Senior Supplier Quality & Development Engineer (SQD) - Interiors
As 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.
As a Senior Supplier Quality & Development Engineer, you will take ownership of suppliers within the Interior Trim commodity area, managing a global supply base for components such as trim finishers, seats, cockpit/instrument panels (IP), headliners, and other primary interior assemblies. 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 for Interior Trim.
What You'll Do
* Conduct thorough assessments of global supplier sites for Interior Trim components to ensure competent and reliable supply.
* Ensure nonIATF16949 suppliers achieve certification in line with nomination plans.
* Collaborate with Engineering and Purchasing to select and nominate capable suppliers that meet programme requirements for Interior Trim.
Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) & PPAP
* Support and implement APQP for all new tooled interior trim parts, ensuring timely and robust completion of activities.
* Work with Engineering and suppliers to complete PPAPs (including appearance approval) 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 Feasibility
* Collaborate with Engineering and suppliers to refine product designs, focusing on feasibility for processes such as injection moulding, inmould graining, chrome plating, paint finishing, component wrapping, foaming, sewing, and complex assembly for Interior Trim.
* Ensure manufacturing processes achieve quality, durability, and visual appearance standards.
Launch & Series Production Support
* Ensure Interior Trim suppliers meet programme launch, quality, and delivery targets.
* Manage supplier performance during series production to maintain PPAP compliance and address quality, cosmetic, and delivery 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, elevate issues, and drive continuous improvement.
* Identify critical suppliers and parts requiring cross‑functional engagement and oversight.
* Implement risk mitigation strategies to prevent supply chain disruptions and ensure business continuity.
* 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.
Supplier Development & Continuous Improvement
* Develop and implement improvement strategies with suppliers to enhance performance and capability.
What You'll Bring
* Strong understanding of manufacturing processes relevant to Interior Trim, including injection moulding of decorative parts, plastic plating (chrome, PVD, paint), foaming, trim wrapping, sewing, lamination, adhesion processes, structural foam moulding, and soft‑touch materials. Strong understanding of the end‑to‑end supply chains within typical automotive OEM supplier networks.
* In‑depth knowledge of automotive OEM manufacturing processes.
* 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 goods 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 and cosmetic validation for interior surfaces, including scratch resistance, UV stability, environmental durability, squeak & rattle mitigation, and fit & finish.
* Experience conducting feasibility assessments for visible and high‑touch Interior Trim items such as seats, cockpit/IP assemblies, door trims, finishers, headliners, and console assemblies.
* Familiarity with tooling and dimensional control specific to Interior Trim components.
Essential Skills & Qualifications
* Language: 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).
What We’ll Do for You
We offer a wide – ranging benefits package, which includes:
* 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 4x your basic salary
* Benefits you can adapt to your lifestyle, such as discounted shopping
* Generous parental leave policies including market leading maternity leave
* A range of wellbeing initiatives, such as employee assistance programme and free financial & mortgage advice
* Friends and family day
* Opportunities to experience our fantastic cars
* Qualifying criteria applies
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.
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