Supplier Quality Development (SQD) Engineer

McLaren Group; Old Woking; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

McLaren Automotive is seeking a Supplier Quality Engineer to lead APQP/PPAP activities with global suppliers across propulsion and composites. The role focuses on quality planning, supplier audits, and issue resolution to ensure successful launches and ongoing performance.

Responsibilities include collaboration with Engineering and Purchasing, ensuring IATF16949 compliance, monitoring KPIs, and driving risk mitigation in a fast-paced, world-class automotive environment.

Qualifications

• Degree-level technical engineering qualification or equivalent
• Experience in supplier quality within complex manufacturing environments (OEM automotive preferred)
• Strong APQP/PPAP and 8D problem-solving capabilities

Responsibilities

• Assess new global supplier sites to ensure competent and reliable supply base
• Ensure suppliers meet IATF16949 certification per nomination plans
• Collaborate with Engineering and Purchasing to nominate capable suppliers
• Provide APQP/PPAP support and track approvals per commodity timing plans
• Track PPAP approvals and deliveries against milestones
• Lead supplier audits to verify continued compliance with McLaren standards
• Monitor supplier performance via KPIs and quality metrics
• Drive risk mitigation and cross-functional governance with suppliers
• Support continuous improvement and cost/quality targets across launches
• Deliver quality and capacity verification aligned with MDP targets

Skills

APQP

PPAP

FMEA

MSA

IATF16949

GD&T

DMAIC

SQE

Education

Engineering degree

Tools

SAP

CATIA

Job description

We are hiring 6x SQD Engineers. Please note we will consider locations in Bicester & Woking.

Please see commodities below:

• 3 x ICE Propulsion
• 1x Composites
• 2x Electrical Propulsion

What to Expect

Operating primarily from the UK with a global remit, you will support suppliers throughout the product lifecycle-from sourcing and industrialisation to series production-ensuring successful launches and ongoing performance. This role is supplier-facing and hands-on, with responsibilities including process feasibility, quality planning, and issue resolution.

What You'll Do

• Conduct thorough assessments of new global supplier sites to ensure a competent and reliable supply base.
• Ensure non-IATF16949 suppliers achieve certification in line with approved nomination plans.
• Collaborate with Engineering and Purchasing to select and nominate capable suppliers aligned with programme requirements.
• Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) & PPAP Support and implement APQP for all new tooled parts, ensuring timely and robust completion of activities.
• Work with Engineering and suppliers to complete PPAPs according to commodity timing plans and track approvals against delivery milestones.
• Provide progress reporting to Purchasing and SQD Programme teams, covering APQP open issues, PPAP pedigree, and delivery forecasts.
• Manage non-PPAP part concessions to ensure a 'Plan for Every Part' is in place for build support.
• Design for Manufacturing (DFM) & Process Feasibility Collaborate with Engineering and suppliers to refine product designs and define feasible manufacturing processes that meet quality and delivery targets.
• Ensure suppliers meet launch and delivery commitments in line with APQP requirements.
• Manage suppliers during series production to maintain PPAP compliance and resolve quality, capacity, and delivery concerns.
• Conduct annual supplier audits to verify continued compliance with McLaren standards and regulatory requirements.
• Monitor supplier performance through KPIs and quality metrics, ensuring sustained capability and delivery.
• Facilitate regular governance reviews with key suppliers to address risks, elevate issues, and drive continuous improvement.
• Identify critical suppliers and parts requiring cross-functional engagement and oversight.
• Implement risk mitigation strategies to prevent supply chain disruptions and ensure business continuity.
• Identify critical suppliers and parts requiring cross-functional engagement.
• Drive resolution of major open issues, ensuring supplier senior management is actively involved.
• Deliver quality and capacity verification in line with McLaren Development Process (MDP) targets.
• Develop and implement improvement strategies with suppliers to enhance performance and capability.

What You'll Bring

• Strong understanding of the end-to-end supply chains within typical automotive OEM supplier networks.
• In-depth knowledge of automotive OEM manufacturing processes.
• Proficient in analysing programme plans and assessing suppliers' capability to deliver high-quality components on time, aligned with key project milestones.
• Able to plan and oversee the full manufacturing process at the supplier-from goods receipt to final dispatch-when required.
• Skilled in scenario planning to identify risks and define effective mitigation strategies as needed.
• Language: Fluent in English (oral & written).
• Qualifications: Degree-level qualification in a technical engineering discipline or equivalent practical experience.
• Commodity Expertise: Must possess deep commodity expertise, including a strong understanding of supplier manufacturing processes, tooling requirements, and typical quality and delivery risks associated with their commodity area.
• Supplier Quality Expertise: Proven experience in SQA/SQE roles, including leading suppliers through multiple new model launches.
• Core Quality Tools: PPAP, MSA, APQP, FMEA, SPC.
• Structured Problem Solving: 8D and DMAIC methodologies.
• Quality Management Systems: IATF16949 and AIAG standard practices.
• Engineering Standards: Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing (GD&T).
• Digital & Systems Competence: Proficient in Microsoft Office applications (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint), SAP, and CATIA.
• Motivated and Professional: Highly driven team player who leads by example, acts with integrity, and can professionally represent a world-class automotive brand.
• Effective Communicator: Strong written and verbal communication skills in English and Mandarin, with the ability to engage confidently across all levels internally and externally, including suppliers.
• Organised and Delivery‑Focused: Well‑structured and dependable, with a proven track record of delivering results on time in high‑pressure, fast‑paced environments.
• Independent and Adaptable: Self‑sufficient with the ability to prioritise workload, request support when needed, and thrive in dynamic, evolving start‑up settings.
• Quick Learner with Global Perspective: Fast learner with experience working across Chinese and Western cultures; flexible in work patterns and willing to travel extensively, including at short notice.
• Technically Qualified and Experienced: Degree‑educated in a relevant discipline, with at least 3 years' experience in a complex manufacturing environment‑OEM automotive preferred.
• Supplier Quality Expertise: Previous experience in Supplier Quality functions, including launching products into production and applying IATF16949 and AIAG standards.
• Problem Solving and Coaching Skills: Skilled in using, training, and coaching standard practical problem‑solving tools.

Candidates will be considered for a role within a specific commodity group based upon their demonstrated experience. Commodity groups are: Electrical Systems & Electronics, EV propulsion & HV Systems, Body-in-White (BIW), Chassis, Interior and Exterior trim.

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