McLaren Automotive Ltd
Aerothermal Engineer - Thermal

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What to Expect
The Aerothermal Team is responsible for the delivery of all Aerodynamic, Thermal Management, Powertrain Cooling and HVAC attributes across McLaren road cars. From concept and research through to design, simulation, development, calibration and vehicle validation, the team serves as the centre of excellence for vehicle fluid flow, heat transfer and thermal comfort.
In this role you will be working closely with the other members of the Aerothermal team, primarily to develop the Powertain Cooling and Heat Management attributes. As part of your role, you will learn, develop and gain experience through training, mentoring and hands-on experience of live projects and tasks.
You will utilise a combination of 1D system simulation, 3D CFD, rig and vehicle testing to define requirements, develop systems and validate performance against demanding customer and vehicle targets.
The role requires close collaboration with a broad range of stakeholders, including Design, Vehicle Engineering, Vehicle Development, Programme Management, Product Strategy and Sales & Marketing, ensuring thermal system performance is fully integrated into the overall vehicle experience.
You will also contribute to continuous improvement within the Aerothermal Team, advancing simulation methodologies, testing techniques and tool correlation to enable efficient and concurrent development of McLaren's highly integrated, high-performance vehicles.
What You'll Do
- Develop the Powertrain Cooling and Heat Management attributes and systems for vehicle programmes, contributing to target setting, functional specification, development, attribute delivery and programme sign-off while meeting attribute, timing and investment targets.
- Use a combination of 1D simulation, CFD analysis, rig testing and vehicle evaluation to deliver Powertrain Cooling and Heat Management performance targets.
- Define thermal software control strategies and perform development testing (rig & prototype) to complete calibration and certification.
- Communicate system design progress and critical issues to attribute leads, programme management and the Chief Engineer, partaking in Attribute, Styling, and Design reviews to ensure targets are met.
- Define Design Verification Plan (DVP) activities, working closely with Vehicle Development to ensure successful delivery of testing and sign-off requirement.
- Support the continuous improvement of Aerothermal development processes, including CFD, 1D modelling, rig testing and vehicle testing methodologies, improving prediction accuracy, correlation and development efficiency.
Reasons to use Rodeo
I’m in my final year doing Economics and I don’t know whether to apply for grad schemes now or do a masters first. What do you think?
Honest answer — it depends on where you want to end up. A lot of top grad schemes (Big 4, civil service, banking) don’t need a masters. Let’s look at the ones you’d be competitive for now, and we can decide if a masters actually adds anything.
Also worth knowing: most autumn 2026 applications are open now. Timing matters more than you think.
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Why you're a good match
StrongYour economics background and your summer at a regional bank line up with what PwC looks for on the consulting scheme. Applications close in four weeks.
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Why you're a good match
You’ve got the grades and the economics background, and your bank internship is exactly the experience this scheme looks for. Apply soon — deadlines close within the month.
Experience fit
Your summer at the bank plus your econometrics coursework map directly to the day-one responsibilities on this scheme — client modelling, market briefings, and deal support.
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What You'll Bring
- First-rate Aeronautical, Mechanical Engineering or Science degree.
- Strong understanding of heat transfer and fluid mechanic fundamentals.
- Knowledge of powertrain cooling and thermal management systems.
- Experience with 1D system simulation tools such as AMESim, GT-SUITE or MATLAB/Simulink advantageous.
- Experience in CFD analysis and aerodynamic/thermal simulation techniques advantageous.
- Ability to interpret complex technical data and translate findings into robust engineering solutions.
- Creativity, the ability to develop ideas from first principles through to a final refined and optimised design.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.


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What We'll Do for You
- Structured career development framework.
- 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.
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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