Manufacturing Graduate Scheme 2026

McLaren Automotive Ltd; Woking; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days holiday plus bank holiday

Enhanced pension scheme

Annual bonus award

Private medical insurance

Life assurance

Employee assistance programme

Job summary

A leading performance automotive company is seeking graduates for its Manufacturing Graduate Scheme 2026 at its Woking facility. The role involves four rotations, gaining hands-on experience and contributing to continuous improvement in manufacturing processes. Candidates should possess a relevant engineering degree and a passion for performance vehicles.

Qualifications

• Must achieve or be on track for at least a 2:1 in relevant Engineering degree.
• Passion for performance vehicles and cutting-edge production.
• Experience with process analysis tools or CAD software advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate on new model introductions from concept to production.
• Support robust build processes meeting documentation and quality expectations.
• Conduct engineering change assessments, participate in design reviews.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Structured problem-solving

Collaborative teamwork

Process analysis tools

Lean methodology

CAD software

Education

Relevant Engineering degree with at least 2:1

Job description

Overview

Join to apply for the Manufacturing Graduate Scheme 2026 role at McLaren Automotive Ltd.

We are recruiting for Graduates to join our world-class Manufacturing team at the McLaren Technology Centre in Woking, Surrey. As a Manufacturing Graduate, you will play a key role in advancing how our performance cars are built, supporting continuous improvement initiatives, implementing engineering changes, and ensuring the seamless handover of new model build processes into series production.

This is a two-year rotational programme (4 x 6 months), offering experience across key manufacturing departments. It’s designed to develop your technical skills, operational understanding, and leadership capability, preparing you for a permanent role within the McLaren Manufacturing function.

Please note this is an onsite position.

What You'll Do

Across four structured rotations, you’ll gain hands-on experience within McLaren’s manufacturing operations, contributing to the continuous improvement and excellence of our production processes.

During the programme, you will:

• Collaborate with engineering teams on new model introductions, from concept handover to series production.
• Support the development of robust build processes that meet plant sequencing, documentation, and quality expectations.
• Conduct engineering change assessments and take part in design reviews for new product content.
• Assist with facility layouts, simulations, and material flow planning to support scalable production.
• Identify and help resolve production bottlenecks and inefficiencies.
• Run time and motion studies to support line balancing and resource planning.
• Apply lean manufacturing principles to drive continuous improvement, reduce waste, and enhance cycle times.
• Contribute to cross-functional projects aligned with business needs and leadership priorities.

Your rotations will give you exposure to core areas of Manufacturing, including:

• Logistics – supporting efficient material flow and inventory management
• Material Control – managing stock levels and ensuring parts availability
• Engineering – driving process improvements and supporting operations
• Manufacturing Quality & Production – maintaining quality standards and optimising daily performance

Alongside your rotations, you’ll take part in professional development workshops, innovation challenges, and knowledge-sharing sessions to sharpen both your technical expertise and leadership potential.

What You'll Bring

• You must have achieved, or be on track to achieve, at least a 2:1 in a relevant Engineering degree.
• A passion for performance vehicles and cutting-edge production environments.
• Strong analytical thinking and structured problem-solving abilities.
• The drive to work collaboratively in a fast-paced, precision-focused setting.
• Some experience with process analysis tools, lean methodology, or CAD software would be advantageous.

You must also bring a passion for cars, and a desire to work at the cutting edge of the automotive industry within our Manufacturing business area

Personal Attributes

We’re looking for individuals who combine engineering expertise with curiosity, energy, and commitment to innovation. Desirable traits include:

• Manufacturing mindset – a passion for process excellence, quality, and hands-on problem-solving.
• Operational curiosity – interest in how a high-performance product is built at scale.
• Attention to detail – care and precision in analysis, planning, and execution.
• Continuous improvement thinking – always looking for ways to do things better.
• Adaptability – able to pivot between technical detail and big-picture thinking.
• Team collaboration – thrive in cross-functional environments, building trust with operators, engineers, and leadership.
• Resilience – ability to work through challenges and maintain momentum in a high-precision, time-critical environment.
• Ownership – proactive in taking responsibility and seeing tasks through to completion.
• Effective communicator – clear and confident when presenting solutions and progress.
• Passion for performance engineering – enthusiastic about McLaren’s vision and products.

What We'll Do for You

We offer a wide – ranging benefits package, which includes:

• 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
• Benefits you can adapt to your lifestyle, such as discounted shopping
• A range of wellbeing initiatives, such as employee assistance programme and free financial & mortgage advice
• Opportunities to experience our fantastic cars

*Qualifying criteria applies

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.