Snr SQD Engineer Composites Automotive

McLaren Automotive Ltd; Woking; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Holiday allowance

Enhanced pension scheme

Discretionary annual bonus

Private medical insurance

Life assurance

Sabbatical option

Wellbeing program

Job summary

McLaren Automotive in Woking seeks a supplier quality professional to lead QA activities across sourcing, industrialisation, launch and series production, ensuring quality and delivery targets are met with key suppliers.

You will drive APQP/PPAP and manufacturing feasibility, coach others, and help grow the SQD team while mitigating programme risks and promoting continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Experience in Supplier Quality, Supplier Development or Quality Engineering within automotive or motorsport manufacturing.
• Strong understanding of APQP, PPAP, FMEA, MSA and SPC with experience supporting products through development and launch.
• Knowledge of aluminium body structures, body panels and/or composite manufacturing processes, including carbon fibre technologies.
• Expertise in GD&T, measurement techniques and quality requirements relating to fit, finish and appearance.

Responsibilities

• Lead supplier quality activities from sourcing and industrialisation through to launch and series production, ensuring quality, delivery and performance expectations are achieved across your supplier portfolio.
• Drive APQP, PPAP and manufacturing feasibility activities, helping suppliers establish robust and capable processes while proactively identifying and mitigating programme risks.
• Lead cross-functional problem-solving and continuous improvement initiatives, influencing stakeholders across Engineering, Purchasing, Manufacturing and Supplier organisations to deliver the best outcomes for McLaren.
• Develop supplier capability and support the growth of the wider SQD team through coaching, knowledge sharing and the transfer of best practice, helping to build long-term organisational capability.
• Lead departmental workstreams focused on improving SQD processes, procedures and ways of working, supporting the continued evolution of the function.
• Create clear, data-driven reporting and deliver concise updates and recommendations to senior stakeholders, ensuring risks, progress and priorities are understood and actioned.
• Provide leadership and support across the wider SQD team, acting as a trusted point of contact and providing additional support during management absence when required.

Skills

APQP/PPAP

FMEA/MSA/SPC

GD&T

Aluminium bodies

Composite processes

Supplier development

Quality engineering

Education

Degree in Engineering

Job description

What to Expect

You'll be part of the BIW & Composites team within McLaren's Supplier Quality & Development function, working closely with cross-functional teams and suppliers to protect quality, delivery and launch readiness across key vehicle programmes.

This is a hands-on supplier-facing role with real influence. You'll support the development of a capable, self-sufficient supply base, helping suppliers meet McLaren's standards through sourcing, APQP, manufacturing feasibility, PPAP, launch support and ongoing improvement activity.

You'll bring technical knowledge of body panel manufacture, aluminium processes and/or composite part production, alongside a strong understanding of measurement, GD&T and the quality expectations required to achieve class-leading fit, finish and aesthetic standards.

What You'll Do

• Lead supplier quality activities from sourcing and industrialisation through to launch and series production, ensuring quality, delivery and performance expectations are achieved across your supplier portfolio.
• Drive APQP, PPAP and manufacturing feasibility activities, helping suppliers establish robust and capable processes while proactively identifying and mitigating programme risks.
• Lead cross-functional problem-solving and continuous improvement initiatives, influencing stakeholders across Engineering, Purchasing, Manufacturing and Supplier organisations to deliver the best outcomes for McLaren.
• Develop supplier capability and support the growth of the wider SQD team through coaching, knowledge sharing and the transfer of best practice, helping to build long-term organisational capability.
• Lead departmental workstreams focused on improving SQD processes, procedures and ways of working, supporting the continued evolution of the function.
• Create clear, data-driven reporting and deliver concise updates and recommendations to senior stakeholders, ensuring risks, progress and priorities are understood and actioned.
• Provide leadership and support across the wider SQD team, acting as a trusted point of contact and providing additional support during management absence when required.

What You'll Bring

• Experience in Supplier Quality, Supplier Development or Quality Engineering within automotive, motorsport or a similarly complex manufacturing environment.
• Strong understanding of APQP, PPAP, FMEA, MSA and SPC, with experience supporting products through development and launch.
• Knowledge of aluminium body structures, body panels and/or composite manufacturing processes, including carbon fibre technologies.
• Expertise in GD&T, measurement techniques and quality requirements relating to fit, finish and appearance.
• Demonstrated experience coaching and developing others, with the ability to share knowledge, influence peers and support the growth of less experienced team members.
• Strong presentation and communication skills, with experience translating complex technical topics into clear messages for senior and cross-functional audiences.
• Experience leading improvement projects or business workstreams, with a track record of delivering sustainable process and procedural improvements.
• The ability to assess manufacturing capability, identify risks and influence both internal and supplier stakeholders.
• A structured and analytical approach to problem-solving, using methodologies such as 8D to deliver sustainable improvements.
• Degree qualified in Engineering, or equivalent industry experience.
• The ability to operate independently, make sound decisions and provide leadership support within a high-performing team environment.
• A proactive, organised and collaborative approach, with the flexibility to travel when required.

What We'll Do for You

• 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 advice

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.