Ford Racing Performance Engineer

Ford Motor Company • Dearborn, MI

2d • $65,100 - $166,200 • Hybrid

About The Position

Ford Racing is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Performance Engineer to support total vehicle optimization across off-road racing programs, primarily T1+ and Stock Trucks in global competition. The role also contributes to other Ford Racing platforms within the Performance Engineering Group. The engineer works cross-functionally with vehicle dynamics, chassis, powertrain, aerodynamics, electrical systems, race operations, test teams, drivers, and co-drivers to translate technical capabilities into competitive results through vehicle integration, setup development, testing, simulation, race strategy, and event support. The position is hybrid and requires at least four days per week onsite in Allen Park, Michigan. Domestic and international travel is required for races and scheduled test events, potentially including weekends, extended time away from home, and remote locations.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Engineering or a related discipline.
• At least 3 years of experience in race engineering, performance engineering, off-road motorsports, or a related field.
• Strong understanding of vehicle dynamics, suspension systems, dampers, tire behavior, powertrain integration, test methodology, and race-event strategy.
• Experience with vehicle setup and performance optimization in variable and demanding operating conditions.
• Proficiency with data acquisition and analysis tools such as Bosch WinDarab, MoTeC i2, Atlas, Pi Cosworth, or similar.
• Experience with simulation and modeling tools such as Dymola, VI Grade, CarSim, Canopy, or equivalent.
• Ability and willingness to travel domestically and internationally for races and scheduled test events, including travel that may involve weekends, extended periods away from home, and remote locations.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States; employment eligibility verification is required at hire.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in W2RC, Dakar, SCORE, Best in the Desert, Baja, NORRA, or other top-tier off-road series.
• Experience supporting T1+, rally raid, desert racing, or production-based Stock Truck programs.
• Demonstrated success managing complex technical projects across cross-functional teams.
• Experience in high-performance team environments with demanding timing and execution requirements.
• Strong understanding of durability, serviceability, and manufacturing considerations in motorsports applications.
• Familiarity with machine learning and AI tools for performance analysis, modeling, process improvement, or race strategy support.
• Strong communication, organization, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work effectively across multiple functions and priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Passion for motorsports and commitment to engineering excellence.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and implementation of methodologies, tools, and processes to enhance performance across Ford’s racing programs.
• Collaborate with cross-functional engineering teams to align technical objectives with broader program goals.
• Own performance engineering activities for T1+ and Stock Truck platforms while supporting additional Ford Racing programs as needed.
• Help establish structured engineering processes that improve efficiency, repeatability, and competitive performance.
• Lead planning and execution of test activities, including desert, proving-ground, and laboratory testing.
• Analyze test and race data to identify opportunities in pace, consistency, drivability, reliability, and strategic execution.
• Support race-event engineering through setup recommendations, performance analysis, and race strategy development, including stage planning, tire-pressure and fuel considerations, service planning, and terrain-specific decision support.
• Contribute to performance models and simulation tools to improve decision-making and predict vehicle behavior across varied terrain and conditions.
• Identify and apply emerging technologies, analytical methods, and engineering practices that enhance race performance.
• Lead pre-event, in-event, and post-event strategy reviews by assessing pace across different terrains and operating conditions.
• Provide data-backed recommendations to improve vehicle and system performance.
• Work with Vehicle Dynamics, Powertrain, Aerodynamics, and Program teams to ensure technical solutions are effectively integrated.
• Collaborate with race operations, test teams, drivers, and co-drivers to convert feedback into actionable engineering direction and strategic recommendations.
• Build working relationships across Ford technical teams to improve methods, tools, and outcomes across racing programs.
• Contribute to a high-performance team culture grounded in accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Benefits

• Immediate medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage.
• Flexible family care days, paid parental leave, new parent ramp-up programs, and subsidized back-up child care.
• Family-building benefits, including adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement and fertility treatments.
• Vehicle discount program for employees and family members and management leases.
• Tuition assistance.
• Established and active employee resource groups.
• Paid time off for individual and team community service.
• Paid holidays, including the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day.
• Paid time off and the option to purchase additional vacation time.

What This Job Offers

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