Product Development Manager - Motorsport Control & Compute Software
Product Development Manager - Motorsport Control & Compute Software

Product Development Manager - Motorsport Control & Compute Software

Woking Full-Time 48000 - 72000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead the development of advanced control unit software for motorsport applications.
  • Company: Join McLaren Applied, a pioneering tech firm at the forefront of motorsport innovation.
  • Benefits: Enjoy flexible working options, 25 days annual leave, and enhanced family leave policies.
  • Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team driving sustainability and performance in motorsport technology.
  • Qualifications: Degree in Control Systems or related field; 5+ years in embedded systems software development.
  • Other info: Opportunity to work with top engineering talent in a fast-paced, non-hierarchical environment.

The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 £ per year.

Background

The world around us is experiencing significant change, the greatest in generations.

At McLaren Applied, we’re accelerating the response to that change. Our vision is that our people and technologies will pioneer a better future . Our mission is to achieve breakthroughs in performance.

We’re at the cutting edge of innovation in industries including automotive transportation and motorsport. We create solutions that drive efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

We want to help to reduce the carbon footprint and become more sustainable. Our focus is on electrification and telemetry, control and analytics.

To deliver efficient lightweight electric powertrain and vehicle development; motorsport solutions that make series more sustainable and efficient; reliable connectivity solutions for transportation and insightful analytics and monitoring of transport fleets.

By applying our expertise, we deliver real benefits and pioneer a better future .

Job Summary

As Product Development Manager you will use a deep technical expertise and a passion for high-performance engineering to lead the development of advanced control unit software for motorsport applications. You will be responsible for developing and maintaining software to support a portfolio of products and will collaborate closely with product management to deliver a compelling software feature roadmap.

You will guide cross-functional teams in building robust, real-time control software and applications that meet the performance, reliability, and safety demands of top-tier motorsport competition. The role bridges the gap between customer requirements and engineering to ensure that the right products are delivered on time, on budget, and to specification.

Key Responsibilities

  • Lead end-to-end software product development lifecycle—from ideation through release and refinement
  • Own sprint planning, development pipelines, and quality assurance processes—optimising for race timelines and in-season releases
  • Maintain short and long term resource requirements including use of external resources, perform ongoing risk management and implement performance metrics
  • Collaborate with product managers, chief engineers and cross discipline engineering teams and to define delivery plans
  • Champion agile methodologies and foster a culture of continuous improvement
  • Identify and manage dependencies with other technical areas such as control unit hardware and off car software development
  • Identify technical and process-related bottlenecks and propose effective solutions
  • Lead and inspire a team of top engineering talent, maintaining a high-performing team
  • Manage project budgets, timelines, and resources, ensuring delivery under fast-paced and high-pressure timelines typical of motorsport.
  • Instil appropriate project governance to coordinate ongoing project activities, critical project milestones, reporting of project status and escalations for assistance.

Qualifications

  • Degree in Control Systems, Software Engineering, Mechatronics, or related field
  • Proven experience (typically 5+ years) managing software development in embedded systems, ideally within a motorsport, aerospace, or high performance tech environment
  • Proficiency in project management tools (e.g., Jira, Confluence) and development practices (e.g., CI/CD, version control, testing)
  • Proven leadership in high-pressure, fast-paced technical environments
  • In-depth knowledge of control theory, embedded C, MATLAB Simulink, and real-time operating systems (RTOS)
  • Familiarity with motorsport communication protocols (CAN, FlexRay) and ECU platforms (e.g. McLaren Applied, Bosch, Cosworth, Magneti Marelli)
  • Strong technical background in software engineering, architecture, and agile development practices

Preferred Skills

  • Experience with race team operations and the real-world deployment of control software during competition
  • Understanding of typical motorsport control regulations and homologation constraints. Familiarity with ISO26262 functional safety requirements is desirable.
  • Passion for motorsport innovation and a strong appreciation for real-time race engineering workflows
  • Ability to operate at the interface of hardware and software with clear communication across technical disciplines
  • Project management certification or training in Agile/Lean development practices.

What we can offer you

In return for everything you bring to the table, we can ensure an exciting, challenging role in a dynamic business surrounded by some of the best people in their respective fields.

At McLaren Applied wefirmly believe
it’sthe relationships and friendships we create while working that make us special.We’realso aware that the world is changing and we are part of that change. We all want and need different things from our work and home lives, so, if you have commitments outside of work,we’reopen to talking through flexible working options that work for you and us.

