Description

Hybrid: This role is categorized as hybrid. This means the successful candidate is expected to report to Concord, NC three times per week, at minimum.

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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.