Engineering Manager - Finishing

McLaren Automotive Ltd; Sheffield (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 161,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days holiday

Pension scheme

Discretionary bonus

Private medical insurance

Life assurance

Sabbatical leave

Wellbeing programme

Job summary

McLaren Automotive seeks a Finishing Engineering Manager to lead the introduction and industrialisation of finishing technologies, materials and processes for high-value manufacturing. You will own the process flow from moulded part to packaged finished part and drive safe, capable, cost-effective processes to McLaren quality standards.

You will lead cross-functional delivery, ensure readiness for launch, and manage budgets and supplier readiness while developing cost models to support business

Qualifications

• Significant experience in composite finishing, assembly, production launch or similar high-value manufacturing.
• Experience leading engineering teams and cross-functional delivery through complex launches.
• APQP, PFMEA, DFM and readiness reviews experience.
• Ability to develop cost models and support capital proposals.

Responsibilities

• Represent finishing engineering in launch and governance forums; escalate strategic decisions.
• Lead, coach and develop the finishing engineering team.
• Track launch performance, risks, issues and mitigation plans.
• Coordinate cross-functional delivery to meet safety, quality, timing and budget targets.
• Deliver manufacturing readiness from G‑2 to production handover for all processes.
• Ensure facilities, equipment, people, processes and supply chains are ready and validated for launch.
• Lead capacity planning and ramp-up across finishing processes.
• Manage CAPEX introductions and industrialisation of materials and technologies.
• Ensure DFM, PFMEA and APQP activities meet takt time and quality targets.
• Identify risks and implement mitigation plans; manage launch budgets.
• Develop product and process cost models to support business cases.

Skills

Composite finishing

Deflashing & trimming

Process improvement

APQP

Cost modelling

Supplier management

Data analysis

Problem solving

Education

Engineering degree

Materials Science / Manufacturing

Tools

Virtual builds

Job description

What to Expect

Reporting to the Head of Engineering Launch, the Finishing Engineering Manager leads the introduction and industrialisation of finishing technologies, materials, equipment and processes at MCTC. The role owns the process flow from receipt of the moulded part through to the packaged finished part, including deflashing, surface preparation, post-curing, fastening, bonding, assembly, inspection and packaging. Upstream moulding processes are outside the scope of this role. The role manages engineering delivery from horizon (G‑2) to Start of Production (SOP), ensuring safe, capable and cost-effective processes are delivered on time and to McLaren quality standards.

What You\'ll Do

• Represent finishing engineering in launch and business governance forums, escalating strategic decisions to the Head of Engineering Launch.


• Lead, coach and develop the finishing engineering team.


• Track launch performance, risks, issues and mitigation plans, supporting programme governance and reporting.


• Coordinate cross-functional engineering delivery to achieve safety, quality, timing and budget targets.


• Deliver manufacturing readiness from G‑2 to production handover for all processes from moulded part receipt through to the packaged finished part.


• Ensure facilities, equipment, people, processes and supply chains are ready and validated for launch.


• Lead manufacturing feasibility, capacity planning and production ramp-up across the defined finishing process scope.


• Manage the introduction and industrialisation of CAPEX, materials, equipment and manufacturing technologies for deflashing, surface preparation, post-curing, fastening, bonding, assembly, inspection and packaging.


• Ensure Design for Manufacture (DfM), PFMEA and APQP activities are completed, with finishing processes capable of meeting agreed takt time, quality and capacity targets.


• Identify technical, operational and supply chain risks, and implement effective mitigation plans.


• Manage assigned launch budgets, forecasts and capital proposals.


• Develop product and process cost models to support business cases and programme decisions.


• Ensure compliance with health and safety requirements across all in-scope activities.

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES:

• An effective leader who coaches others and builds strong cross-functional and supplier relationships.


• Motivated, resilient and pragmatic, with a data-driven approach.


• A clear communicator who can explain technical and commercial issues at all levels.


• A logical problem-solver with strong attention to detail.


• Delivery-focused, with a strong commitment to quality and continuous improvement.


• Collaborative, trustworthy and credible under pressure.


• Safety-focused and proactive in resolving issues.

What You\'ll Bring

Education

• Degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Materials Science or a related discipline, or equivalent relevant experience.

Experience

• Significant experience in composite finishing, assembly, production launch or a comparable high-value manufacturing environment.


• Experience leading engineering teams and cross-functional delivery through complex product or process launches.


• Proven delivery of finishing technology or process programmes from G‑2 through SOP and production ramp-up.


• Practical experience of APQP, DVA, DFM, PFMEA, virtual builds, readiness reviews and capacity ramp planning.


• Experience introducing CAPEX and industrialising materials, equipment and technologies across composite finishing, assembly and packaging operations.


• Experience developing cost models and supporting capital proposals.


• Able to manage multiple stakeholders and deliver effectively in a fast-paced environment.

Technical & process skills

• Strong knowledge of composite finishing processes, including deflashing and trimming, surface preparation, post-curing, fastening, structural and cosmetic bonding, assembly, inspection, handling and packaging, together with associated tooling and automation.


• Sound technical judgement and the ability to assess manufacturing feasibility and make timely decisions.


• Skilled in structured problem-solving and process improvement methods, including DMAIC, the seven quality tools and SIPOC.


• Competent in risk management, production data analysis and performance measurement.


• Experience working with external suppliers and managing supplier readiness activities.

What We\'ll Do for You

We 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 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.