Description & Requirements
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 Senior Prototype Build Engineer is responsible for the delivery of a project’s mule fleet, encompassing early planning, procurement, build and FOK. Delivered against an agreed cost, quality and time.
This Senior role will require the candidate to coordinate a highly skilled team including prototype design, engineering and instrumentation whilst leading the build technicians and logistics team to ensure all pre-series builds are completed on time to a very high quality.
Role Dimensions: The candidate is required to liaise with all PD departments to generate and publish all pre-series vehicle functional build specifications. They will subsequently plan and execute the end to end process from build specification through to vehicle audit and customer handover. Build phases include all Pre-VP activity.
- Work with the Development and Project Coordination teams to define build timelines, inclusive of design and procurement.
- Deliver agreed vehicle specifications to support required DVP activities.
- Contribute to vehicle budget allocation. Monitor, track and report on spending throughout the builds.
- Progress and status reports to be communicated to the wider Project Management Team.
- Work with business processes & resolve issues within engineering when they arise, driving continuous improvement.
- Plan and request resource to ensure the build schedules are achieved.
- Management of engineering change control ensuring deviations from functional specifications are agreed and documented.
- Maintain close working relationships with the engineering groups (incl. attribute leads) to deliver programme goals.
- Liaise with the procurement team to ensure timely delivery of parts.
- Responsible for reporting build issues and ensuring timely resolution.
- Management of build documentation for customer handover, including Virtual Car uploads.
- Responsible for the commissioning, dynamic sign-off and handover of each build in-line with the McLaren Mule Build Process.
- Maintain and endorse McLaren values and culture, including housekeeping, appearance and behaviours.
- Actively contribute to a safe working environment, engaging with relevant SSoW and H&S policies.
- Report to Principal Prototype Build Engineer.
- Engineering degree (min II.I) or equivalent and a robust grasp of engineering theory
- Ideally 5+ years’ experience of development programme delivery, ideally gained on low volume, high performance vehicle programmes within an automotive environment.
- Strong understanding of prototype vehicle requirements.
- Ability to manage the delivery of a fleet of prototype vehicles with varying specifications.
- 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.
- Experience in operating CAD based systems for virtual build analysis, preferably CATIA.
- UK driving license required with a confident ability to undergo McLaren Advanced Driver Training.
- Able to lead and motivate a cross-functional team of engineers, technicians and supply chain personnel.
- 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.