NASCAR Performance Engineer

Job Description

Hybrid: Position does not require an employee to be on-site full-time, but the general expectation is that the employee be onsite a minimum of three (3) days each week.

The Role

The GM Motorsports Program is seeking a Performance Engineer to focus on developing, implementing, and executing regular investigations to identify key areas for improving on-track performance for NASCAR Cup series teams.  The role will encompass a combination of weekly studies, the results of which are conveyed through the group’s pre and post-race reports, and intermittent deep-dive investigations to develop new tools and analysis techniques or develop specific performance understanding in preparation for particular events.  These investigations will include research into prior event performance, race strategy, car build and setup, and implementation/application of simulation models for vehicle performance prediction.  Analysis tasks will span a variety of approaches, both utilizing data analytics to derive direct insight from on-track telemetry/timing and scoring data and applying vehicle dynamics and motorsports understanding to guide theoretical studies carried out in simulation and race strategy tools.
 

A key aspect of this role will involve working with a range of internal GM Motorsports groups and GM sponsored race teams to understand needs, convey analysis findings, and improve race team understanding to further effective application of GM motorsports work output and tools.  This position will leverage resources across the GM Motorsports program to develop recommendations to increase the competitiveness of GM Motorsports NCS teams. This position will work closely with the GM Motorsports Simulation group to refine simulations and advance analysis methodologies.  Coordination with GM production engineering, GM IT, GM Motorsports personnel, and GM race teams will be essential in both developing underlying knowledge and implementing solutions.

What You’ll Do

Support GM Motorsports NCS Teams with vehicle performance insights

• Mine prior event data for performance trends, analyzing series-provided telemetry, timing and scoring data, and derived metrics from GM Motorsports race strategy tools.

• Utilize vehicle simulation tools, both offline and DIL simulator, to characterize event specific sensitivities and derive favorable vehicle configuration directions and setup recommendations. Investigations will likely begin with large simulation batches/DOEs, followed by targeted application of desktop sims and finalized by DIL assessment.

• Correlate vehicle models, comparing logged track data with model output and develop relationships between performance and handling metrics and driver-perceived vehicle behavior.

• Convey findings in regular written reports distributed to GM NASCAR NCS Teams.

• Actively review quality of correlation, accuracy of previous recommendations, and process bottlenecks/weaknesses to identify areas of future enhancement.  Conceptualize and develop methods improvements and new tools to address identified issues and add value to customer race teams.

• Brainstorm new ways of achieving greater performance in targeted areas.

• Provide engineering support for rig and track tests, developing test plans, performing data analysis, and teaching team personnel to use tools and interpret simulation output.

• Travel to occasional NCS events to support at-track engineering efforts.

Build GM Motorsports program, furthering global performance initiative, team learning and improved analysis methods across the GM motorsports group

• Collaborate with Performance group members supporting other series to transfer learnings and adopt most useful analysis and reporting methods developed across the group.

• Coordinate with other internal GM Motorsports groups to share information, build knowledge base, and assist in collaboratively advancing support program. Provide race teams recommendations consolidating the newest findings across the GM Motorsports groups.

#LI-LP2

Additional Job Description

What You’ll Need (Required Qualifications)

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Physics, or related subject.

• 5+ 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 organization skills, forward thinking mentality, and a superb attention to detail.

• Ability to multi-task in a dynamic, constantly evolving environment, with exceptional work ethic and integrity.

• This job may be eligible for relocation benefits. 

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, 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.

• Familiarity with vehicle testing methods and data reduction from on-track testing, SPMM, and 7-post.

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 aspire to be the most inclusive company in the world. 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. Our Work Appropriately philosophy supports our foundation of inclusion and provides employees the flexibility to work where they can have the greatest impact on achieving our goals, dependent on role needs. Every day, we want every employee, no matter their background, ethnicity, preferences, or location, to feel they belong to one General Motors team.

Benefits Overview

The goal of the General Motors total rewards program is to support the health and well-being of you and your family. Our comprehensive compensation plan incudes, the following benefits, in addition to many others:
• Paid time off including vacation days, holidays, and parental leave for mothers, fathers and adoptive parents;
• Healthcare (including a triple tax advantaged health savings account and wellness incentive), dental, vision and life insurance plans to cover you and your family;
• Company and matching contributions to 401K savings plan to help you save for retirement;
• Global recognition program for peers and leaders to recognize and be recognized for results and behaviors that reflect our company values;
• Tuition assistance and student loan refinancing;
• Discount on GM vehicles for you, your family and friends.

Diversity Information

General Motors is committed to being a workplace that is not only free of discrimination, but one that genuinely fosters inclusion and belonging. We strongly believe that workforce diversity creates an environment in which our employees can thrive and develop better products for our customers.   We understand and embrace the variety through which people gain experiences whether through professional, personal, educational, or volunteer opportunities. GM is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statements

GMis an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local fair employment practices laws. GM is committed to providing a work environment free from unlawful discrimination and advancing equal employment opportunities for all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, all practices and decisions relating to terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, recruiting, hiring, training, promotion, discipline, compensation, benefits, and termination of employment are made without regard to an individual’s protected characteristics. For purposes of this policy, “protected characteristics" include an individual’s actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, lactation and related medical conditions), gender identity or gender expression, sexual orientation, weight, height, marital status, military service and veteran status, physical or mental disability, protected medical condition as defined by applicable state or local law, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws and ordinances.  If you need a reasonable accommodation to assist with your job search or application for employment, email us at [email protected] or call us at 800-865-7580. In your email, please include a description of the specific accommodation you are requesting as well as the job title and requisition number of the position for which you are applying.​