Principal Engineer – Chassis Systems

Group Lotus; Norwich; On-site; GBP 95,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company Car Scheme (ECOS)

25 Vacation Days

Performance Bonus

Future-Proof Pension

Private Healthcare

Job summary

Group Lotus is seeking a Principal Engineer – Chassis Systems to join our Vehicle Engineering team at Hethel, Norfolk. This senior technical leadership role defines, develops, and delivers chassis and suspension systems across vehicle programmes, guiding engineers and coordinating with dynamics, safety, quality, software, and manufacturing to meet performance, cost and timing targets.

You will drive design validation, CAE and rig testing, lead issues, and support production release while

Qualifications

• Degree in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent.
• Strong knowledge of suspension systems design and verification.
• Experience leading engineering teams in automotive programs.
• Familiarity with CAE, PLM, and vehicle development processes.

Responsibilities

• Lead chassis component and system 3D data development with CAD engineers.
• Coordinate cross-functional activities across dynamics, safety, software, and manufacturing.
• Approve 3D data drawings and engineering documentation per standards.
• Develop technical documentation like DFMEAs, DVPs, and specs.
• Drive issue resolution and support road release activities.
• Travel to other sites as needed.

Skills

Chassis systems design

Vehicle dynamics understanding

Leadership

Project management

Cross-functional collaboration

Autonomous decision-making

Education

Degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

CATIA V5

Job description

Lotus Cars is renowned for crafting world‑class, high-performance, and lightweight sports cars that are celebrated across the globe. Lotus Cars Limited serves as the company’s manufacturing HQ in the UK, where we proudly produce iconic models such as the Emira and the all‑electric Evija. As we continue to elevate our capabilities and global presence, we are seeking a Principal Engineer – Chassis Systems to join our dynamic Engineering team at our state‑of‑the‑art manufacturing facility in Hethel.

About The Role

Lotus is looking for a Principal Engineer – Chassis Systems to join our Vehicle Engineering team at Hethel.

This is a senior technical and leadership position with responsibility for the definition, development, integration and delivery of chassis and suspension systems across our vehicle programmes.

You will provide technical leadership to Chassis Engineers and work closely with teams across Vehicle Dynamics, Safety, Quality, Software, ADAS, Manufacturing, NVH and Homologation to ensure our chassis systems meet Lotus requirements for performance, quality, cost and timing.

Combining strong technical knowledge with practical vehicle development experience, you will play a key role in taking systems from concept and design through validation, issue resolution and production release.

What You'll Do

• Lead the development of chassis component and system 3D data, providing technical direction to assigned CAD Design and Release Engineers.
• Lead cross-functional activities with Vehicle Dynamics, Safety, Quality, Software, ADAS, Manufacturing, NVH, Homologation and other key stakeholders.
• Ensure Lotus technical requirements and KPIs are understood and robustly delivered throughout the development process.
• Authorise the technical approval and release of 3D data, 2D drawings and supporting engineering documentation in line with internal and external standards.
• Develop and manage key technical documentation including Engineering Specifications, DFMEAs, DVPs and Design Concept Sheets.
• Lead the resolution of complex hardware and software issues throughout vehicle development.
• Drive development vehicles fitted with prototype hardware and software to evaluate, diagnose and resolve issues and support road release activities.
• Ensure robust design validation through appropriate CAE simulation, rig testing and vehicle-level validation.
• Identify potential failure modes, develop appropriate countermeasures and ensure solutions are successfully verified.
• Drive the timely resolution of development issues through the Lotus Issues Management System (IMS).
• Generate and maintain Bills of Materials through the Lotus PLM system.
• Support Purchasing with the technical assessment, selection and nomination of supplier partners.
• Work with suppliers to ensure components meet technical specification, quality, cost and timing requirements.
• Support the recruitment, development and technical capability of Chassis team members.
• Provide technical leadership to Engineers, lead technical meetings and guide issues through to resolution.
• Travel to other sites when required to support vehicle and project activities.

What You'll Bring

We're looking for an experienced automotive Engineer with extensive knowledge of chassis and suspension systems, together with a strong understanding of how these systems influence overall vehicle performance.

