Senior Powertrain Manufacturing Engineer in Woking

The Senior Manufacturing Engineer is accountable for the end-to-end definition, delivery, and continuous evolution of advanced assembly manufacturing systems for a low-volume, high-value powertrain facility. This role provides technical leadership and strategic direction across manufacturing engineering, ensuring product designs are translated into world-class, scalable, and digitally enabled production systems that achieve safety, quality, delivery, cost, and sustainability targets across the full product lifecycle.

Operating at a systems level, the role shapes plant architecture, automation strategy, and industrialisation roadmaps, while leading cross-functional integration from early concept through launch and into operational excellence.

Principal Accountabilities

• Manufacturing System Strategy & Architecture: Own and define the end-to-end manufacturing system architecture, including process design, automation strategy, plant layout, and digital integration. Develop and govern long-term manufacturing strategies, ensuring scalability, flexibility, and alignment with future product and technology roadmaps. Lead development of line concepts, takt strategies, capacity models, and industrialisation plans. Champion implementation of advanced Lean Production Systems and continuous improvement frameworks. Define and lead integration of MES, digital twins, and Industry 4.0 technologies to enable traceability, analytics, and real-time control.
• Technical Leadership – Tooling, Equipment & Automation: Provide technical authority and governance over tooling, equipment, and automation strategy. Lead specification, selection, and validation of complex automated systems and precision assembly technologies. Establish and manage strategic supplier partnerships, including integrators and equipment vendors. Oversee design reviews, FAT/SAT readiness, and technical risk mitigation. Drive innovation in automation, robotics, and smart manufacturing solutions to enhance capability and competitiveness. Ensure all systems are designed for reliability, maintainability, and lifecycle cost optimisation.
• Quality, Process Robustness & Compliance: Lead deployment of quality-by-design principles across manufacturing systems. Own and govern PFMEA, control plans, and error-proofing strategies at system level. Ensure robust implementation of traceability, torque control, leak testing, cleanliness, and end-of-line validation systems. Drive achievement of first-time-through, warranty, and reliability targets. Establish change management governance for product and process evolution. Utilise digital manufacturing and simulation tools to validate processes prior to implementation.
• Programme Delivery & Launch Excellence: Lead manufacturing engineering delivery through concept, industrialisation, installation, commissioning, and ramp-up. Provide senior technical leadership during launch, ensuring rapid issue resolution and risk mitigation. Oversee pilot builds, run-at-rate validation, and production readiness. Ensure achievement of takt, yield, safety, and cost targets within programme timelines. Act as a key decision-maker in high-pressure launch environments.
• Leadership, Governance & Capability Development: Provide technical and functional leadership to manufacturing engineering teams across process, tooling, and industrial engineering disciplines. Establish and enforce engineering standards, best practices, and governance frameworks. Mentor and develop engineers, building organisational capability and succession strength. Lead implementation of structured problem-solving methodologies (e.g., root cause analysis, Six Sigma approaches). Champion health, safety, and ergonomic excellence, embedding a proactive safety culture. Ensure full compliance with regulatory, environmental, and corporate standards.
• Cross-Functional & Business Integration: Act as a key interface across Product Engineering, Operations, Quality, Digital, Facilities, and Supply Chain. Influence programme strategy, capital investment planning, and business case development. Support senior governance reviews and executive decision-making. Drive alignment between manufacturing capability and future product innovation. Contribute to enterprise-level manufacturing strategy and continuous improvement initiatives.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience Required

• Experience: Significant experience in powertrain or precision mechanical manufacturing. Proven leadership delivering multiple full production launches from concept through ramp-up. Demonstrated experience in leading complex manufacturing programmes or technical teams. Strong background in automation, advanced assembly systems, and supplier management. Experience influencing product design and manufacturing strategy at programme level. Track record of resolving complex technical and operational challenges in high-performance environments.
• Technical Expertise: Deep expertise in assembly system design, line balancing, and production optimisation. Advanced knowledge of precision assembly processes (fastening, sealing, testing, validation). Strong understanding of digital manufacturing, MES integration, and simulation tools. Ability to define and evaluate complex automation architectures and emerging technologies. Expertise in process capability, variation control, and manufacturing analytics.
• Leadership & Strategic Capability: Strong systems thinking across manufacturing, facilities, logistics, and digital ecosystems. Ability to operate at both strategic and operational levels. Proven decision-making and accountability in complex, high-pressure environments. Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills, including senior leadership engagement. Ability to translate technical strategy into business value and performance outcomes.

Education and Qualifications: Degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, or Industrial Engineering (or equivalent experience). Advanced qualifications (e.g., MSc, MBA, Six Sigma Black Belt) are advantageous.Success Measures (Indicative): Delivery of manufacturing systems aligned to strategic, cost, and performance targets. Successful launch with stable, scalable, and high-quality production performance. Achievement of first-time-through, warranty, and operational efficiency targets. Demonstrated continuous improvement and innovation in manufacturing capability. Development of high-performing engineering teams and robust engineering standards.Location & Travel: Based at the McLaren Technology Centre. Regular travel to suppliers, partners, and global engineering sites as required.What We’ll Do For You: 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.