Software Engineer - Engineering Tools

The purpose of this role is to deliver performance projects, driving success on track for McLaren F1 Racing. In the Engineering Tools team, you will build innovative full‑stack applications and data‑driven solutions across multiple engineering disciplines, contributing to the development and operation of championship‑winning racing cars. As a senior member of the development team, you will provide technical leadership on a range of projects, including initiatives beyond your own team, and mentor less experienced team members.

This role is part of the Engineering Tools team within the Software & Data Science department, which designs and delivers bespoke software tools to enhance Formula 1 team and car performance. The team works across multiple engineering domains – primarily design, electronics, FEA, and reliability, with projects also involving aero, control systems, and manufacturing. These projects range from analytics and optimisation to process automation, workflow efficiency, and data centralisation, all delivered through intuitive UIs and system integrations. You’ll develop an understanding of engineering concepts such as structural analysis, dynamic systems, 3D modelling, and manufacturing workflows to build tools that enable more effective racing car design and production. Success requires strong stakeholder collaboration, deep knowledge of diverse workflows, and the ability to translate complex engineering requirements into intuitive software solutions. You’ll work across the full development lifecycle – from analysis and design to deployment, monitoring, and support – architecting scalable solutions that integrate seamlessly with the racing software ecosystem. Expertise in Python or TypeScript (and proficiency in the other) is essential, along with experience in agile/lean delivery in a fast‑paced F1 environment. The role is primarily based at the McLaren Technology Centre, with some remote work and occasional flexibility for out‑of‑hours or weekend tasks due to track, tunnel, and manufacturing operations.

Responsibilities

• Lead and deliver projects autonomously on time and budget, from analysis and design through to development, deployment and ongoing support.
• Architect robust, scalable, testable solutions that combine software engineering with data science to solve complex engineering challenges.
• Build full‑stack applications with intuitive UIs and API integrations that centralise data and automate workflows across multiple engineering domains, efficiently managing and presenting large volumes of engineering data.
• Collaborate with stakeholders across design, electronics, reliability, and manufacturing to understand requirements and translate them into innovative, performance‑focused tools.
• Contribute to the technical roadmap and strategic planning, balancing domain‑specific needs with a cohesive application estate.
• Stay current with emerging technologies and methodologies across software and data science, including modelling, optimisation, and ML/AI techniques, and integrate them where appropriate using an agile/lean approach.
• Provide technical leadership and mentoring, working collaboratively with junior team members to develop solutions, freely sharing knowledge and promoting best practice across the team.
• Manage competing priorities across stakeholder groups, estimate timescales accurately, identify risks early, and proactively communicate progress and potential delays.
• Develop deep domain knowledge of engineering across multiple technical areas.

Qualifications

• Degree/Experience: BSc in Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics (2:1 or above) or equivalent industry experience.
• Software Development: Extensive commercial experience delivering projects using agile/lean methodologies in fast‑paced environments.
• Full‑Stack Expertise: Strong background in building maintainable, high‑quality software.
• Languages: Expert in Python or TypeScript, with working proficiency in the other (backend services, data processing, and frontend development).
• Enterprise Applications: Proven experience with complex data‑driven UIs, RESTful APIs and integrations, relational/document databases (SQL, MongoDB).
• Engineering Fundamentals: Solid grasp of OOP, design principles, and patterns.
• Tools: Version control (Git), planning tools (GitHub, Jira, Azure DevOps).
• Ownership: Ability to deliver projects end‑to‑end, balancing vision, constraints, and user needs.
• Collaboration: Strong stakeholder engagement and translating technical requirements into intuitive solutions.

Desirable

• Depth in some areas and eagerness to learn others: Python: FastAPI/Flask/Django, data libraries (numpy, pandas), visualization (Plotly, Dash), ORMs (SQLAlchemy), task queues (Celery), testing tools (pytest), modern features (async, type hints), Jupyter.
• TypeScript: React, data‑heavy components (AG Grid), state management (Redux, TanStack), API patterns (REST, WebSockets), build/testing tools (Vite, Jest).
• Additional Skills: Data science/ML familiarity, DevOps: Docker, Kubernetes, Helm, Kafka, cloud platforms (Azure/AWS/GCP), 3D modeling/CAD integration, interest in engineering domains (vehicle design, FEA, manufacturing), experience in cross‑functional teams (software, data science, DevOps).

What can McLaren offer? We constantly strive to be better tomorrow than we are today. Our ambition is to be the most pioneering and exhilarating racing team in the world, and our collective task is to set the standards for high performance in sport. We show up every day with energy and enthusiasm, ready to play our part. We encourage and support diversity, equity and inclusion. We will actively promote a culture that values difference and eliminates discrimination in our workplace. McLaren Racing is based at the iconic McLaren Technology Centre (MTC) near Woking. Here at McLaren, we offer hybrid working with 3 days a week based in the MTC. Our state of the art, sustainable campus offers many facilities including a gym, restaurant and indoor and outdoor breakout areas, as well as direct access to park and common land. The MTC is connected to Woking mainline station via regular shuttle buses, from which London Waterloo is a 30 minute train ride. We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including private healthcare, car schemes, life insurance and generous pension contributions.