You’ll Ideally Bring

• A degree, or equivalent qualification/experience, in Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering discipline.
• Strong technical knowledge of the definition, design and verification of suspension systems.
• In-depth knowledge of structural suspension components, including knuckles, hubs, bearings and control arms.
• Knowledge of compliant mounting systems, vertical motion control and roll control.
• Strong understanding of Vehicle Dynamics and the relationship between suspension systems and vehicle-level attributes.
• Excellent knowledge of complete vehicle systems, ideally within sports cars or high-performance vehicles.
• Experience of suspension electrical and software architectures and their integration within the wider vehicle architecture.
• Experience of technical project management within an automotive or product delivery environment.
• Experience working within OEM product development processes and gateway requirements, from concept through to Start of Production (SoP).
• Experience of virtual and physical verification and validation processes.
• Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to lead complex technical issues through to resolution.
• Experience using Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) systems.
• Experience with CAD systems, ideally CATIA V5.
• Strong communication and presentation skills, with the ability to influence cross-functional teams and technical stakeholders.
• Previous technical leadership or management experience.
• The ability to make autonomous decisions while working effectively as part of a wider engineering team.
• A structured and methodical approach with excellent attention to detail.
• The ability to remain focused and effective in a fast‑paced development environment.
• A self‑motivated and adaptable approach with a drive to deliver outstanding results.
• Fluency in written and spoken English.
• A full UK driving licence.

It would be great if you also have

• Experience using Teamcenter.
• Experience within sports car, performance vehicle or premium automotive engineering.
• Knowledge of emerging chassis and suspension technologies.
• Experience leading and developing engineering teams.

Our culture

At Lotus, we believe in pushing boundaries and creating vehicles that deliver an exceptional driving experience. Our values – Respect, One Team, Ambition and Drive (ROAD) – shape how we work together and how we approach every challenge.

This role is based at our Hethel site in Norfolk, with some travel to other locations and suppliers required depending on project needs.

If you have a passion for chassis engineering, vehicle dynamics and delivering world‑class vehicle systems, we'd love to hear from you.

I’ve positioned it as a senior technical leadership role rather than a generic engineering advert, while keeping the suspension, vehicle dynamics, CATIA/PLM and vehicle‑development requirements prominent for searchability.

What We Offer

• We provideaccess to a Company Carscheme (ECOS) to make your commutes smoother!
• 25 Vacation Days + Bank Holidays: Recharge, explore, or binge-watch your favorite series with plenty of time to relax and enjoy life outside of work.
• Performance Bonus: Get rewarded for your hard work with an exciting, non-contractual bonus scheme—because great effort deserves great perks.
• Future-Proof Pension: Plan for your tomorrow while thriving today with a solid pension scheme to keep your future bright.
• Private Healthcare: Stay healthy and stress‑free with premium healthcare coverage tailored to keep you at your best.

Additional Information

• This role will be working from our Hethel plantwithin our flexible working policy, however the role will need to be on-site most of the time.

Our Company

Group Lotus is a leading sports car manufacturer with over 75-year long history of iconic designs, groundbreaking engineering and legendary victories on the F1 track. Today we are transforming into a truly global performance car brand focused on the electrical future. In 2022 welaunched the Eletre, the world’s first all‑electric hyper‑SUV, and in 2023 our fully‑electric Hyper‑GT, Emeya.

As part of the Lotus team, you push boundaries. Those of the car industry and of your own. Every member of the Lotus family has some of the pioneering mindset of founder Colin Chapman in them.

Hethel, Norfolk, England has been the home of Lotus for over 60 years, ever since Colin Chapman, our founder, started making championship-winning racing cars.In conjunction with production facilities in Norwich, and research facilities near Warwick, our UK sites offer a wide breadth of roles for all disciplines.

We’re not just a car company; we’re a diverse mix of talent from all walks of life. At Group Lotus, we firmly believe that diversity and inclusion are not just buzzwords but essential pillars of a thriving and successful organisation. Read more here: Equity, Diversity & Inclusion in Lotus Cars.

Do you want to know what Sophisticated, Rebellious and Pioneering mean for Lotus Cars Limited? Come and take a look at our career siteand join the incredible adventure:https://lotusukmanufacturing.teamtailor.com/