Senior Supplier Quality Development (SQD) Engineer

Job Title Senior Supplier Quality Development (SQD) Engineer Ref # 58912 Date posted Friday, March 20, 2026 Country United Kingdom Location Woking Business area SQD Department Supplier Quality Assurance Position level 5 - Supervisory / Professional​ - (L-16) Working time Full Time Contract type Permanent Working pattern 9am - 6pm Monday to Friday What to Expect We are hiring 11x Senior SQD Engineers. Please note we will consider locations in Bicester & Woking.Please see commodities below:3 x Body in White & Stampings 2x Chassis 1x Exteriors 1x Interiors2x ICE Propulsion 1x Electrical Propulsion 1x CompositesAs 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 specific commodity area, managing a global supply base for a variety of components/systems. 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.     What You'll Do Conduct thorough assessments of global supplier sites to ensure competent and reliable supply.Ensure non-IATF16949 suppliers achieve certification in line with nomination plans.Collaborate with Engineering and Purchasing to select and nominate capable suppliers that meet programme requirements.Support and implement APQP for all new tooled parts, ensuring timely and robust completion of activities.Work with Engineering and suppliers to complete PPAPs (including performance and durability validation) according to commodity timing plans and track approvals against delivery milestones.Provide progress reporting to Purchasing and SQD 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 FeasibilityCollaborate with Engineering and suppliers to refine product designs, focusing on feasibility for processes relevant to a specific commodity/componentEnsure manufacturing processes achieve performance, durability, and reliability standards for high-performance automotive applications.Ensure suppliers meet programme launch, quality, and delivery targets.Manage supplier performance during series production to maintain PPAP compliance and address mechanical, thermal, and reliability 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 oversightImplement 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.Develop and implement improvement strategies with suppliers to enhance performance and capability.  What You'll Bring Strong understanding of manufacturing processes such as precision machining, casting, forging, assembly, injection moulding, painting etc. In-depth knowledge of automotive OEM manufacturing processes and associated supply chains 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 raw materials 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, efficiency, and performance validation processes/requirements Experience conducting feasibility assessments on component/system designs Familiarity with tooling, precision measurement, and dimensional control Essential Skills & QualificationsLanguage: 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). Personal Attributes / Competencies 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. Technically Qualified and Experienced: Degree-educated in a relevant discipline, with at least 10 years’ experience in an automotive OEM. Supplier Quality Expertise: Significant previous experience in OEM 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 Strategic Thinker: Able to see the ‘bigger picture’ and willing to take on additional workload to support the development and implementation of new SQD processes and/or initiatives Present a Clear Message: Able to create and deliver presentations which can explain and summarise complex topics succinctly to cross functional and/or senior audiences   What We'll Do for You We offer a wide – ranging benefits package, which includes:Structured career development framework25 days’ holiday, plus bank holiday. Annual buy & sell up to five daysEnhanced company pension schemeDiscretionary annual bonus awardPrivate medical insurance and health cash planLife assurance benefitAbility to apply for a sabbatical of up to one year after only two years’ serviceBenefits you can adapt to your lifestyle, such as discounted shoppingGenerous parental leave policiesA 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.