Prototype Build Lead for High-Performance Vehicles

McLaren Automotive Ltd; Woking; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days holiday

Enhanced pension scheme

Discretionary annual bonus

Private medical insurance

Life assurance

Sabbatical opportunity

Wellbeing programme

Job summary

McLaren Automotive in Woking seeks a Prototype Build Engineer to lead end-to-end prototype and rolling chassis builds, ensuring safety, efficiency and adherence to design intent. You will head the prototype workshop, coordinating engineering, design and logistics teams to deliver development vehicles that support programme, validation and attribute activities.

The role requires a hands-on leader with a strong workshop presence, experienced in low-volume, high-performance vehicle development and

Responsibilities

• Lead the physical build, assembly, commissioning and sign-off of prototype vehicles.
• Own vehicle delivery from build initiation through to workshop completion, audit and customer handover.
• Develop and maintain detailed build plans that support programme timing and development requirements.
• Coordinate all workshop activities to ensure vehicle build schedules are achieved safely, efficiently and to the required quality standards.
• Provide technical leadership and day-to-day direction to prototype build technicians throughout all build phases.
• Support technicians with complex assembly activities, engineering concerns and build feasibility issues.
• Ensure adherence to build standards, manufacturing processes, engineering specifications and safe systems of work.
• Promote a culture of excellence, accountability and continuous improvement within the workshop environment.
• Lead containment and recovery activities when build timing, quality or specification targets are at risk.
• Act as the primary engineering representative within the prototype build workshop.
• Work closely with design, development and attribute engineering teams to resolve build issues and improve vehicle maturity.
• Lead investigation, containment and resolution of vehicle build concerns, ensuring issues are documented and tracked to closure.
• Manage engineering changes and specification deviations, ensuring all modifications are approved, documented and communicated.
• Support Design Reviews, Build Reviews, DFMEA and cross-functional engineering activities to improve manufacturability and vehicle quality.
• Develop and continuously improve prototype build processes, assembly methods and workshop procedures.
• Create and maintain build documentation, process instructions, build records and traceability systems.
• Drive lessons learned and continuous improvement activities from each build phase to improve future vehicle programmes.
• Support virtual build assessments and manufacturing feasibility reviews prior to physical build commencement.
• Identify opportunities to improve safety, quality, efficiency, ergonomics and build repeatability within the prototype environment.
• Support the development of timing plans, build sequences and labour estimates for future programmes.
• Work closely with logistics and procurement teams to ensure material availability supports build schedules.
• Monitor critical parts availability and manage escalation of shortages affecting vehicle build completion.
• Support the implementation of robust parts traceability and inventory control processes throughout prototype builds.
• Coordinate prototype parts usage, allocation and vehicle configuration management.
• Ensure all vehicles are commissioned, functionally validated and prepared for engineering use.
• Lead vehicle audit activities to confirm build quality and specification compliance.
• Manage vehicle build documentation and configuration records, including virtual vehicle records and engineering databases.
• Support vehicle dynamic sign-off activities and customer handover in accordance with the Prototype Build Process.
• Support programme timing, budget and resource planning activities.
• Provide regular build status updates and risk assessments to programme leadership teams.
• Monitor build expenditure and support cost control activities throughout the vehicle build programme.
• Contribute to programme planning from concept through to vehicle delivery.
• Champion safe working practices within the prototype workshop.
• Ensure compliance with all company Health & Safety policies, procedures and safe systems of work.
• Support the development of a positive workshop culture focused on safety, quality and continuous improvement.
• Maintain and promote company values, professional behaviours and housekeeping standards.

Job description

McLaren Automotive in Woking seeks a Prototype Build Engineer to lead end-to-end prototype and rolling chassis builds, ensuring safety, efficiency and adherence to design intent. You will head the prototype workshop, coordinating engineering, design and logistics teams to deliver development vehicles that support programme, validation and attribute activities.

The role requires a hands-on leader with a strong workshop presence, experienced in low-volume, high-performance vehicle development and