Principal SQD Engineer - Motorsport

As part of McLaren Automotive’s MSO & Motorsport strategy and ongoing growth, we are strengthening our MSO & Motorsport Quality team with the addition of a Principal Supplier Quality & Development (SQD) Engineer. This role will focus on managing suppliers for MSO & Motorsport components, ensuring that high quality, delivery, and reliability standards are met across new and existing vehicle programmes.

What to Expect

You will work with suppliers of a variety of components (whole vehicle) such as bespoke & heritage offerings of the following commodities, body, interior & exterior, underbody systems & other assemblies. Operating primarily from the UK with a global remit, you will support suppliers throughout the product lifecycle from sourcing and industrialisation to series production ensuring successful launches and ongoing performance. This role is supplier-facing and hands-on, with responsibilities including process feasibility, quality planning, and issue resolution.

What You'll Do

Supplier Sourcing & Qualification

• Conduct thorough assessments of new MSO & Motorsport supplier sites to ensure a competent and reliable supply base.

• Ensure non-IATF16949 suppliers achieve certification in line with approved nomination plans where feasible. Specialist suppliers without this accreditation should be closely managed to ensure delivery of the required quality standards.

• Collaborate with Engineering and Purchasing to select and nominate capable suppliers aligned with programme requirements.

Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) & PPAP

• Support and implement APQP for all new tooled parts, ensuring timely and robust completion of activities.

• Work with Engineering and suppliers to complete PPAPs according to commodity timing plans and track approvals against delivery milestones.

• Provide progress reporting to Purchasing and SQA Programme teams, covering APQP open issues, PPAP pedigree, and delivery forecasts.

• Manage non-PPAP part concessions to ensure a “Plan for Every Part” is in place for build support.

Design for Manufacturing (DFM) & Process Feasibility

• Collaborate with Engineering and suppliers to ensure product designs are feasible for manufacturing processes.

• Verify that supplier manufacturing processes meet durability, performance, and reliability requirements.

Launch & Series Production Support

• Ensure suppliers meet launch and delivery commitments in line with APQP requirements.

• Manage suppliers during series production to maintain PPAP compliance and resolve quality, capacity, and delivery concerns.

Series Supplier Management & Governance

• Conduct annual supplier audits to verify continued compliance with McLaren standards and regulatory requirements.

• Monitor supplier performance through KPIs and quality metrics, ensuring sustained capability and delivery.

• Facilitate regular governance reviews with key suppliers to address risks, escalate issues, and drive continuous improvement.

• Identify critical suppliers and parts requiring cross-functional engagement and oversight.

Risk Management & Issue Resolution

• Implement risk mitigation strategies to prevent supply chain disruptions and ensure business continuity.

• Identify critical suppliers and parts requiring cross-functional engagement.

• Drive resolution of major open issues, ensuring supplier senior management is actively involved.

• Deliver quality and capacity verification in line with McLaren Development Process (MDP) targets.

Supplier Development & Continuous Improvement

• Develop and implement improvement strategies with suppliers to enhance performance and capability.

What You'll Bring

What You’ll Bring

• Strong understanding of MSO & Motorsport supply chains and processes within automotive manufacturing.

• Knowledge of complete vehicle architecture for bespoke & heritage offerings of the following commodities, body, interior & exterior, underbody systems & other assemblies.

• Experience with core quality tools: PPAP, MSA, APQP, FMEA, and SPC.

• Working knowledge of IATF16949, FIA Regulations and AIAG standards.

• Understanding of Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing (GD&T) for component fit and finish.

• Familiarity with durability and performance validation for mechanical systems.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, SAP, and CATIA viewer.

Essential Functional / Technical Skills

• Qualifications: Degree-level qualification in a technical engineering discipline or equivalent practical experience (minimum 8 years).

• Commodity Expertise: Must possess deep commodity expertise, including a strong understanding of supplier manufacturing processes, tooling requirements, and typical quality and delivery risks associated with their commodity area.

• Supplier Quality Expertise: Proven experience in SQA/SQE roles, including leading suppliers through multiple new model launches.

• Core Quality Tools: PPAP, MSA, APQP, FMEA, SPC

• Structured Problem Solving: 8D / PPS / DMAIC methodologies

• Quality Management Systems: IATF16949, FIA Regulations and AIAG standard practices

• Engineering Standards: Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing (GD&T)

• Digital & Systems Competence: Proficient in Microsoft Office applications (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint), SAP, and CATIA.

Personal Attributes / Competencies

• Motivated and Professional: Highly driven team player who leads by example, acts with integrity, and can professionally represent a world-class automotive brand.

• Effective Communicator: Strong written and verbal communication skills in English with the ability to engage confidently across all levels internally and externally, including suppliers.

• Organised and Delivery-Focused: Well-structured and dependable, with a proven track record of delivering results on time in high-pressure, fast-paced environments.

• Independent and Adaptable: Self-sufficient with the ability to prioritise workload, request support when needed, and thrive in dynamic, evolving start-up settings.

• Quick Learner with Global Perspective: Fast learner, culturally aware; flexible in work patterns and willing to travel extensively, including at short notice.

• Technically Qualified and Experienced: Degree-educated in a relevant discipline, with at least 8 years’ experience in a complex manufacturing environment—OEM automotive preferred.

• Supplier Quality Expertise: Previous experience in Supplier Quality functions, including launching products into production and applying IATF16949 and AIAG standards.

• Problem Solving and Coaching Skills: Skilled in using, training, and coaching standard practical problem-solving tools

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.