Lead NASCAR Aerodynamics Engineer

Oshkosh•Huntersville, NC

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Pratt Miller, an Oshkosh company, is a product development company serving motorsports, defense, and mobility industries. The Lead NASCAR Aerodynamics Engineer will lead wind tunnel and track-focused aerodynamic activities, including test planning, test article preparation, test execution, data analysis, reporting, and implementation of findings into race vehicle specifications and simulation tools. The role works closely with Aero, CFD, and Design Engineers, Fabricators, and team resources, and may lead areas of aerodynamic development from design specification and conceptual layout through component optimization, physical realization, and on-track performance verification. This position 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.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or Aerospace Engineering.
At least 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, including the ability to develop solutions from first principles.
Ability to work with a team of wind tunnel specialists and pass on learned skills and knowledge.
Ability to take on assignments independently with little direction.
Ability to suggest detailed improvements to systems and procedures to design staff to improve testing and process efficiency.
Proficiency with MS Office tools for concise and effective communication.
Hands-on skills and willingness to fit test parts in a shop or wind tunnel as needed.
Ability to move boxes and parts weighing up to 50 pounds.
Flexibility to accommodate fixed deadlines, occasional Saturday and Sunday work, and off-hour or weekend wind tunnel shifts when required.
Reliable attendance and adherence to the work schedule.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree in Mechanical Engineering or Aerospace Engineering.
Experience with 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.

Responsibilities

Lead the interface between Pratt Miller's aerodynamics group and supported NASCAR race teams to develop and communicate aerodynamic targets, performance, development needs, and toolset improvements.
Lead development of aerodynamic targets and integration into the broader vehicle for system performance optimization, including implementing aerodynamic models in full-vehicle simulations through development and maintenance of aeromaps.
Organize wind tunnel test planning, coordination, execution, and analysis.
Lead the aerodynamic perspective of track testing, including planning, preparation, execution, and analysis.
Work with the Aerodynamic Specification Lead to incorporate aerodynamic developments into actionable 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 aerodynamic performance of race vehicles 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 promptly.
Develop concepts and aerodynamic surfaces for CFD, wind tunnel, and track testing.
Work with Pratt Miller manufacturing, model making, electronics, software, and race operations groups to complete projects to a high standard.
Thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced professional team environment and encourage specialists at all levels to do the same.
Manage time, communicate through platforms including Teams, email, text, and phone, maintain reliable attendance, and demonstrate a strong work ethic and pride in workmanship.
Fit test parts in the shop or at the wind tunnel as needed.
Travel for wind tunnel tests, team visits, track events, and meetings.