Description
As an Engineering Manager - Finishing at McLaren Automotive, you will lead the introduction and industrialisation of finishing technologies, materials, equipment, and processes. You will manage engineering delivery from horizon (G-2) to Start of Production (SOP), ensuring safe, capable, and cost-effective processes are delivered on time and to McLaren quality standards.
Responsibilities:
- Represent finishing engineering in launch and business governance forums, escalating strategic decisions to the Head of Engineering Launch.
- Lead, coach, and develop the finishing engineering team.
- Track launch performance, risks, issues, and mitigation plans, supporting programme governance and reporting.
- Coordinate cross-functional engineering delivery to achieve safety, quality, timing, and budget targets.
- Deliver manufacturing readiness from G-2 to production handover for all processes from moulded part receipt through to the packaged finished part.
- Ensure facilities, equipment, people, processes, and supply chains are ready and validated for launch.
- Lead manufacturing feasibility, capacity planning, and production ramp-up across the defined finishing process scope.
- Manage the introduction and industrialisation of CAPEX, materials, equipment, and manufacturing technologies for deflashing, surface preparation, post-curing, fastening, bonding, assembly, inspection, and packaging.
- Ensure Design for Manufacture (DfM), PFMEA, and APQP activities are completed, with finishing processes capable of meeting agreed takt time, quality, and capacity targets.
- Identify technical, operational, and supply chain risks, and implement effective mitigation plans.
- Manage assigned launch budgets, forecasts, and capital proposals.
- Develop product and process cost models to support business cases and programme decisions.
- Ensure compliance with health and safety requirements across all in-scope activities.
Personal Attributes:
- Effective leader who coaches others and builds strong cross-functional and supplier relationships.
- Motivated, resilient, and pragmatic, with a data-driven approach.
- Clear communicator who can explain technical and commercial issues at all levels.
- Logical problem-solver with strong attention to detail.
- Delivery-focused, with a strong commitment to quality and continuous improvement.
- Collaborative, trustworthy, and credible under pressure.
- Safety-focused and proactive in resolving issues.
What You'll Bring:
- Degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Materials Science, or a related discipline, or equivalent relevant experience.
- Significant experience in composite finishing, assembly, production launch, or a comparable high-value manufacturing environment.
- Experience leading engineering teams and cross-functional delivery through complex product or process launches.
- Proven delivery of finishing technology or process programmes from G-2 through SOP and production ramp-up.
- Practical experience of APQP, DVA, DFM, PFMEA, virtual builds, readiness reviews, and capacity ramp planning.
- Experience introducing CAPEX and industrialising materials, equipment, and technologies across composite finishing, assembly, and packaging operations.
- Experience developing cost models and supporting capital proposals.
- Able to manage multiple stakeholders and deliver effectively in a fast-paced environment.
Technical & Process Skills:
- Strong knowledge of composite finishing processes, including deflashing and trimming, surface preparation, post-curing, fastening, structural and cosmetic bonding, assembly, inspection, handling, and packaging, together with associated tooling and automation.
- Sound technical judgement and the ability to assess manufacturing feasibility and make timely decisions.
- Skilled in structured problem-solving and process improvement methods, including DMAIC, the seven quality tools, and SIPOC.
- Competent in risk management, production data analysis, and performance measurement.
- Experience working with external suppliers and managing supplier readiness activities.
Benefits:
- Structured career development framework
- 25 days' holiday, plus bank holiday
- 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