Motorsports Vehicle Testing & Performance Engineer

General Motors • Concord, NC

8d • Hybrid

About The Position

GM Motorsports is seeking an experienced individual-contributor engineer to lead preparation, execution, and analysis of vehicle testing across trackside, simulated, test-rig, bench, and virtual environments. The role translates engineering analysis and test data into actionable direction to improve vehicle performance, working across testing, simulation, data analysis, and race-team execution. The initial focus is primarily on NASCAR-type racing programs, with potential support for IMSA/WEC and IndyCar.

The engineer partners closely with the test team crew chief, project manager, GM engineering organizations, mechanics, and partner race teams. The role includes planning test objectives and events, analyzing vehicle data, guiding performance development, integrating results across vehicle testing and simulation, improving analysis tools and workflows, and communicating findings through concise technical reports and presentations. The position is hybrid, with the selected candidate expected to report to a specific location at least three times a week or at another frequency directed by their manager, and travel required for motorsports testing events.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, physics, or a related technical discipline.
• At least five years of professional motorsports experience with a professional race team in a vehicle-development environment.
• Experience planning, executing, and analyzing vehicle tests or engineering development activities.
• Experience with motorsports data-analysis tools such as Pi Toolbox, MoTeC i2, McLaren ATLAS, or equivalent platforms.
• Knowledge of high-performance vehicle, tire, aerodynamic, or vehicle-dynamics modeling techniques.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills, including the ability to turn complex data into clear engineering direction.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including producing concise, evidence-based technical reports and presenting recommendations to varied audiences.
• Ability to work independently, manage priorities, and make sound engineering decisions with minimal day-to-day direction.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with engineers, mechanics, crew members, project managers, and external partner teams.
• Willingness and ability to work a flexible schedule and travel regularly to support motorsports testing events.
• Passion for vehicle performance and hands-on, trackside testing.

Nice To Haves

• Race engineering experience in NASCAR or a comparable professional racing series.
• Strong background in vehicle dynamics, race-vehicle setup, or performance development.
• Experience using Pi Toolbox, MoTeC i2, McLaren ATLAS, or comparable motorsports analysis platforms.
• Experience with driver-in-loop simulators, kinematic rigs, center-of-gravity rigs, or SPMM rigs.
• Experience with Dymola/Modelica-based simulation software or an equivalent simulation environment.
• Experience using MATLAB, Python, or an equivalent programming language to develop analysis tools or automate engineering workflows.
• Experience supporting simulation correlation, model validation, or test-to-simulation integration activities.
• Master’s degree in engineering, physics, or a related technical discipline.

Responsibilities

• Lead engineering preparation for trackside, simulated, test-rig, bench, and virtual testing activities.
• Partner with the test team crew chief and project manager to define test objectives, develop test plans and matrices, and coordinate vehicle and event readiness.
• Use GM offline simulation tools, driver-in-loop simulation, aerodynamic information, and previous test and race data to set test direction and priorities.
• Coordinate with engineers, mechanics, and partner teams during time-sensitive testing.
• Lead vehicle-data analysis using motorsports analysis tools and translate results into conclusions, performance recommendations, and engineering direction.
• Work with partner race teams at trackside testing events to provide timely, data-driven performance feedback.
• Drive simulation-correlation activities and evaluate the performance impact of vehicle, setup, or process changes.
• Plan and execute engineering activities involving SPMM, kinematic, and center-of-gravity rigs, as well as bench, driver-in-loop, and simulation environments.
• Collaborate with GM Vehicle Integration Engineering and Testing to connect vehicle-level test results with broader development objectives.
• Develop or improve analysis tools and workflows to reduce analysis time, improve data quality, or increase test-team effectiveness.
• Identify opportunities to improve how GM Vehicle Integration Engineering and Testing delivers performance value to partner race teams.
• Deliver clear, concise, data-driven pre-test, event, and post-test reports documenting methods, results, conclusions, and supporting evidence.
• Present technical findings and recommendations to GM personnel, partner teams, and other stakeholders.
• Build working relationships with engineers, mechanics, crew members, project managers, and external partner teams.
• Manage multiple priorities and complete projects to a high standard, on schedule, and in alignment with program resources and priorities.

Benefits

• Relocation benefits are available for candidates who qualify under company policy.
• GM describes support for employee well-being at work and at home through its Total Rewards resources.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level