NASCAR Performance Engineer

General Motors • Port Charlotte, FL

295d

About The Position

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.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Physics, or related subject.
• Experience with automotive projects/vehicle performance/amateur motorsports including Formula SAE or similar College project teams, late model, sprint, autocross or track day driving and car preparation.
• Basic understanding of vehicle dynamics and vehicle performance, experience analyzing vehicle and driver behavior to improve performance.
• Proficient programming in Python, MATLAB, C#, or similar language.
• Strong organization skills, forward thinking mentality, a superb attention to detail and exceptional work ethic and integrity.
• A driven, self-starter with an ability to develop solutions autonomously while still collaborating with the team.

Nice To Haves

• Experience analyzing on-track performance through both application vehicle dynamics principles and statistical methods.
• 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 modeling and simulation using Dymola/Modelica, ADAMS, CFD codes or similar.

Responsibilities

• 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.

Benefits

• 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Industry: Transportation Equipment Manufacturing
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree