McLaren

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.

The Principal Prototype Build Engineer is responsible for the delivery of all future projects, prototype build phases to agreed cost, quality, and timing.

This Senior role will require the candidate to coordinate a highly skilled team including prototype design, engineering, instrumentation, build technicians and logistics to ensure all pre-series builds are completed on time to a very high quality.

The candidate is required to liaise with all PD departments and support the generation and delivery of all pre-series vehicle functional build specifications. They will subsequently plan and execute the end to end process through to vehicle audit and customer handover. Build phases include all Pre-VP and where the business demands VP Uplift Activity.

• Work with the Development team & Project Coordination to define build phase start and finish timelines
• Create agreed vehicle specifications to achieve required test profile
• Ensure budget allocation is not exceeded at outlay and managed throughout the build
• Progress and status reports to be communicated back to the business
• Work with business processes & resolve issues within engineering when they arise, driving continuous improvement
• Plan and request resources to ensure the build plans are achieved
• Management of engineering change control ensuring deviations from functional requirement are agreed and documented
• Oversee commissioning activities to confirm vehicle performance capabilities outlined with functional requirements are achieved
• Management of build documentation for customer handover, including virtual car
• Maintain close working relationships with the engineering groups (incl. attribute leads) to deliver programme goals as a key member of the engineering team
• Maintain and endorse McLaren values and culture including housekeeping, appearance and behaviours
• Reporting to the Test Operations Manager
• Forecast and plan resource requirements, across engineering, logistic and workshop functions, feeding into business headcount submissions based on well defined Prototype Build planning

• Engineering degree (min II.I) or equivalent and a robust grasp of engineering theory
• Extensive experience of development programme delivery, ideally gained on low volume, high performance vehicle programmes
• Strong Understanding of Prototype Vehicle requirements
• Extensive Automotive testing experience
• Knowledge and experience of a broad range of vehicle and rig data acquisition, test and analysis techniques
• Excellent IT skills and at ease with MS Office products

• Able to lead and motivate a cross functional team of engineers, technicians, and supply chain functions
• Hard-working, proactive, ambitious and self-motivated to deliver engineering excellence
• Able to apply technical experience to the development of engineering designs, plus the analysis and resolution of technical issues
• Excellent organisational skills to manage multiple complex activities
• Assured communication skills at all levels
• Flexible approach to working hours
• Calm under pressure