SQD Senior Launch Engineer

McLaren Automotive Ltd; Woking; On-site; GBP 75,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days holiday

Enhanced pension

Discretionary annual bonus

Private medical insurance

Life assurance

Sabbatical after 2 years

Wellbeing programme

Job summary

McLaren Automotive Ltd in Woking is seeking a SQD Senior Launch Engineer to own supplier quality readiness for the next generation of high-performance vehicles. You will lead quality activities across pre-production builds, drive issue resolution, and ensure supplier maturity ahead of every vehicle build.

You will coordinate with Engineering, Manufacturing, Purchasing and suppliers, manage PPAP approvals and concessions, develop KPIs from launch data, and influence stakeholders to meet quality,

Qualifications

• Experience in automotive supplier quality within an OEM or Tier 1 environment.
• Delivered launches from industrialisation through to production.
• Proficient in APQP, PPAP, FMEA, MSA and SPC.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes and supply chains.
• Experience assessing supplier readiness and influencing cross-functional stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead supplier quality support during pre-production builds and vehicle launch activities.
• Drive structured problem-solving and containment for quality concerns.
• Manage supplier readiness, PPAP approvals and launch risk assessments.
• Coordinate suppliers, resident engineers and inspection teams to ensure robust containment and quality performance.
• Monitor product maturity across build phases and escalate risks with recovery plans.
• Partner with Manufacturing, Purchasing and Programme teams to align supplier quality activities with programme objectives.
• Use launch data and build feedback to develop KPIs and identify trends.

Skills

Supplier Quality

New Product Launch

APQP/PPAP

Risk Management

Stakeholder Influence

Engineering Knowledge

Education

Engineering Degree

Tools

SAP

CATIA

MS Office

Job description

We are currently recruiting for a SQD Senior Launch Engineer to be based in Woking

Take ownership of supplier quality readiness across the launch of McLaren's next generation of high-performance vehicles.

Work at the heart of vehicle programmes, partnering with Engineering, Manufacturing, Purchasing and suppliers to ensure quality, timing and capacity targets are achieved.

Lead quality activities during pre-production builds, driving issue resolution and supplier performance in a fast-paced launch environment.

Influence key stakeholders and suppliers to ensure components reach the required level of maturity ahead of every vehicle build.

What You'll Do

• Lead supplier quality support throughout pre-production builds and vehicle launch activities.
• Drive structured problem-solving and containment activities for quality concerns, ensuring issues are resolved quickly and effectively.
• Manage supplier readiness, including PPAP approvals, concessions and launch risk assessments.
• Coordinate suppliers, resident engineers and third-party inspection teams to deliver robust containment and quality performance.
• Monitor product maturity through each build phase, escalating risks and driving recovery plans where required.
• Partner with Manufacturing, Purchasing and Programme teams to align supplier quality activities with programme objectives.
• Use launch data and build feedback to develop KPIs, identify trends and drive

What You'll Bring

• Proven Supplier Quality experience within an Automotive OEM, Tier 1 supplier or high-performance manufacturing environment.
• Successful delivery of new product or vehicle launches from industrialisation through to production.
• Strong knowledge of automotive quality tools including APQP, PPAP, FMEA, MSA, SPC and structured problem-solving methodologies.
• A solid understanding of manufacturing processes, supply chains and supplier development.
• Experience assessing supplier readiness, managing risk and influencing cross-functional stakeholders.
• Degree qualified in Engineering or a related technical discipline, or equivalent industry experience.
• Working knowledge of SAP, CATIA and Microsoft Office.

Person Attributes

• A proactive engineer who takes ownership and enjoys solving complex technical challenges.
• A strong communicator who can confidently influence suppliers and internal stakeholders.
• Organised, resilient and comfortable managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced programme environment.
• A collaborative team player who leads with professionalism, integrity and accountability.
• Passionate about quality, continuous improvement and delivering exceptional products.

What We'll Do for You

We offer a wide – ranging benefits package, which includes:

• 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.