Lead NASCAR Aerodynamics Engineer

Oshkosh Corporation•Huntersville, NC

4d•$118,600 - $204,000•Onsite

About The Position

Pratt Miller, an Oshkosh company, is a product development company serving motorsports, defense, and mobility industries, with capabilities spanning research and development, engineering, prototype manufacturing, test and validation, and low-rate production. The Lead NASCAR Aerodynamics Engineer will lead wind tunnel and track-focused activities, including test planning, test-article preparation, execution, data analysis, reporting, and implementation of findings in race-vehicle specifications and simulation tools. The role works closely with internal aerodynamics, CFD, design, and fabrication teams and other team resources to apply and develop modern methods. The position leads areas of aerodynamic development from design specification and conceptual layout through component optimization, physical realization, and on-track performance verification. It is part of the Motorsports NASCAR Program at Pratt Miller’s Huntersville, North Carolina location. Local travel for team visits and overnight travel for track testing and race attendance are required as needed. The role involves wind-tunnel testing, track testing, real-world performance correlation, aerodynamic and thermal analysis, development of concepts and surfaces, and communicating findings to customers. It also collaborates with manufacturing, model-making, electronics, software, and race-operations groups. The position requires a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering and at least six years of professional motorsport or automotive aerodynamics experience. An advanced degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering is preferred. The role is day shift, with a start time between 7:00 AM and 9:00 AM, Monday through Friday, and requires schedule flexibility for deadlines, occasional weekend work, and off-hour or weekend wind-tunnel shifts. Travel is required for wind-tunnel tests, team visits, track events, and meetings. The stated target pay range is $118,600 to $204,000.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering.
Minimum of 6 years of professional motorsport or automotive aerodynamics experience.
Experience in wind-tunnel test planning, execution, and data analysis.
Understanding of aerodynamics as an integral part of overall race-vehicle performance.
Conceptual and technical understanding of motorsports aerodynamics, with ability to develop solutions from first principles.
Ability to perform hands-on work and fit test parts in a shop or at a wind tunnel as needed.
Ability to move boxes and parts weighing up to 50 lbs.
Ability to work independently with little direction.
Strong communication skills across platforms, including Teams, email, text messages, and phone calls.
Attention to time management, strong work ethic, pride in workmanship, and reliable attendance.
Flexibility to accommodate fixed deadlines, occasional Saturday or Sunday work, and off-hour or weekend wind-tunnel shifts.
Ability to travel for wind-tunnel tests, team visits, track events, and meetings.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering.
Experience in CAD surfacing design, preferably CATIA Generative Shape Design.
Ability to develop hardware and/or software tools to expand capabilities in correlation and flow-field understanding.
Ability to work with wind-tunnel specialists in different capacities, including passing down learned skills and knowledge.
Ability to suggest detailed improvements to systems and procedures to improve testing and process efficiency.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office tools for concise and effective communication.

Responsibilities

Lead the interface between Pratt Miller’s aerodynamics group and supported NASCAR race teams to develop and communicate aerodynamic targets, performance needs, and development needs, including toolset improvements.
Lead development of aerodynamic targets and integrate aerodynamics into broader vehicle system-performance optimization for NASCAR applications, including implementation and maintenance of aerodynamic maps in full-vehicle simulations.
Organize wind-tunnel test planning, coordination, execution, and analysis.
Lead the aerodynamic aspects of track-test planning, preparation, execution, and analysis.
Work with the Aerodynamic Specification Lead to incorporate aerodynamic developments into team vehicle builds and confirm maintenance of body-build specifications with test traceability.
Develop, communicate, and implement aerodynamic instrumentation needs for wind-tunnel and track testing.
Improve real-world race-vehicle aerodynamic performance through correlation efforts that improve CFD, wind-tunnel simulations, and aerodynamic models.
Perform aerodynamic and thermal analyses using empirical and numerical tools and synthesize alternatives.
Report and communicate findings to customers clearly, concisely, and in a timely manner.
Develop concepts and aerodynamic surfaces for CFD, wind-tunnel, and track testing.
Work with manufacturing, model-making, electronics, software, and race-operations groups to complete projects to a high standard.
Work effectively in a dynamic, fast-paced professional team environment and adhere to the work schedule with reliable attendance.
Travel for wind-tunnel tests, team visits, track events, and meetings as required.