General information

Job Title
Principal Engineer - Exterior Trim
Ref #
29723
Date
Monday, March 27, 2023
Country
United Kingdom
Location
Woking
Business area
R&D
Department
Body & Chassis - Exteriors
Position level
F - Principal / Senior
Working time
Full Time
Contract type
Permanent
Working pattern
8:30am - 5:30pm Monday to Friday

Description & Requirements

Background

No restraints. No limitations. We don’t simply push boundaries. We completely rethink them. McLaren Automotive exists to create breath-taking performance road cars.

With innovation at the core of all we do, every challenge starts with the same question. How can we do it better? This restless spirit runs right through McLaren Automotive. And the search for perfection is evident in everything we do.

Purpose of Role

  • Reporting to the Engineering Manager (Body Exterior), you will be responsible for managing a team of Project & Design Engineers assuming technical ownership of Exterior Trim systems across multiple vehicle development projects.
  • Be the technical point of reference for front and rear zone trim systems including bumpers, fenders, under bonnet trim, wheel arch liners, badges and other related components at component, sub-system and system level for the Vehicle Line/Platform from ‘cradle to grave’.
  • Be responsible for the continuous management of the technology roadmaps for Body Exterior Trim for current and future vehicle projects.
  • Represent the functional department and support the Engineering Manager in delivering against project objectives and MDPII gateway milestones and deliverables.
  • As part of the Body Exterior Team promote, implement, and support a simultaneous approach to vehicle development cross functionally with internal and external partners.
Principal Accountabilities
  • Lead and develop your team to deliver Exterior Trim systems in line with targets, KPI’s and milestones set by the McLaren Development Process and Vehicle Line Management team, on multiple projects.
  • Working closely with the Engineering Manager for Body Exterior, Vehicle Line Leadership and other relevant stakeholders support the definition and implementation of targets and goals for all projects, responsible systems, and components.
  • Ensure design and engineering integrity to exceed performance, quality and commercial targets, utilising a rigorous engineering approach to develop right-first-time design.
  • Providing technical leadership to project cross functional teams, as well as being the subject matter expert within the Body Exterior function group for Trim systems and technology groups including plastic injection moulding.
  • Robust logical problem-solving skills including root cause analysis, idea generation and countermeasure evaluation techniques.
  • Reporting out and presenting to senior leadership on Exterior Trim strategies, project progress, problem solving and supplier engagement.
  • Maximize you performance and development as an individual as well as that of all individuals within your team.
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
  • Experience of leading direct and indirect teams, working cross-functionally, ideally in the automotive industry.
  • Design and development experience of Exterior Trim systems in an OEM, or in a tier 1 supplier, with a high level of technical knowledge & experience of component, and system design, development, manufacturing and testing.
  • Robust, proven feasibility assessment skills within an APQP or similar framework including FMEA, DFA/DFM, DVP, component planning and PPAP
  • Proven ability and understanding of latest automotive manufacture processes, feasibility and technology, including development tools.
  • Experience in lightweight body design and materials technology.
  • Robust understanding of the complete product lifecycle, from ‘cradle to grave’.
  • Sound commercial and financial awareness.
  • CAD knowledge for assembly and part interrogation.  Design experience advantageous (Catia V5).
  • Good understanding of GD&T
  • PC literate and at ease with MS Office
Personal Attributes
  • A passion for high performance / supercar engineering.
  • A great team worker who is driven to support their team to success.
  • A confident, engaging communicator able to influence and lead meetings.
  • Strong interpersonal skills – ability to communicate to all levels of the business including external partners.
  • An ability to motivate others, teams and work cross-functionally effectively.
  • A creative & thoughtful approach to concept design and solving engineering problems with good attention to detail.
  • A positive, proactive attitude with a high level of self-motivation to deliver excellence.
  • An engaging mindset, open to new challenges and working where necessary outside their comfort zone to push innovation and challenge the norm.
  • Ability to remain focused and deliver in a fast paced and dynamic environment.