# Head of Engineering Launch **Company**: McLaren Automotive **Location**: Sheffield **Work arrangement**: onsite **Experience**: senior **Job type**: full-time **Category**: Engineering **Industry**: Automotive **Wikidata**: https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1351854 **Apply**: https://mclarencareers.mclaren.com/careers/JobDetail/Head-of-Engineering-Launch/59459?utm_source=yubhub.co&utm_medium=jobs_feed&utm_campaign=apply **Canonical**: https://yubhub.co/jobs/job_a2b77d66-e2f ## Description Working within the site leadership team of the McLaren Composites Technology Centre's based in Sheffield/Rotherham, reporting to the Plant Director, the Head of Engineering – Launch is accountable for the end-to-end introduction and industrialisation of new composites manufacturing technologies, CAPEX, manufacturing processes, materials and expertise across MCTC operations. You will lead engineering from horizon (G-2) through to Start of Production (SOP), ensuring every new technology is delivered safely, to McLaren's quality and performance standards, on time and within approved budgets. Responsibilities: - Represent engineering launch function in programme and business governance forums. - Lead, mentor and develop direct reports and a wider launch and industrialisation team to deliver composites manufacturing technology introductions and manufacturing transformations. - Support the programme manager with governance and reporting mechanisms to track launch performance, key risks, issues and mitigation plans. - Own cross-functional engineering activities to ensure programmes are delivered safely, on time, to quality and within approved budgets. - Deliver manufacturing readiness from G-2 through to production handover, including readiness reviews, manufacturing planning and risk management for all new product introductions. - Ensure facilities, equipment, people, processes and supply chains are prepared and validated to support manufacturing requirements. - Provide strategic oversight of manufacturing feasibility studies, future capacity planning and production ramp-up activities. - Accountable for introduction and industrialisation of CAPEX, new manufacturing processes, materials and technologies across all MCTC operations. - Ensure robust Design Validation Assessment (DVA), Design for Manufacture (DfM), PFMEA, HPc and APQP activities are completed to manufacturing standards. - Lead problem-solving and root cause analysis through development phases, using recognised methodologies (DMAIC, 7 tools of quality) and drive lessons learned and continuous improvement across launch and industrialisation activities. - Proactively identify technical, operational and supply chain risks and implement mitigation and contingency plans. - Own launch-related budgets, forecasts and capital expenditure proposals; ensure cost control and compliance from project initiation to completion. - Lead costing modelling of new products and manufacturing processes to support business cases, capital planning and ongoing programme decisions. - Ensure compliance with H&S regulations and foster a safe working environment for colleagues, contractors and visitors. Requirements: - Degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality Management - Minimum 10 years in a manufacturing/production launch environment, with significant experience in composites manufacturing, or similar low-volume, high-value product manufacturing and industrialisation. - At least 5 years in a senior leadership role responsible for complex product launches, cross-functional teams and manufacturing transformations. - Proven track record of delivering full-scale, complex technology development programmes from horizon (G-2) through SOP and volume ramp-up to time, cost and quality targets. - Hands-on experience with APQP, DVA, DfM, PFMEA, virtual builds, launch readiness reviews and capacity ramp planning. - Demonstrable experience of CAPEX introduction and industrialisation of new processes, materials and manufacturing technologies. - Experience in costing modelling of new products and preparing/managing capital proposals. - Demonstrated performance in high-pressure, challenging environments and manage multiple stakeholders. Personal Attributes: - Strong leader and team player: able to inspire, coach and develop teams while building effective cross-functional and supplier relationships. - Highly motivated, resilient and assertive, with a pragmatic, process- and data-driven approach. - Clear and effective communicator , able to present complex technical and commercial issues at all levels of the business. - Logical thinker with excellent problem-solving skills and strong attention to detail. - Results and delivery focused, with a passion for quality, customer excellence and continuous improvement. - Trustworthy and collaborative , builds credibility quickly and acts with integrity under pressure. - Safety-focused, with proactive solutions-driven approach. 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 ## Skills ### Required - composites manufacturing - CAPEX introduction - manufacturing processes - materials and expertise - APQP - DVA - DfM - PFMEA - virtual builds - launch readiness reviews - capacity ramp planning - costing modelling - capital proposals - risk management - production data analysis - performance measurement --- Source: [Apply at mclarencareers.mclaren.com](https://mclarencareers.mclaren.com/careers/JobDetail/Head-of-Engineering-Launch/59459?utm_source=yubhub.co&utm_medium=jobs_feed&utm_campaign=apply)