Senior Test Driver

McLaren; Woking; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days holiday

Enhanced pension

Private medical insurance

Life assurance

Sabbatical option

Job summary

McLaren Automotive seeks a Senior Test Driver to support development of future performance road cars. You will work with cross-functional teams, tuning dynamic attributes and validating at test circuits worldwide, including national tests and McLaren campuses.

The role demands extensive motorsport experience, a mechanical background, and a passion for pushing limits in both on-track and off-site environments.

Qualifications

• Experience in high performance car development.
• Experience in quality assessment and issues identification.
• Extensive motorsport background as a driver.

Responsibilities

• Develop and tune dynamic attributes such as suspension, aero and drive train components.
• Prepare press cars and conduct vehicle shakedowns.
• Drive in limit conditions and provide data-driven feedback for development.

Skills

High performance car development

Quality assessment

Track knowledge

Motorsport background

Car setup expertise

Mechanical understanding

Education

Mechanical Degree

Tools

Nürburgring Nordschleife knowledge

Job description

Senior Test DriverRef #59459Date postedTuesday, September 22, 2026CountryUnited KingdomLocationWokingBusiness areaProduct DevelopmentDepartmentPD - VI - CAE - DURPosition level5 - Supervisory / Professional - (L-17)Working timeFull TimeContract typePermanentWorking pattern9am - 6pm Monday to FridaySalary.What to ExpectReporting directly to the Chief Test Driver, this individual is driven to support an innovative and collaborative atmosphere. Working in a small team of test drivers with close cooperation with dynamic, durability, drive train and NVH engineers, testing and developing future McLaren Automotive vehicles. Primarily off‐site at national and international test circuits and proving grounds (typically >75% off‐site). Regular travel and occasional work at McLaren campus.What You'll Do* To develop and tune dynamic attributes: shock absorber, spring and roll bars, aero, steering, tires, engine and drive train, ABS and Electronic Stability systems, brake systems.* FOKs* Press car preparation* Vehicle Shakedown* A & B driving permit* Pure McLaren Events* Vehicle Development* Limit* Subjective signoffWhat You'll Bring* Experience in high performance car development* Experience in quality assessment and issues identification* Driving in limit condition* Consistency during hot laps sessions using same line and same driving style (lap time decay to stay inside tyre and engine degradation)* Fixed driving style: not adapt driving style to the vehicle* More feedforward control. Feedback control only to recover car instability* Ultimate lap time performance* Racing experience* Track knowledge (Nardo’, Castelloli, Alcarras, Silverstone, Hockenheim, Spa, Paul Ricard and all possible pure event tracks)* Nürburgring Nordschleife specialist or equivalent circuit expertise beneficial.* Natural interest in mechanical background* Mechanical understanding* Mechanical Degree is beneficial* Extensive motorsport background as a driver. Mainly asphalt but ice/gravel experience also valuable. GT3, DTM, WRC2, or higher.* Extensive experience and understanding in the art of car set up and collaboration with chassis and drivetrain engineers to bring a vehicle through development and to desired target of performance.* Genuine interest in the “whole product” incl NVH, quality, technical solutions, teamwork, work procedures.What We'll Do for YouWe 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 adviceWho 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.