Job Title
Senior Quality Engineer - NPI
Ref #
58982
Date posted
Tuesday, April 21, 2026
Country
United Kingdom
Location
Sheffield
Business area
Sheffield
Department
Sheffield
Position level
5 - Supervisory / Professional​ - (L-16)
Working time
Full Time
Contract type
Permanent
Working pattern
8:30am - 5:30pm Monday to Friday
Salary
N/A
What to Expect
  • Lead and manage the NPI Quality function at McLaren Composites Technology Centre (MCTC), directly line managing the NPI Quality team. 
  • Take full accountability for delivering assigned new product introduction (NPI) projects into series production in a complete fashion, ensuring PPAP maturity is achieved at each project gateway. 
  • Manage multiple concurrent NPI projects across different stages of development, prioritising resources and providing clear direction under pressure. 
  • Own NPI planning and APQP deliverables e.g. PPAP, validation plans, FMEAs, Control plans and ensure timely closure of quality gates and handover to operations. 
  • Define and deliver validation strategies, capability studies, MSA/gauge R&R and SPC for new processes and parts in collaboration with Metrology Team. 
  • Lead cross‑functional activity with Design, Manufacturing Engineering, Production, Process Engineering, Supplier Quality and Test to ensure cohesive DFM decisions and programme delivery. 
  • Drive quality strategies for projects introducing new technologies and first of type processes, assessing risk and implementing suitable controls to protect production readiness. 
  • Lead containment, structured problem solving (8D, RCA, Ishikawa, 5 Whys) and verification of corrective action effectiveness to minimise escalation and ensure projects handed to series will run smoothly. 
  • Monitor, report and present NPI quality metrics and status to programme leadership and the Quality Manager, escalating only with defined mitigation plans when required. 
  • Support audits and ensure compliance with IATF principles and internal quality system requirements. 

What You'll Do
  • Deliver all assigned NPI programmes into series with completed PPAP and closed quality gates, on schedule and to McLaren standards. 
  • Develop NPI Quality process at MCTC to aid robust and streamlined delivery of new projects. 
  • Lead and develop a competent NPI Quality team capable of resolving the majority of issues without routine escalation beyond NPI team. 
  • Ensure process and measurement capability are proven (Cp/Cpk, MSA) prior to handover to operations. 
  • Ensure comprehensive, audit‑ready APQP documentation is available and maintained through the project lifecycle. 
  • Reduce rework, scrap and launch related quality escapes; demonstrate continuous improvement from prototype to series. 
  • Provide cross‑functional leadership to achieve cohesive decision making and timely resolution of development issues. 
  • Balance launch delivery pressures with robust quality control and risk mitigation, IATF adherence isn’t extra work, it’s the way we work.  

What You'll Bring
  • Degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Materials, Composites, Manufacturing) or equivalent experience. 
  • Minimum 5–8 years’ quality engineering experience with proven track record delivering development projects into production in an IATF/automotive quality environment. 
  • Demonstrable, composites experience across development and production (prepreg/autoclave, OOA, RTM/infusion, bonding/assembly) and associated NDT/inspection methods. 
  • Demonstrable experience introducing new technologies/first‑of‑type processes into production and managing associated NPI risks. 
  • Experience managing or leading multiple engineers/technicians and allocating resources across concurrent programmes. 
  • Deep practical knowledge and use of APQP, PFMEA, Control Plans, PPAP, MSA, SPC and structured RCA methodologies. 
  • Experience with inspection for complex composite components and familiarity with composite specific failure modes. 
  • Strong stakeholder management, communication and presentation skills; ability to influence cross‑functional teams and make decisions under pressure. 
  • Experience in low‑volume, high‑value vehicle programmes is highly desirable.  

 

Personal Attributes: 

  • Calm under pressure, decisive and pragmatic with a hands‑on approach. 
  • Strong organisational and prioritisation skills; able to manage multiple projects at different maturity levels. 
  • Confident people leader who can coach, develop and empower a team to work autonomously. 
  • Collaborative and influential, capable of building trust across functions and suppliers. 
  • Committed to continuous improvement and achieving high standards of workmanship. 


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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