Ford Racing Motorsports Vehicle Dynamics Simulation Engineer

Ford Motor • Concord, NC

7d • Hybrid

About The Position

Ford Racing’s Dynamics team supports race teams through vehicle dynamics and chassis engineering expertise, test-car and race-car data analysis, race-car setup consultation, and simulation. The team operates three Driver-in-the-Loop simulators at the Ford Racing Technical Center in Concord, North Carolina, helping teams refine setups and drivers realize the potential of their cars. The engineer will develop vehicle-dynamics simulations, design chassis architectures and systems, and support testing and track-side engineering across Ford Racing programs and future high-performance and hybrid/electric vehicles. Projects may also include customer race-vehicle builds, demonstration vehicles, simulation and CAE tool development, performance engineering tools, and tire modeling. The role uses simulation tools and vehicle-dynamics expertise to help win races and championships and transfer technology to and from production programs. The position is hybrid, with at least four days per week onsite at the Ford Racing Technical Center in Concord, NC. Working hours may include late evenings, nights, and weekends, and travel may be required.

Requirements

• Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering, a related engineering degree, or a related field of study.
• At least 2 years of experience in automotive suspension design, vehicle dynamics, or vehicle-dynamics simulations.
• Excellent knowledge of suspension, chassis, and vehicle dynamics.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Excellent communication and relationship skills, with a customer- and race-team-first approach.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with evolving products and needs.
• Strong work ethic and ability to adapt to requested schedules.
• High motivation and commitment, and passion to win.

Nice To Haves

• Master of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering degree.
• At least 3 years of experience in motorsports vehicle dynamics, including simulation, track testing, and interdisciplinary work with other engineering departments.
• At least 1 year of experience with simulations.
• Formula SAE experience in suspension and/or vehicle dynamics.
• Demonstrated history of Ford Operating System Behaviors.

Responsibilities

• Develop simulation and Driver-in-the-Loop simulator models to maximize vehicle-dynamics performance.
• Develop race cars and trucks using simulation engineering tools.
• Integrate simulation and simulator vehicle models with tire, aerodynamics, and powertrain models.
• Use simulator tools to meet customer and race-team needs.
• Run simulator sessions for drivers to develop and test race setups, acclimate drivers, and provide race engineers and crew chiefs with simulated performance data.
• Connect Ford engineering and programs with race-team engineers and race-car drivers to maximize on-track performance.
• Interpret data from race teams, Ford test vehicles, event databases, and simulations to improve performance.
• Use vehicle-dynamics knowledge and data to propose designs and setups for design of experiments and simulations, leading to optimum configurations.
• Contribute to improvements in simulator and simulation tools.
• Partner with race teams to prepare for simulator sessions.
• Partner with race teams to analyze car and driver performance at races and tests and improve race outcomes.

Benefits

• Immediate medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage.
• Paid parental leave, new-parent ramp-up programs, and subsidized backup 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.
• Employee resource groups.
• Paid time off for individual and team community service.
• Vacation time, sick/personal time, and paid holidays, including time between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day.

What This Job Offers

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