Job Title
Lead Engineer - Engine Design
Ref #
59267
Date posted
Monday, August 10, 2026
Country
United Kingdom
Location
Woking
Business area
R&D
Department
Powertrain Engine
Position level
5 - Supervisory / Professional​ - (L-17)
Working time
Full Time
Contract type
Permanent
Working pattern
9am - 6pm Monday to Friday
Salary
.
What to Expect
PR HRR 7

McLaren Automotive is expanding its ICE product portfolio and is embarking upon several exciting, innovative clean-sheet design ICE programmes.

Reporting to the Engine Design Manager, we are recruiting for an Engine Design Lead Engineer. The successful candidate will be responsible for the successful definition, design and technical delivery of a complete Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) project for a McLaren vehicle platform.

This role offers a unique opportunity to directly influence the future technologies used in our vehicles, engage with stakeholders across the Exec team and all business functions, whilst leading a team of Engineers to deliver the full technical product specification.

You will experience a rich variety of work, from providing technical leadership in detail ICE design, influencing the integration and the packaging of the vehicle, liaising and managing supplier relationships and providing hands-on leadership to the team. The position offers a large degree of autonomy with all the support necessary to grow and develop your career within a world-renowned brand and automotive company. 

This role will operate from our office in Woking and provide some hybrid working opportunities.

What You'll Do
  • Technical responsibility and detailed component and sub-system knowledge for all high-performance ICE components and sub-systems.
  • Lead the definition of MAL engine systems – liaising with all internal and external stakeholders (Product teams, Finance, Suppliers, Exec etc) to guarantee all attribute, cost and time schedule compliance.
  • Check and approve all Technical Product Specification (e.g. Engineering drawings, Tech Specs, DFMA) including compliance with BS 8888 and ISO GPS standards.
  • Lead and execute the delivery of internal and external technical design and analysis teams to deliver to defined technical specifications in line with the Powertrain & Vehicle programme timing.
  • Lead the management and delivery of component and sub-system BOM, specifications, FMEAs and DVP and also cost, timing and quality targets (in coordination with purchasing and SQD teams)
  • Lead the technical assessment, integration and application of appropriate Powertrain and Driveline technology.
  • Support vehicle programme attribute owners with respect to development and reporting.
  • Ensure the components interface seamlessly to the wider car including structural interfaces, packaging, aerodynamics and cooling systems.
  • Establish and control design release in line with Project timing requirements
  • Lead the execution and evaluation of results of component testing and to support powertrain & vehicle development activities and vehicle manufacturing, launch & planning.
  • Preparation and presentation of material to support external and internal project status reviews. 
What You'll Bring
  • Significant relevant high performance automotive OEM or motorsport technical knowledge & experience of engine design, test & production.  
  • Significant relevant high performance automotive OEM or motorsport experience in OEM or tier one component delivery
  • Component & system design experience within an APQP or similar framework including FMEA, component planning and PPAP
  • Significant CAE knowledge to support digital analysis for combustion systems, structural and dynamic components.
  • CATIA V5 2D/3D skills preferred with very strong BS 8888 and ISO GPS (geometrical tolerancing) application experience 
  • PC literate and at ease with MS Office products.                                                     

Qualifications and Training

  • Mechanical or Automotive Engineering Degree 2:1 or above
  • Qualification in, or previous roles demonstrating management skills to lead a team of engineers
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. 

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