McLaren Racing opens 2027 engineering graduate and internship applications

The Formula 1 team is recruiting engineering students and graduates for roles spanning aerodynamics, design, performance and racing, with internship applications closing September 16

McLaren Racing has opened applications for its 2027 Engineering Internship and Graduate Programmes at its Woking headquarters

McLaren Racing has opened applications for its 2027 Engineering Internship and Graduate Programmes, giving university students and recent graduates a route into Formula 1 engineering at its Woking headquarters.

The two programs cover work across aerodynamics, design, performance and racing, with successful applicants joining McLaren in 2027. The 13-month internship begins in July, while the graduate program starts in September and runs for two years.

Internship applications have the tighter deadline, closing on Wednesday, September 16. Graduate candidates have until Wednesday, October 7 to apply.

Both routes are designed around working inside McLaren’s engineering operation rather than observation-only placements. Interns will take responsibility for engineering projects that can contribute to on-track performance, while graduates will rotate through different parts of the team as they build experience across Formula 1 operations.

McLaren said when announcing the openings on LinkedIn: “You'll have the chance to work alongside world-class engineers, contribute from day one, and help shape the future of racing.”

Four routes into McLaren’s engineering operation

The Engineering Internship is open to students completing a placement year as part of a degree in engineering, mathematics or a scientific discipline.

Applicants should be working toward at least a 2:1 degree classification or equivalent and must be available to start in July 2027. Previous motorsport experience is welcomed but is not essential.

Interns will be placed in one of four engineering areas. Aerodynamics includes CFD, wind tunnel technology, aero design and aero operations. Design placements can cover areas including bodywork, monocoque, pit equipment, suspension, systems, transmission and process improvement.

Performance roles span competitor analysis, performance analysis, simulation engineering and vehicle dynamics, while racing placements include strategy, pit stops and operational capability.

McLaren says interns will work on specific projects with support from experienced team members, applying their technical knowledge to unfamiliar engineering problems and working against demanding deadlines.

The graduate route has a broader rotational structure. Applicants need a degree in engineering, mathematics or a scientific discipline with a minimum 2:1 classification or equivalent.

Over two years, graduates will rotate through areas including Aerodynamics, Design, Racing and Performance. The role can also involve supporting race weekends during the season. The program is intended to build technical experience across the operation rather than train graduates inside a single engineering specialism from the outset.

Assessment dates are already set

McLaren has published the recruitment timetable alongside the vacancies. For the internship, candidates who progress beyond the initial application stage will receive a second assessment on Friday, September 18, which must be completed by Monday, September 21.

Intern assessment days will then take place at the McLaren Technology Centre in Woking on October 14, 15 and 16. Candidates selected to attend will be told the week before.

The graduate process runs slightly later. Applications close October 7, followed by a second-round assessment sent on October 9 and due by October 12. The graduate assessment day will take place at the McLaren Technology Centre on Thursday, November 12, with successful candidates for that stage again notified the week before.

There is another detail in McLaren’s recruitment process that stands out as employers increasingly experiment with automated screening tools. Candidates initially upload a CV and complete a short questionnaire. McLaren states that applications meeting the role requirements are personally reviewed by its recruitment team, adding: “We don’t use AI to make hiring decisions.”

Candidates progressing from that stage may have an introductory conversation with the Talent team or complete a role-specific assessment, followed by interviews built around scenarios and practical tasks.

Alongside the two student and graduate programs, McLaren is currently advertising other early-career technical positions at Woking, including a permanent Computed Tomography Trainee role and a Junior Aerodynamics Design Engineer position.