Simulation Driver & Performance Engineer

Are you ready to make your mark in the world of Formula 1?

At Formula 1, we are passionate about delivering the world’s greatest sports and entertainment spectacle leaving a positive legacy wherever we race. Innovation has always been at the heart of what we do ever since our first Grand Prix in 1950. Now, more than 75 years on, the sport remains a pioneer, developing technologies that have made a significant impact on society beyond the track.

Everything you see on screen or at an event comes via our passionate and dedicated people. Whether its engineering, broadcast, legal, logistics, security, event management, commercial, media rights, marketing, or communications there is always a talented team working to maximise the potential of the sport.

Role Overview:

We are looking for a Simulation Driver & Performance Engineer to join our Motorsports division. Reporting into our Motorsport Technical Director, this

engineer will support our vehicle performance research and development programmes, with primary focus on full-time development / test work through hands-on simulation driving and engineering contribution.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

• Contribute within a small F1 vehicle performance research group through use of vehicle dynamics & power unit simulation and data science analysis, with a specific focus on development/test activities that utilise hands-on simulation driving experience to validate and improve tools and models.
• Act as the primary driver for DIL (Driver-in-the-Loop) and other simulation testing environments. Provide structured, detailed driver feedback on vehicle performance characteristics, balance, and behaviour to support engineering assessments and tool development.
• Work alongside engineers to design and execute test plans within the simulation environment, contributing driver insight to performance assessment and regulation impact studies on current and future F1 technical and sporting regulations.
• Analyse, report, and present vehicle performance analysis results (and other group work results) for both internal and external review.
• Liaison with internal and external groups that possess the tools, technology and data of interest and foster relationships with all appropriate stakeholders.
• Maintain a positive relationship with the FIA and all F1 teams.

What Are We Looking For?

Qualifications

It is essential that you have:

• Degree (or equivalent) in an Automotive or Simulation related Engineering Field.
• Equivalent demonstrated competency through a sim/esports career combined with self-taught engineering or computing skills will also be considered.

Not essential to be successful in the role but you may also have the following qualifications:

• Masters or Post Doc qualifications (or equivalent).

Experience

Prior to the role it would be essential that you:

• Competitive sim racing or esports driving background.
• Ability to demonstrate practical applications and utilization of vehicle / dynamics theory and analysis of both theoretical & experimental results together with coding development of simulation and/or analytical software

Some desirable experience that you may bring to the role:

• 2 years+ experience in a vehicle dynamics or simulation engineering environment.
• Esports competition history or verified sim racing credentials.

Knowledge & Skills

Prior to the role it is essential that you demonstrate:

• Strong sim/esports driving ability with experience.
• Ability to provide structured, analytical driver feedback.
• Ability to use software code across multiple languages.
• Ability to analyse results and present concise data reports and visualisation with meaningful conclusions.
• Ability to plan and organise priorities to respect departmental deadlines.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.

Desirable, but not essential:

• Familiarity with MATLAB or similar mathematical analysis programmatic software and other languages e.g. Python and code development.
• Knowledge of DIL simulation environments.
• Grounding in motorsports engineering and environments.

Personal Qualities

In this role it is essential that you are:

• Smart and professional with good interpersonal skills.
• Able to work in a team and unsupervised.
• Positive approach to change.
• Promotes a collaborative working environment.
• Able to self-learn & research new projects from scratch.

Why join the force behind the sport?

Joining F1 means becoming part of a team that values innovation, collaboration and personal growth. We offer a dynamic work environment where ideas are heard, and employee contributions truly make an impact. We seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people to play their role in accelerating the future of the sport. As a member of the F1 team, you will be able to access our amazing benefits:

• Private Healthcare scheme  

• Dental Care 

• 4 x Grand Prix Paddock passes per season  

• Enhanced maternity/paternity leave and other family planning policies 

• A free staff shuttle service running to and from surrounding trains stations near to Biggin Hill   

• Free healthy snacks in our offices 

• Subsidised canteen in Biggin Hill, serving breakfast and lunch 

• 25 days annual leave and 8 Bank Holiday days, plus a Christmas period closure  

• Opportunities to develop and request training for your role via our in-house Learning and Development team  

• Discount on F1 merchandise 

• Discount at F1’s experiences including F1 Arcade and F1 Drive 

• Perkbox benefit portal and more

Division:

Technical