Car Chief - Motorsports

About Pratt Miller, an Oshkosh company

Pratt Miller is a product development company in motorsports, defense, and mobility industries providing clients with product engineering and low-volume production solutions. Our range of research & development, engineering, prototype manufacturing, test & validation, and low-rate production capability help our customers bring their high-quality products to market faster.

Pratt Miller Motorsports is seeking a highly skilled Car Chief to support the Corvette Racing program within the IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar Championship. This position is a full-time, on-site role based at Pratt Miller headquarters in New Hudson, MI, with responsibilities extending to domestic and international races, tests, and shop operations.

The Car Chief is responsible for the technical preparation, build quality, and operational readiness of one Corvette GT3 entry. Reporting to the Crew Chief, and working in close coordination with the Race Engineer, this role ensures that all vehicle systems are prepared to meet the performance, reliability, and safety standards expected at the highest levels of professional motorsport.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND SKILLS:

Typical responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

Mechanic Leadership and Oversight

• Lead a team of mechanics assigned to one Corvette GTD-Pro car, ensuring all vehicle assembly and maintenance tasks meet Pratt Miller standards.
• Communicate regularly with Team Manager, Crew Chief, Car Chiefs, and Race Engineers to resolve technical and operational issues for continuous improvement.
• Delegate and monitor work among Level 1 and Level 2 mechanics, ensuring efficient resource utilization in the time available between events.
• The car chief is responsible for identifying opportunities for improvement, collaborating with appropriate parties to resolve issues, and taking ownership for implementing solutions.
• Lead by example while coaching and developing Level 1 and Level 2 mechanics, following standard processes and using resources available to complete tasks accurately and efficiently.
• Motivate the team with a positive attitude, particularly during difficult situations.

Vehicle Preparation 

• Lead the preparation of one Pratt Miller Corvette GT3 car ahead of each event, ensuring that all pre-event development tasks have been accounted for and that all parts are being tracked. 

• Generate and oversee worklists with input from Race Engineers, Crew Chief, and Team Manager. 

• Work closely with Crew Chief and Race Engineer to prioritize vehicle reliability and performance development. 

• Proactively manage part inspections, rebuilds, and rotations to prioritize safety and reliability for every on-track event. 

• Prepare car assemblies to the prints and engineering requirements. 

• Refine and develop thorough practices and understanding of all subsystems of the vehicles.  

Spare Inventory and Tracking 

• Lead the data entry and vehicle build tracking using Pratt Miller database software to track part mileage and vehicle setups. 

• Working with Crew Chief and Pratt Miller departments to order spares as required. 

Trackside Execution 

• Responsible for ensuring that the mechanics and the car are ready to execute all phases of the event:  
• Equipment setup and teardown. 
• Vehicle service and preparation.
• Setup changes, diagnostics, and repairs between sessions.
• Lead the crew during pit stop execution.

• Pit stop role as tire changer or tire placer.

Additional Duties and Responsibilities 

• Maintain professional appearance of workspace, race car, and equipment at all times. 

• Regularly interact with sponsors, customers, and fans while representing the team in a professional and positive manner. 

• Support Pratt Miller initiatives, marketing events, and general development as necessary. 

• Knowledge of Microsoft Office (Outlook, OneNote, Excel) and ability to learn proprietary software developed by Pratt Miller. 

• Actively seek areas for self-improvement. 

• Support vehicle development and testing in addition to standard race team operations. 

• Help with feedback on long-term racecar planning, including future vehicle development. 

• Valid passport or ability to obtain a valid passport for North American and International travel. 

Education and Experience 

• 10 years or greater experience in Motorsports with a focus on mechanical vehicle preparation, car development, and event execution. 

• 3 years or greater experience in car chief role, preferably in IMSA, WEC, or similar professional series. 

Work Environment/Physical Demands 

• Stress will occur periodically. 

• Typical shop hours are 7am – 4pm with 1hr lunch break.   
• Longer shop hours will be required at times. 

• Team workouts from 7am – 8am, 4 days per week while crew is in shop. 

• Extended hours can be expected during travelling race events. 

• Travel of up to 60% is required. 

• Weekend and holiday work can be required based on race schedule. 

• Physical labor is a regular part of daily work. 

Pay Range:

$91,800.00 - $153,200.00

Oshkosh is committed to working with and offering reasonable accommodations to job applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability for any part of the recruitment process, please contact our talent acquisition team by email corporatetalentacquisition@oshkoshcorp.com.

Oshkosh Corporation is a merit-based Equal Opportunity Employer. Job opportunities are open for application to all qualified individuals and selection decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or other protected characteristic. To the extent that information is provided or collected regarding categories as provided by law it will in no way affect the decision regarding an employment application.

Oshkosh Corporation will not discharge or in any manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with Oshkosh Corporation's legal duty to furnish information.

Certain positions with Oshkosh Corporation require access to controlled goods and technologies subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations or the Export Administration Regulations. Applicants for these positions may need to be "U.S. Persons," as defined in these regulations. Generally, a "U.S. Person" is a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or an individual who has been admitted as a refugee or granted asylum.