McLaren

As a Senior Tooling Engineer, you will lead a newly created composites tooling department within a fast-paced automotive manufacturing environment. You will be responsible not only for guiding a team of tooling engineers and technicians, but also for establishing the processes, standards, and workflows that will integrate this new function into the existing business. You will act as the technical authority for composite tooling, ensuring high levels of quality, manufacturability, and operational efficiency. Expect to collaborate closely with design, production, quality, and programme teams to deliver innovative tooling solutions that support advanced composite components and high-volume automotive production.

• Build and lead a new composite tooling department, defining its structure, processes, and best practices.
• Develop and implement tooling workflows, documentation standards, and procedures to integrate the department seamlessly into the wider business.
• Lead and mentor a team in the design and manufacture of composite tooling, fixtures, jigs, and associated equipment.
• Oversee the full tooling lifecycle—from concept development and detailed design to validation, commissioning, and continuous improvement.
• Produce and review tooling design deliverables including 3D models, drawings, BOMs, and technical specifications.
• Provide expert Design for Manufacture (DFM) feedback to ensure composite component designs support efficient and repeatable production.
• Define tooling materials, processes, and construction methods suitable for composite manufacturing technologies (e.g., autoclave, resin infusion, press moulding).
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to resolve manufacturability issues and optimise tooling performance.
• Lead tooling trials, inspections, and root-cause analyses, implementing corrective actions as required.
• Ensure compliance with internal standards, safety regulations, and industry best practices.
• Manage tooling budgets, schedules, and supplier relationships.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on tooling reliability, efficiency, cycle time, ergonomics, and accuracy.

• Extensive experience in composite tooling engineering within automotive, motorsport, aerospace, or a similar high-performance environment.
• Proven leadership experience, ideally including setting up or scaling a new department, team, or function.
• Strong understanding of composite materials, lay-up techniques, curing processes, and manufacturing technologies.
• High proficiency with CAD tools (e.g., CATIA, Siemens NX, SolidWorks) and familiarity with PLM/PDM systems.
• Demonstrated ability to provide DFM guidance and develop robust, production-ready tooling solutions.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including experience with root-cause analysis and continuous improvement.
• Excellent communication, influencing, and stakeholder management skills, especially when integrating new processes across an established organisation.
• Ability to manage multiple projects concurrently in a fast-moving manufacturing environment.
• A proactive mindset with a commitment to safety, quality, and operational excellence.

TBC

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.