding communication with the CAS modelling team.
• Creative team communication: Clear, considered design direction given to Design team colleagues, CAS and clay modelling teams, to support efficient design development.
• Design Strategy: Skill in developing a compelling design narrative and translating it into impactful design concepts.
• Story Telling: Skilled in creation of PPT presentation content and narrative, to best sell ideas and design themes to a wide audience.
• Knowledge of Automotive Trends: Deep understanding of industry trends, competitor landscape, and consumer expectations.
• Technical & Engineering Awareness: Ability to design within manufacturing, safety, ergonomic, and regulatory constraints.
• Collaboration & Communication: Strong interpersonal skills to work effectively with engineering, marketing, and leadership teams.
• Attention to Detail: High level of precision, care and refinement in all stages of the design process.
• Time & Project Management: Ability to manage multiple projects and meet tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

Personal Attributes / Competencies

• Visionary Thinking: Ability to anticipate future trends and translate them into bold, forward-looking design strategies.
• Leadership Presence: Confident, inspiring, and respected figure.
• High Emotional Intelligence: Strong interpersonal skills, empathy, and the ability to nurture creative talent.
• Strong Aesthetic Sensibility: Keen eye for form, proportion, and detail with an innate sense of visual harmony, quality, craftsmanship and brand expression.
• Resilience & Adaptability: Ability to thrive under pressure, adapt to shifting priorities, and lead through uncertainty.
• Strategic Mindset: Balances creativity with business acumen to drive designs that are both innovative and commercially viable.
• Excellent Communication: Clear, persuasive communicator who can present complex ideas with clarity to various audiences.
• Collaborative Spirit: Open-minded and inclusive, fostering a culture of teamwork, feedback, and cross-functional cooperation.
• Decisiveness: Makes confident, informed decisions quickly while maintaining the integrity of the design vision.
• Passion for Design: Deep enthusiasm for automotive design, innovation, and shaping the future of mobility.

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.