Supplier Quality Engineering Graduate

McLaren Racing; Old Woking; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days holiday + bank holidays

Enhanced company pension

Discretionary annual bonus

Private medical insurance

Life assurance

Wellbeing initiatives

Experience our cars

Job summary

McLaren Automotive is recruiting Graduates to join our Supplier Quality Engineering team at the McLaren Technology Centre in Woking, Surrey. As a Supplier Quality Engineer Graduate, you will support audits, drive continuous improvement, and resolve quality issues from prototype through to series production in a two-year rotating programme.

Across four rotations, you will gain hands-on experience in supplier quality lifecycle, APQP/PPAP, data analysis, and cross-functional collaboration,

Qualifications

• Must have achieved a 2:1 in a relevant degree (Mechanical, Manufacturing, Industrial, Automotive Engineering, Supply Chain).
• Passion for quality engineering and supplier partnerships.
• Strong analytical and structured problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced, high-performance environment.
• Knowledge of manufacturing processes and quality tools (8D, FMEA, Six Sigma) is desirable.
• Desirable traits: quality-first mindset, analytical thinking, collaboration, problem-solving, adaptability, resilience, ownership, AI proficiency, commercial awareness.

Responsibilities

• Conduct supplier quality audits and capability assessments.
• Support APQP and PPAP for new model introductions.
• Analyse incoming part quality data to spot trends and risks.
• Lead root cause investigations and drive corrective actions.
• Work cross-functionally to resolve supplier issues.
• Monitor and report supplier performance metrics (defect rates, delivery).
• Support continuous improvement initiatives within the supply base.
• Coordinate containment actions to protect production.

Skills

Quality engineering

Analytical thinking

Cross-functional collaboration

Manufacturing knowledge

Quality tools (8D, FMEA, Six Sigma)

AI proficiency

Education

2:1 in Mechanical/Manufacturing/Industrial/Automotive Engineering or Supply Chain

Job description

We are recruiting for Graduates to join our Supplier Quality Engineering team at the McLaren Technology Centre in Woking, Surrey. As a Supplier Quality Engineer Graduate, you will play a key role in ensuring our suppliers deliver components that meet McLaren's uncompromising standards for quality, performance, and reliability. Through structured rotations and on-the-job experience, you will learn how to work closely with suppliers across our global network, supporting audits, driving continuous improvement, and resolving quality issues from prototype through to series production. This is a two-year rotational programme (4 × 6 months) designed to develop your technical expertise, commercial understanding, and leadership capability, preparing you for a permanent role within McLaren's Supplier Quality Engineering function. Please note this is an onsite position. What You'll Do Across your four structured rotations, you will gain hands-on experience across the full supplier quality lifecycle.

• Conducting supplier quality audits and capability assessments.
• Supporting Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) and Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) for new model introductions.
• Analysing incoming part quality data to spot trends and identify potential risks.
• Leading small-scale root cause analysis investigations and driving corrective actions.
• Working cross-functionally to ensure supplier issues are resolved effectively and sustainably.
• Monitoring and reporting supplier performance metrics such as defect rates and delivery adherence.
• Supporting continuous improvement initiatives within the supply base.
• Coordinating containment actions to protect production when quality concerns arise.

Throughout the programme, you will also take part in professional development workshops, innovation challenges, and technical knowledge-sharing sessions to build both your engineering capability and leadership potential.

What You'll Bring

• You must have achieved, or be on track to achieve, at least a 2:1 in a relevant degree, such as Mechanical, Manufacturing, Industrial, Automotive Engineering, Supply Chain Management etc.
• A passion for quality engineering and working in partnership with suppliers.
• Strong analytical and structured problem-solving skills.
• The ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced, high-performance environment.
• Some knowledge of manufacturing processes, quality tools (e.g., 8D, FMEA, Six Sigma), or supplier management would be advantageous., We're looking for individuals who are detail-driven, resilient, and committed to delivering excellence. Desirable traits include:
• Quality-first mindset - an obsession with precision, accuracy, and "right first time" thinking.
• Analytical thinker - able to interpret data and identify improvement opportunities.
• Collaborative approach - works effectively with suppliers, engineers, and cross-functional teams.
• Problem-solving focus - applies structured thinking to find practical, sustainable solutions.
• Adaptability - comfortable navigating different projects and shifting priorities.
• Resilience - stays positive and proactive when faced with challenges.
• Ownership - takes responsibility for tasks and drives them to completion.
• AI proficiency - comfortable using AI tools ethically and effectively to support learning, productivity, innovation, and problem-solving.
• Commercial awareness - understands the balance between cost, quality, and delivery. 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 - they drive our innovation and enables us to truly create something special. Join us on our journey.

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

• 25 days' holiday, plus bank holidays. 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.
• Benefits you can adapt to your lifestyle, such as discounted shopping.
• A range of wellbeing initiatives, such as an employee assistance programme and free financial & mortgage advice.
• Opportunities to experience our incredible cars.