Senior SQD Engineer Powertrain

McLaren Automotive Ltd; Woking; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Career development opportunities

Flexible holiday options

Enhanced pension contributions

Annual bonus potential

Private healthcare

Family-friendly policies

Wellbeing initiatives

Sabbatical after two years

Job summary

McLaren Automotive is seeking a Supplier Quality & Development professional to own the global powertrain supplier base, ensuring quality across components, programmes and supplier relationships. Based in the UK with a global remit, you will collaborate with Engineering, Purchasing and Manufacturing to drive excellence.

You will lead APQP/PPAP activities, assess and develop suppliers, monitor performance, and help integrate designs for manufacture while maintaining world-class standards across

Qualifications

• Proven experience within Supplier Quality, Supplier Development or Quality Engineering in an automotive OEM environment.
• Strong understanding of powertrain manufacturing processes (machining, casting, forging, assembly, welding, sealing, pumps, cooling systems).
• Expertise in APQP, PPAP, FMEA, MSA and SPC; experience with 8D and DMAIC.
• Knowledge of IATF16949 and AIAG standards; ability to influence senior stakeholders.
• Engineering degree; additional languages advantageous.
• Excellent communication and organisational skills; global mindset and willingness to travel.

Responsibilities

• Manage a global portfolio of powertrain suppliers covering engines, transmissions, cooling systems, exhausts and associated components throughout the full product lifecycle.
• Assess, qualify and develop suppliers to ensure robust manufacturing capability, quality performance and long-term supply resilience.
• Lead APQP and PPAP activities, ensuring successful delivery of new components and assemblies from concept through to production approval.
• Collaborate with Engineering teams to ensure designs are optimised for manufacture across processes including machining, casting, assembly, welding, heat treatment and cooling system production.
• Support programme launches by working closely with suppliers to achieve quality, timing and delivery targets.
• Monitor supplier performance through audits, KPI reviews and governance activities, driving continuous improvement where required.
• Identify risks early, implement effective mitigation plans and lead the resolution of critical supplier issues.
• Develop supplier capability and contribute to the ongoing evolution of McLaren's Supplier Quality & Development function.

Skills

Supplier Quality

Quality Engineering

APQP PPAP

FMEA MSA SPC

8D DMAIC

Communication

Travel ready

Education

Engineering degree

Tools

APQP

PPAP

FMEA

MSA

SPC

Job description

What to Expect

At McLaren Automotive, we never stand still. As we continue to evolve our multi-propulsion strategy and shape the future of high-performance vehicles, we're strengthening our Supplier Quality & Development team to ensure world-class quality across every component, every programme, and every supplier relationship.

We're looking for an experienced Supplier Quality professional to take ownership of a global powertrain supply base, working with some of the most critical components that define the performance, durability and reliability of our vehicles. If you thrive in fast-paced environments, enjoy solving complex challenges, and are passionate about developing supplier capability, we'd love to hear from you.

This is an opportunity to play a key role in delivering exceptional quality across our powertrain supply chain. You'll work with suppliers across the world, supporting everything from sourcing and industrialisation through to vehicle launch and series production. Based in the UK with a global remit, you'll partner closely with Engineering, Purchasing and Manufacturing teams while helping suppliers achieve the standards expected of a world-class automotive brand.

You’ll combine strategic thinking with hands-on supplier engagement, influencing senior stakeholders, driving continuous improvement, and ensuring every supplier is capable of delivering outstanding results.

What You'll Do

• Manage a global portfolio of powertrain suppliers covering engines, transmissions, cooling systems, exhausts and associated components throughout the full product lifecycle.
• Assess, qualify and develop suppliers to ensure robust manufacturing capability, quality performance and long-term supply resilience.
• Lead APQP and PPAP activities, ensuring successful delivery of new components and assemblies from concept through to production approval.
• Collaborate with Engineering teams to ensure designs are optimised for manufacture across processes including machining, casting, assembly, welding, heat treatment and cooling system production.
• Support programme launches by working closely with suppliers to achieve quality, timing and delivery targets.
• Monitor supplier performance through audits, KPI reviews and governance activities, driving continuous improvement where required.
• Identify risks early, implement effective mitigation plans and lead the resolution of critical supplier issues.
• Develop supplier capability and contribute to the ongoing evolution of McLaren's Supplier Quality & Development function.

What You'll Bring

• Proven experience within Supplier Quality, Supplier Development or Quality Engineering in an automotive OEM environment.
• Strong understanding of powertrain manufacturing processes, including machining, casting, forging, assembly, balancing, welding, sealing, pumps and cooling systems.
• Expertise in automotive quality tools including APQP, PPAP, FMEA, MSA and SPC, alongside structured problem-solving methodologies such as 8D and DMAIC.
• Thorough knowledge of IATF16949, AIAG standards and supplier quality best practice.
• The ability to assess manufacturing capability, identify risks and influence supplier organisations at all levels, including senior leadership teams.
• A degree in an engineering or related technical discipline. Additional languages would be advantageous.
• Excellent communication skills, strong organisational capability and a collaborative approach to delivering complex programmes.
• A global mindset, willingness to travel, and the drive to make a lasting impact within a high-performance automotive environment.

What We'll Do for You

• Career development opportunities
• Flexible holiday options
• Enhanced pension contributions
• Annual bonus potential
• Private healthcare
• Family-friendly policies
• Wellbeing initiatives
• The opportunity to take a sabbatical after just two years with the business

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.