Chris Bates Email & Phone Number

England, United Kingdom

Woking, Surrey, Uk

The Head of Vehicle Package & Ergonomics will provide sole technical direction and lead a team responsible for producing the entire vehicle layout and definition, the design of all aspects of occupant packaging and their attribute development and legislative compliance from pre-G0 activities through to Engineering sign-off at G7.The Head of Vehicle Package & Ergonomics is accountable for delivering the optimal, most innovative technical design of the fundamental ergonomics and architectural layout. Working to push the boundaries of what is possible within the Package and Ergonomics attributeThe Head of Vehicle Package & Ergonomics is also the technical Subject Matter Expert (SME) in this field and is accountable for ensuring:• The package and ergonomic layout of all McLaren vehicles is seen as class leading in its field.• The optimal, most innovative technical design of fundamental ergonomics and architectural layout while working to push the boundaries of possibilities within the Package and Ergonomics attribute• Lead early development of vehicle architecture layout, supplying expertise, support and information to the Exec to enable Business Plan product planning and ensuring package and attribute targets can be met• Cross-Functional Technical direction is provided to the Sales & Marketing, Design, Design Engineering and Vehicle Development throughout the lifecycle of a programme.• McLaren Automotive remain at the forefront of automotive design through the study of state of the art technologies, materials, cross-industry engineering design and competitor analyses.

Woking

I have been fortunate to play a leading role in engineering many iconic high-performance cars for McLaren Automotive. My career has lead me to lead a small team of innovative and dedicated engineers, if the field of package & ergonomics.I am currently working in the areas of vehicle package & architecture design, ergonomics, concept design, vehicle assessment, objective and subjective target setting & testing. Working from pre- project kick off to final vehicle sign-offWorking as a technical expert is the following areas of automotive design ● vehicle package & architecture ● driving ergonomics ● occupant layout ● seat comfort & support ● interior switches and display layout ● subjective & objective testing of ergonomics & vehicle package, and more.[I am not looking for a new role , but I am always looking for exceptional talent to hire. If that is you, please get in touch using LinkedIn messaging]

Woking

-Report directly Chief Designer during concept phase of projects.-Ergonomic and Package Attribute manager-Legislation geometric study/ confirmation. -Complete car packaging and concept studies including styling feasibility. -Chassis, powertrain, interior, electrical, BIW and body systems design, packaging and detailing from prototype to production, including and Mule car applications. -Reconcile manufacturing and assembly feasibility with aerodynamics, styling and component or system specifications -Stand-alone mechanical system design projects to fulfil specific future engineering or commercial requirements. Identify opportunities to reduce complexity, cost and weight. -Check the content of designs for release against the specification, the data integrity of CAD geometry and resolution of digital build concerns prior to sign-off. -Support activities for weight-down, cost-down, build concern resolution and process-improvement. -Communicate progress and critical issues to the Studio Manager and the Chief Designer.

Cranfield, United Kingdom

Principle Design Engineer Micra C+C / Upper Body & Closure Systems- Sole responsibility for all aspects of post S.O.P. technical design engineering changes, for the Micra C+C retractable hardtop vehicle program.- Technical responsibility Upper Body Design, including Retractable Hard Top, Upper Body Structure, Door Systems & Sealing Systems etc.- Project Manage implementation of design changes, with supplier and manufacturing facility, through to vehicle adoption. Agreeing timing plans and evaluating costs.- Tier 1 supplier liaison, through out European supplier bases. (Karmann, Grupo Antolin, Pilkington, Metzeler etc.)- Identification of route causes, action plans & design solutions, for warranty, manufacturing and field concerns.- Overseeing & assessing vehicle tests to ‘prove-out’ design ideas, and meet Nissan Standards.- Weight and cost down activities- Maintenance of Bill of Materials system. (ANEMS).- Use of ANEMS, G2B, Spacevision, Global Cars, QBase.

Gothenburg, Sweden

Packaging Engineer/GOA/ Upper Body Systems / CATIA V4 & V5- Packaging Complete Upper Body.- Co-ordination of vehicle specifications, legislation & styling demands to meet engineering, legislation and geometry requirements. - Evaluation of concept styling proposals for interior and exterior designs.- Responsible for problem solving & progress reports (Scorecards), through coordinated weekly meetings.- Use of VPM, PM, DMU navigator, Catia, Lotus Notes, Net meeting.- Communicating platform issues internationally between Ford and Land Rover.

Gent, Belgium

- Working with Door Systems on the Volvo V40/50 production launch.- Identifying & solving, quality, manufacturing & design issues. - Communicating problems to all levels of the project team, and direct liaison with all European suppliers and manufacturing plants.- Liaison between Volvo, Ford, Brose, ArvinMeritor & 2nd tier suppliers.- Use of 8D/ 6 Sigma /Ford WERS quality systems.- Working under my own initiative as the sole ArvinMeritor reprehensive in Belgium.

Gothenburg, Sweden

B.I.W. Design Engineer / Bodyside Structures / CATIA - Responsibility for Bodyside Structure/ VOLVO S40 & V50- Design responsible for Styling Feasibility, Concept Studies, Package interfaces, Digital Builds, Prototype, Production Releases to Hard Tooling Release- Direct communication with styling, manufacturing, upper management, suppliers, tool makers & analysis etc.