Senior Aerothermal HVAC Engineer

Overview

In this Senior role, you lead the HVAC and climate systems across McLaren’s vehicle programmes, driving thermal comfort and climate control performance. You will shape requirements, develop systems, and calibrate against demanding targets, while collaborating with design, controls, and vehicle teams. The role blends 1D simulation, CFD, rig testing and vehicle development to advance high-performance thermal management. You’ll influence best-practice methods and mentor junior engineers to sustain engineering excellence.

Pay / Benefits

• Structured career development framework
• 25 days’ holiday plus bank holidays
• Enhanced pension scheme
• Discretionary annual bonus
• Private medical insurance and health cash plan
• Life assurance

Responsibilities

• Lead HVAC attribute and system development for vehicle programmes, owning targets, specs, development, delivery and sign-off within timing/investment constraints
• Develop HVAC and climate systems using 1D simulation, CFD, rig testing and vehicle evaluation to meet comfort, demist/defrost and cooling targets
• Lead cross-functional engineering activities to ensure robust system integration and validation across hardware, software and vehicle dependencies
• Present progress, risks and mitigation plans to programme leadership and Chief Engineers; lead HVAC-focused reviews throughout vehicle development
• Define and manage HVAC Design Verification Plan (DVP) activities with Vehicle Development to ensure testing and sign-off
• Define and develop HVAC control strategies and calibrations to achieve optimized climate control and regulatory compliance
• Act as subject matter expert in passenger thermal comfort, providing leadership on system design and control strategies
• Support continuous improvement of Aerothermal processes, including CFD, 1D modelling, rig/testing methodologies
• Mentor and support junior engineers, promoting engineering excellence across the department

Key requirements

• First-rate degree in Aeronautical, Mechanical Engineering or a related science discipline
• Proven experience in HVAC system development within automotive, aerospace or related sectors
• Knowledge of climate control system development, refrigerant circuits, testing methodologies and calibration processes
• Strong understanding of thermodynamics and fluid mechanics fundamentals
• Experience with 1D system simulation tools (AMESim, GT-SUITE, MATLAB/Simulink)
• Experience in CFD and thermal/aerodynamic simulation (ideally STAR-CCM+)
• Experience using vehicle calibration tools (CANape or equivalent)
• Ability to interpret complex technical data and translate into robust solutions
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management with senior technical and programme leadership experience

• Excellent communication
• Stakeholder management
• Presentation to leadership
• AMESim
• GT-SUITE
• MATLAB/Simulink

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