Job Title
Design Graduate Scheme 2026
Ref #
54168
Date posted
Monday, September 29, 2025
Country
United Kingdom
Location
Bicester
Business area
Design
Department
Design
Position level
J - Technician / Administrator
Working time
Full Time
Contract type
Fixed Term Contract
Duration
24 months
Working pattern
9am - 6pm Monday to Friday
What to Expect

We are recruiting for Graduates to join our world-class Design team at the McLaren Technology Centre in Bicester, Oxfordshire. As a Design Graduate, you will work within our Design Studio on cutting-edge projects to add to an existing portfolio of work in automotive design 

This is a two-year rotational programme (4 x 6 months), offering experience across key Design departments. Through four structured rotations, you’ll gain hands-on exposure to McLaren’s Design operations, actively contributing to the continuous improvement of our processes. The programme is designed to build your technical expertise, deepen your operational understanding, and develop your leadership skills. 

Please note this is an onsite position. 

What You'll Do

During your Graduate Scheme, you’ll gain hands-on experience within McLaren’s Design operations, contributing to the continuous improvement and excellence of our design processes. Key responsibilities may include: 

    • Creative Input: Contribute fresh and innovative ideas to ongoing design projects within McLaren's Design Studio, leveraging your creative flair and academic knowledge.  
    • Design Development: Collaborate with experienced designers to refine and develop design concepts, taking projects from initial ideation to detailed design stages.  
    • Digital Modelling: Utilize design software to create digital models and renderings, bringing design concepts to life and contributing to the visualization of future McLaren vehicles. 
    • Portfolio Review: Participate in portfolio reviews with senior designers and provide insights into your university design work, showcasing your skills, creativity, and potential contribution to the team.  
    • Design Research: Conduct research on emerging design trends, materials, and technologies, contributing valuable insights to the design development process.  
    • Collaboration: Work closely with cross-functional teams, including engineers and other designers, to understand the practical aspects of translating design concepts into production-ready vehicles. 
    • Learning and Development: Embrace the learning opportunities provided during the scheme to develop your skills in automotive design, understanding McLaren's design philosophy and principles. 



What You'll Bring
    • You must have achieved, or be on track to achieve, at least a 2:1 at a UK university in a relevant degree. 
    • A passion for vehicles and cutting-edge design environments. 
    • Strong analytical thinking and structured problem-solving abilities. 
    • The drive to work collaboratively in a fast-paced, precision-focused setting.Shape 

You must also bring a passion for cars, and a desire to work at the cutting edge of the automotive industry within our Design business area


Personal Attributes:

We’re looking for individuals who combine design expertise with curiosity, energy, and commitment to innovation. Desirable traits include: 

    • Attention to detail – care and precision in analysis, planning, and execution. 
    • Continuous improvement thinking – always looking for ways to do things better. 
    • Adaptability – able to pivot between technical detail and big-picture thinking. 
    • Team collaboration – thrive in cross-functional environments, building trust with operators, engineers, and leadership. 
    • Resilience – ability to work through challenges and maintain momentum in a high-precision, time-critical environment. 
    • Ownership – proactive in taking responsibility and seeing tasks through to completion. 
    • Effective communicator – clear and confident when presenting solutions and progress. 
    • Passion for performance – enthusiastic about McLaren’s vision and 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
  • Benefits you can adapt to your lifestyle, such as discounted shopping
  • A range of wellbeing initiatives, such as employee assistance programme and free financial & mortgage advice
  • Opportunities to experience our fantastic cars
*Qualifying criteria applies

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. 

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