McLaren Automotive Ltd
Principal Engineer – Process & Systems

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What to Expect
Reporting directly to the Controls Manager, the Principal Engineer – Process & Systems delivers and integrates manufacturing electrical processes, diagnostic systems, software deployment, and vehicle commissioning solutions across vehicle programmes.
The role owns technical delivery within its assigned scope, from requirements and process definition through validation, production introduction, issue resolution, and readiness evidence.
Working with Engineering, Manufacturing, IT, Aftersales, programme teams, and suppliers, the role supports delivery through VP, PP, SOP, and series production.
What You'll Do
- Define and deliver robust manufacturing electrical processes, system requirements, interfaces, validation plans, and implementation evidence.
- Deploy and support diagnostic toolchains, End-of-Line validation, software download, coding, commissioning, traceability, and fault-diagnosis capability.
- Ensure assigned solutions meet quality, cybersecurity, configuration-control, throughput, reliability, and production-readiness requirements.
- Maintain requirements, process documentation, PFMEAs, Control Plans, validation evidence, risks, issues, and release records.
- Investigate complex electrical, software, diagnostic, and integration faults using structured problem-solving methods and verify corrective actions.
- Coordinate cross-functional and supplier deliverables, escalating risks and recovery actions to protect programme timing, quality, and cost.
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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Graduate Consultant — 2026 Scheme
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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Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
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.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
Technical Expertise
- Vehicle electrical architectures
- CAN/CAN FD
- Automotive Ethernet
- UDS/DoIP
- EOL systems
- SWDL
- Coding and configuration
- Cybersecurity
- SDV
- OTA
- Manufacturing diagnostics
What You'll Bring
Experience
- Significant experience in automotive electrical systems, diagnostics, manufacturing controls, process engineering, systems integration, or vehicle software deployment.
- Proven delivery of complex technical work packages from requirements and validation through production implementation.
- Experience supporting vehicle programmes through VP, PP, SOP, and series production within cross-functional and supplier environments.
- High-performance, premium, or low-volume automotive manufacturing experience is desirable.
Personal Attributes
- Delivery-focused, analytical, resilient, and detail-oriented.
- Proactive and pragmatic, with strong problem-solving and stakeholder communication skills.
- Calm under pressure and committed to quality, process discipline, and operational excellence.
Success Measures
Success will be measured by:
- On-time delivery and validated readiness of assigned VP, PP, SOP, and series-production work packages.
- Reliable integration of diagnostic, software-download, commissioning, and manufacturing process capability.
- Achievement of agreed quality, throughput, availability, compliance, and fault-reduction targets.
- Timely closure of requirements, validation evidence, risks, issues, and supplier actions within approved timing and cost.


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What We'll Do for You
We offer a wide – ranging benefits package, which includes:
- 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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