Senior SQD Engineer - Interiors
Added 2 Sept · still live
Not disclosed
Salary
Not disclosed by employer
£41,700
Going rate
Skilled Worker going rate
This role likely qualifies for a Skilled Worker visa
SOC 2481 (80% match) is an eligible occupation, with a going rate of £41,700, and McLaren Automotive Ltd is a licensed sponsor. That is our reading of the rules. Whether they issue a Certificate of Sponsorship is still their call.
This could also be SOC 2482 (Quality assurance and regulatory professionals, Quality assurance and regulatory focus on supplier quality standards) or SOC 2125 (Production and process engineers, Production and process engineering aspects of industrialisation). We read the code off the advert, so it is our best guess, not the employer's.
About the role
What to Expect
Supplier Quality & Development (SQD) Senior Engineer – Interior Trim
As part of McLaren Automotive's continued growth and its multi-propulsion strategy, we are expanding our Supplier Quality & Development (SQD) team. Strengthening the global SQD function will enhance collaboration with suppliers worldwide and reinforce the delivery of robust quality standards across both new and existing vehicle programmes.
What to Expect
As a Senior Supplier Quality & Development Engineer, you will take ownership of suppliers within the Interior Trim commodity area, managing a global supply base for components such as trim finishers, seats, cockpit/instrument panels (IP), headliners, and other primary interior assemblies. You will manage these suppliers across the full lifecycle—from sourcing and industrialisation through to series production—ensuring launch success and ongoing performance in quality, delivery, and durability. Operating from the UK with a global remit, you will lead industrialisation activities, assess and guide supplier manufacturing processes, and build long-term capability within the supply chain for Interior Trim.
What You'll Do
Supplier Quality & Development (SQD) Senior Engineer – Interior Trim
As part of McLaren Automotive's continued growth and its multi-propulsion strategy, we are expanding our Supplier Quality & Development (SQD) team. Strengthening the global SQD function will enhance collaboration with suppliers worldwide and reinforce the delivery of robust quality standards across both new and existing vehicle programmes.
What to Expect
As a Senior Supplier Quality & Development Engineer, you will take ownership of suppliers within the Interior Trim commodity area, managing a global supply base for components such as trim finishers, seats, cockpit/instrument panels (IP), headliners, and other primary interior assemblies. You will manage these suppliers across the full lifecycle—from sourcing and industrialisation through to series production—ensuring launch success and ongoing performance in quality, delivery, and durability. Operating from the UK with a global remit, you will lead industrialisation activities, assess and guide supplier manufacturing processes, and build long-term capability within the supply chain for Interior Trim.
What You'll Do
- Supplier Sourcing & Qualification
- Conduct thorough assessments of global supplier sites for Interior Trim components to ensure competent and reliable supply including driving and monitoring any follow-up actions.
- Ensure nonIATF16949 suppliers achieve certification in line with nomination plans.
- Collaborate with Engineering and Purchasing to select and nominate capable suppliers that meet programme requirements for Interior Trim.
- Provide the SQD input/assessment into the McLaren sourcing process (eg. Sourcing Council inputs, RFQ inputs ,category strategies etc.)
- Support and implement APQP for all new tooled interior trim parts, ensuring timely and robust completion of activities.
- Collaborate with Engineering and suppliers to refine product designs, focusing on feasibility for processes such as injection moulding, inmould graining, chrome plating, paint finishing, component wrapping, foaming, cut & sewing, and complex assembly for Interior Trim.
- Ensure manufacturing processes achieve quality, durability, and visual appearance standards.
- Ensure Interior Trim suppliers meet programme launch, quality, and delivery targets.
- Manage supplier performance during series production to maintain PPAP compliance and address quality, cosmetic, and delivery concerns.
- 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.
- Support activities for both reactive and proactive warranty concerns reduction
- Develop and implement improvement strategies with suppliers to enhance performance and capability.
- Strong understanding of manufacturing processes relevant to Interior Trim, including injection moulding of decorative parts, plastic plating (chrome, PVD, paint), foaming, trim wrapping, sewing, lamination, adhesion processes, structural foam moulding, and soft-touch materials. Strong understanding of the end-to-end supply chains within typical automotive OEM supplier networks.
- In-depth knowledge of automotive OEM manufacturing processes
- Proficient in analysing programme plans and assessing suppliers’ capability to deliver high-quality components on time, aligned with key project milestones.
- Able to plan and oversee the full manufacturing process at the supplier—from goods receipt to final dispatch—when required.
- Skilled in scenario planning to identify risks and define effective mitigation strategies as needed
- Ability to influence senior stakeholders within supplier organisations to ensure correct prioritisation and focus
- Knowledge of durability and cosmetic validation for interior surfaces, including scratch resistance, UV stability, environmental durability, squeak & rattle mitigation, and fit & finish.
- Experience conducting feasibility assessments for visible and high-touch Interior Trim items such as seats, cockpit/IP assemblies, door trims, finishers, headliners, and console assemblies.
- Language: Fluent in technical and conversational English (oral & written). Additional languages beneficial.
- Education: Degree-level qualification or higher in a technical engineering discipline.
- Supplier Quality Expertise: Proven experience in an Automotive OEM Supplier Quality/Quality Engineering role responsible for Interior Trim.
- Core Quality Tools: Strong working knowledge of PPAP, MSA, APQP, FMEA, SPC, particularly in appearance and tactile performance parameters.
- Structured Problem Solving: Expert in 8D, DMAIC.
- Quality Management Systems: IATF16949 and AIAG standards.
- Engineering Standards: Advanced understanding of GD&T and its application to Interior Trim fit & finish.
- Systems Competence: Proficient in Microsoft Office, SAP, and CAD visualisation tools (CATIA viewer).
- Coach and Guide: Able to coach and guide fellow members of the McLaren SQD team as well as members of supplier’s organisations
- 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: Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to engage confidently in either language 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.
- Global Perspective: Experience working across global cultures; flexible in work patterns and willing to travel extensively, including at short notice.
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
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.
This description is the source posting as it read when we added it. We are not affiliated with McLaren Automotive Ltd, so check their own site for the current details.
Where this offer sits in the market
SOC 2481 · UK · ONS ASHE 2025 · ~46k in sampleP25 £35kP75 £54k
£30kmedian £44kgoing rate £42k£54k
Similar sponsored roles
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Browse more sponsored jobs at McLaren Automotive LtdAbout sponsorship for this role
Does this job guarantee visa sponsorship?
Not necessarily. McLaren Automotive Ltd holds a sponsor licence, but sponsorship for a specific hire is always the employer's decision. Be upfront in your application that you'll require it.
What salary is needed for this role to be eligible?
The offer must clear both the general threshold and the SOC 2481 going rate of £41,700. New-entrant and shortage discounts can lower it.