  • Annual leave (25 days + bank holidays, pro-rated for part time colleagues).
  • Enhanced Company Maternity, Paternity and Adoption leave and pay.
  • Flexible working policies, including Hybrid Working.
  • Life assurance to the value of 4 times base salary
  • Opportunity to join the McLaren Applied Pension Plan
  • Company funded individual private healthcare with the opportunity to extend to partner or spouse and/or dependents at a discounted rate.
  • Ride-to-work with Evans Cycles – take advantage of the Government’s Cycle-to-Work scheme which offers savings of up to 42% on the cost of a new bike, cycling accessories and components.
  • Electric car scheme – opportunity to drive a brand-new car in a more affordable way through this salary sacrifice scheme. Employees are eligible to join the scheme after successful competition of their probationary period.

Who we are

McLaren Applied are a medium-sized tech firm spun out of McLaren Group.We’relooking for people who will thrive in a non-hierarchical, growth-orientated company, self-starters who are flexible andsomewhat entrepreneurialin their approach.

McLaren Applied are committed to Diversity,Equalityand Inclusion (DEI) and promote DEI in all we do. McLaren Applied are also members of the UK Government Disability Confident Scheme

#J-18808-Ljbffr

Product Development Manager - Motorsport Control & Compute Software employer: McLaren Applied

At McLaren Applied, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic and inclusive work culture, where innovation thrives and every team member is valued. As a Product Development Manager in our cutting-edge motorsport division, you will enjoy flexible working options, generous annual leave, and comprehensive benefits including enhanced family leave and private healthcare, all while collaborating with some of the brightest minds in the industry to drive sustainable advancements in high-performance engineering.
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Contact Detail:

McLaren Applied Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Product Development Manager - Motorsport Control & Compute Software

✨Tip Number 1

Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in motorsport technology, especially in control systems and software development. This knowledge will not only help you during interviews but also demonstrate your genuine interest in the field.

✨Tip Number 2

Network with professionals in the motorsport industry through platforms like LinkedIn or industry events. Building connections can provide insights into the company culture at McLaren Applied and may even lead to referrals.

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare to discuss specific projects where you've successfully led software development in high-pressure environments. Highlight your experience with agile methodologies and how you've managed cross-functional teams to meet tight deadlines.

✨Tip Number 4

Showcase your passion for motorsport by discussing any relevant personal projects or experiences. Whether it's attending races or working on related software, demonstrating your enthusiasm can set you apart from other candidates.

We think you need these skills to ace Product Development Manager - Motorsport Control & Compute Software

Control Systems Engineering
Embedded Software Development
Project Management
Agile Methodologies
Real-Time Operating Systems (RTOS)
Embedded C Programming
MATLAB Simulink
Motorsport Communication Protocols (CAN, FlexRay)
ECU Platforms Knowledge
Risk Management
Quality Assurance Processes
Cross-Functional Team Leadership
Performance Metrics Implementation
Budget Management
Continuous Improvement Practices

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in software development, particularly in embedded systems and motorsport. Use specific examples that demonstrate your leadership skills and technical expertise.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for motorsport and innovation. Discuss how your background aligns with McLaren Applied's mission and values, and mention specific projects or achievements that showcase your capabilities.

Highlight Technical Skills: Clearly outline your proficiency in project management tools and development practices. Mention your familiarity with control theory, embedded C, and any relevant communication protocols, as these are crucial for the role.

Showcase Leadership Experience: Provide examples of how you've led teams in high-pressure environments. Discuss your approach to managing project timelines and resources, and how you foster a culture of continuous improvement within your team.

How to prepare for a job interview at McLaren Applied

✨Show Your Passion for Motorsport

Make sure to express your enthusiasm for motorsport and how it drives your work. Share any personal experiences or projects that highlight your passion, as this will resonate well with the interviewers at McLaren Applied.

✨Demonstrate Technical Expertise

Prepare to discuss your technical skills in control systems, embedded software, and real-time operating systems. Be ready to provide examples of past projects where you successfully applied these skills, especially in high-pressure environments.

✨Highlight Leadership Experience

Since the role involves leading cross-functional teams, be prepared to share specific instances where you've successfully managed teams or projects. Discuss your approach to fostering collaboration and continuous improvement within your team.

✨Understand Agile Methodologies

Familiarise yourself with agile practices and be ready to discuss how you've implemented them in previous roles. Highlight your experience with project management tools like Jira and Confluence, as well as your ability to adapt to fast-paced environments typical of motorsport.

Product Development Manager - Motorsport Control & Compute Software
McLaren Applied
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  • Product Development Manager - Motorsport Control & Compute Software

    Woking
    Full-Time
    48000 - 72000 £ / year (est.)

    Application deadline: 2027-07-15

  • M

    McLaren Applied

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