Overview
As Head of Powertrain Engineering, you will set and execute the technical strategy for ICE powertrains and transmissions, spanning from concept to production across vehicle programs. You will lead multiple engineering teams, ensure end-to-end delivery, and uphold performance, durability, and regulatory standards. You will shape the powertrain roadmap, drive innovation, and manage external partners to meet cost and quality objectives. This is a senior leadership role at a world-class automotive company delivering market-leading performance.
Pay / Benefits
- Structured career development framework
- 25 days’ holiday plus bank holidays
- Annual buy & sell up to five days
- Enhanced company pension scheme
- Discretionary annual bonus
- Private medical insurance and health cash plan
Responsibilities
- Act as senior technical authority for powertrain engineering and ICE propulsion systems
- Define long-term powertrain technology roadmap aligned to vehicle and brand strategy
- Establish engineering standards, governance, and processes across powertrain activities
- Provide independent technical judgment on programme decisions and investments
- Drive innovation in engine performance, combustion efficiency, durability, and customer experience
- Accountable for complete powertrain delivery across vehicle programmes
- Ensure targets for power, torque, emissions, durability, weight, cost and timing are met
- Lead resolution of complex technical issues impacting programme delivery
- Collaborate with Vehicle Engineering, Manufacturing, Purchasing and Quality for robust integration
- Provide executive-level reporting on programme status, risks, and resources
- Define and execute external powertrain partnership strategy
- Lead relationships with engine partners, consultancies, suppliers and development organisations
- Set technical requirements and deliverables for external partners
- Governance of external development programmes including timing, cost and quality
- Sponsor key powertrain partnerships and strategic supplier relationships
- Drive accountability and performance across partner organisations
- Lead multiple engineering departments through managers and technical leaders
- Integrate design, systems engineering, calibration, validation and programme delivery teams
- Allocate resources across programmes and priorities
- Maintain engineering capability, tools, facilities, and processes for future needs
- Develop and maintain a high-performance organisation focused on technical excellence
- Build world-class powertrain capability and successor pipelines
- Attract leading expertise and promote engineering excellence and collaboration
- Ensure critical knowledge is retained and transferred within the organisation
Key requirements
- Degree or postgraduate qualification in Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering or a related discipline
- Extensive experience leading ICE powertrain development in a high-performance automotive environment
- Proven track record delivering complex engine and transmission programmes from concept to production
- Deep expertise in combustion systems, engine architecture, induction systems, fuel systems, thermal systems, calibration and powertrain integration
- Significant experience managing strategic engineering partners and externally sourced technology programmes
- Leadership of large multidisciplinary engineering organisations through managers
- Recognised industry expert within powertrain engineering
- Ability to influence strategic business decisions through technical leadership and judgement
- Strong capability in managing complexity, ambiguity and competing priorities
- Commercial and programme management awareness
- Able to lead large organisations through significant technical and business change
- Strategic leadership
- Influencing and judgement
- Ability to manage complexity and ambiguity
- Powertrain integration
- Engine and transmission development
- Combustion development
Head of Powertrain Engineering in Woking employer: McLaren Group
McLaren Automotive is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and fast-paced work environment in Woking, where innovation meets collaboration. With a strong focus on employee growth, we provide structured career development, generous benefits including enhanced pension schemes and flexible lifestyle options, and a commitment to diversity and inclusion that fosters a supportive culture. Join our high-performing team and be part of a community dedicated to pushing the boundaries of automotive excellence.
