Motorsports Competition – Sr Performance Engineer

Job Description

GM Motorsports is looking to expand our motorsports group with individuals possessing a passion for vehicle dynamics and a drive to succeed on the racetrack.  GM Motorsports is currently racing in NASCAR, IndyCar, WEC, IMSA and Formula 1.  GM Motorsports has recently opened the Charlotte Technical Center to support all GM Motorsports Series from a single location to foster innovation and complex problem solving in a diverse, collaborative, and competitive environment.

Job Description

The Role

This role is in the Cross-Series Performance Engineering group within the greater GM Motorsports organization.  The goal of the Cross-Series Group is to develop performance-focused tools, methods, and complete projects that benefit all GM Motorsports series. As such, a broad understanding of vehicle dynamics, race performance optimization, vehicle testing, and simulation modeling techniques is required to be successful in the variety of work the group undertakes.  Given the inter-departmental nature of many of the projects, success in the role will be dependent on effective collaboration with a wide variety of teams, both within the GM motorsports group and external race team partners.  Being an effective communicator and teammate is imperative.

The focus of this position is in the areas of vehicle handling, ride, and vertical dynamics.  This team member will serve as the technical lead setting the direction for vertical dynamics work, conceptualizing analysis methods and new metrics, developing and implementing new tools, and actively participating in physical testing to both validate processes and derive vehicle performance insight to improve on-track performance.  In all these areas, effectively leveraging the latest technological advances in AI/ML, academic resources, and integrating learnings from across the Motorsports organization will be essential; thus, the ideal candidate is driven to grow their understanding and is a strong cross-collaborator with a solid foundation in vehicle dynamics fundamentals accompanying prior motorsports experience.
 

What You’ll Do

Collaborate with GM supported teams, GM engineering groups and GM personnel to:

• Assess current state of program-wide tools and processes, identify gaps, and highlight performance-improvement opportunities.
• Develop new methods to improve on-track performance using latest, cutting-edge features of the GM Toolchain, working with tool chain developers to add new features
• Relay newest findings, current areas of development, and updated tools and procedures to all relevant groups, internal and external
• Pool input and organize efforts across groups to conduct vertical dynamics rig-testing

Continuously strive to improve GM Motorsports programs’ analysis methods and vehicle dynamics understanding by:

• Developing metrics which quantify vehicle vertical dynamics behavior and accurately correlate with on-track performance and driver feedback
• Conceptualizing new approaches and prototyping analysis methods
• Validating and correlating new results with known behavior and previous methods
• Working across series to identify and apply analysis methods and techniques which benefit the larger Motorsports program – Applying solutions developed in one series to benefit all GM Motorsports series

• Guiding 7-post testing to provide vertical dynamics recommendations for future vehicle development and race teams as they prepare for events
• Exploring the limits of latest simulation and analysis tools, determining best use, and implementing techniques to improve on track performance
• Apply techniques, tools, and testing and offer solutions to handling and ride issues the teams of any given GM series may be facing
• Clearly present findings, recommendations, and analysis results through well organized and actionable reports and in-person follow-up

Your Skills & Abilities (Required Qualifications)

• Master’s degree in engineering, physics, or related subject.
• 7+ years of experience in a top-level motorsports series including NASCAR, IMSA, F1, IndyCar, WEC, or similar.
• Intimate knowledge of simulation workflows in a professional motorsports organization including both offline simulation and the DIL simulator.  Experience using simulation tools to optimize vehicle performance.
• Proficient programing in Python, MATLAB, C#, or similar language
• Extensive experience analyzing on-track performance through both application vehicle dynamics principles and statistical methods.
• Strong competency in vehicle ride characterization and 7-post testing processes
• Exceptional motivation, a forward-thinking mentality, and superb attention to detail
• Ability to multi-task in a dynamic, constantly evolving environment, with exceptional work ethic and integrity.

What Will Give You a Competitive Edge (Preferred Qualifications)

• Race Engineering experience with intimate knowledge of race car setup, event preparation, technical inspection, race procedures and race strategy.
• Proficiency in Motorsports data analysis software including Pi Toolbox, Atlas, WinDarab, Motec or similar
• Experience in multibody modeling and simulation using Dymola/Modelica, ADAMS, or similar
• Knowledge and experience in tire modeling, construction, testing, and validation.
• Experience with aerodynamic testing and applying physical and/or CFD results to vehicle modeling tools for on-track performance optimization.

GM does not provide immigration-related sponsorship for this role. Do not apply for this role if you will need gm immigration sponsorship now or in the future. This role is categorized as remote. This means the selected candidate may be based anywhere in the country of work and is not expected to report to a GM worksite unless directed by their manager. The selected candidate will be required to travel <25% for this role. This job may be eligible for relocation benefits.

About GM

Our vision is a world with Zero Crashes, Zero Emissions and Zero Congestion and we embrace the responsibility to lead the change that will make our world better, safer and more equitable for all.

Why Join Us 

We believe we all must make a choice every day – individually and collectively – to drive meaningful change through our words, our deeds and our culture. Every day, we want every employee to feel they belong to one General Motors team.

Non-Discrimination and Equal Employment Opportunities

General Motors is committed to being a workplace that is not only free of unlawful discrimination, but one that genuinely fosters inclusion and belonging. We strongly believe that providing an inclusive workplace creates an environment in which our employees can thrive and develop better products for our customers.

We encourage interested candidates to review the key responsibilities and qualifications for each role and apply for any positions that match their skills and capabilities. Applicants in the recruitment process may be required, where applicable, to successfully complete a role-related assessment(s) and/or a pre-employment screening prior to beginning employment. To learn more, visit How we Hire.

Accommodations

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