Vehicle Dynamics Test Engineer (Motorsports)
Concord, CA - USA
Job Summary
About us...
Racing is where our story began.
In 1901 Henry Ford climbed into a car he built himselfSweepstakesand beat Americas most famous driver. He wasnt a racer but he had to win. He did. Ford Motor Company was born from that victory.
That fighting spirit lives on in Ford Racing today. Were the engineers strategists and competitors who bring Fords track-tested edge into every vehicle we build. Every track every stage every proving groundthats where we prove ourselves.
The result: one of the worlds most iconic brands legendary nameplates and a team unmatched in the industry.
Our mantra: Race to win engineer to lead.
If youre a competitor innovator or performance obsessive Ford Racing is where you belong. Help us write the next chapter.
Ford Performance is seeking a highly motivated Vehicle Dynamics Engineer specializing in Wheel Force Transducer (WFT) testing and tire characterization. This role is critical to our NASCAR program bridging the gap between physical track testing laboratory data and advanced simulation. You will be responsible for the end-to-end execution of WFT test events from equipment logistics and on-track data acquisition to high-level data analysis that feeds our tire modeling and simulation pipelines. This is a high-impact role requiring a blend of technical expertise programming proficiency and the ability to perform under the pressure of a professional racing environment.
Responsibilities
What youll do...
- Travel to 12-14 premier racetracks across North America annually to execute complex WFT and tire tests.
- Lead pre-event calibration to ensure flawless data quality prior to track sessions.
- Set up manage and troubleshoot trackside network equipment for real-time data processing and distribution.
- Identify sensor or data anomalies in real-time executing rapid problem-solving to maintain data integrity during high-pressure test sessions.
- Represent Ford Racing at tire supplier lab testing events.
- Develop maintain and optimize custom software scripts and processes to streamline testing and data reduction.
- Expand and manage the ongoing development of Fords proprietary tire database and data plotter tools.
- Post-process massive track datasets organize data on internal servers and distribute highly accurate telemetry to cross-functional partners (Aerodynamics Tire and Vehicle Dynamics engineers).
- Run and correlate offline simulation tools with physical at-track data.
- Support Driver-in-the-Loop (DiL) simulator sessions specifically targeted toward the WFT car.
- Partner closely with the tire modeling group to drive tire model evolution and parameterization.
- Research and integrate new test techniques sensor technologies and data processing methodologies.
- Collaborate with partner racing teams to develop cohesive common test plans that benefit vehicle dynamics aero and competition groups.
- Manage the lifecycle of highly specialized data acquisition equipment including maintaining logs quoting new equipment and coordinating repairs with outside vendors.
- Maintain and organize the WFT testing SharePoint site to ensure seamless knowledge sharing.
Qualifications
Youll have...
- Bachelors Degree in Mechanical Engineering Aerospace Engineering Computer Science or a related technical field.
- 1 - 3 Years of experience.
- Proven knowledge of vehicle dynamics principles and associated physical testing methods.
- Strong programming proficiency for data analysis and software development utilizing tools such as MATLAB Simulink and Python (Proficiency in Visual Studio and C# is highly desired).
- Exceptional organizational and communication skills with the ability to prioritize effectively in a fast-paced environment.
- A deep passion for motorsports and an unrelenting commitment to engineering excellence.
Willingness to travel extensively (domestically and occasionally internationally) including weekends to support 12-14 test events per year.
Even Better If You Have
- Previous race engineering or track support experience in a top-tier series (NASCAR IndyCar IMSA WEC Formula 1).
- Hands-on experience with advanced simulation software (e.g. Dymola CarSim VI-Grade Canopy).
- Expertise in industry-standard data acquisition (DAQ) software tools such as Motec i2 Bosch WinDarab or McLaren Atlas.
You may not check every box or your experience may look a little different from what weve outlined but if you think you can bring value to Ford Motor Company we encourage you to apply!
As an established global company we offer the benefit of choice. You can choose what your Ford future will look like: will your story span the globe or keep you close to home Will your career be a deep dive into what you love or a series of new teams and new skills Will you be a leader a changemaker a technical expert a culture builderor all of the above No matter what you choose we offer a work life that works for you including:
- Immediate medical dental vision and prescription drug coverage
- Flexible family care days paid parental leave new parent ramp-up programs subsidized back-up child care and more
- Family building benefits including adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement fertility treatments and more
- 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
- A generous schedule of paid holidays including the week between Christmas and New Years Day
- Paid time off and the option to purchase additional vacation time.
This position is a salary grade 7 and ranges from $86600-$144900. This position is a salary grade 8 and ranges from $99100-$166200.
Final determination of salary grade will be based on candidates skills and experience and base salary will be set within the applicable range according to job scope responsibility and competitive market value.
For more information on salary and benefits click here: sponsorship is not available for this position.
Candidates for positions with Ford Motor Company must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire.
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race religion color age sex national origin sexual orientation gender identity disability status or protected veteran the United States if you need a reasonable accommodation for the online application process due to a disability please call 1-.
This position is hybrid. Candidates who are in commuting distance to a Ford hub location may be required to be onsite four or more days per week. #LI-Hybrid
#FR1 #LI-DH1
Required Experience:
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