Job Description
The performance engineer directly contributes to the performance of the race car by working with the race engineers as well as independently to identify, test, organize, analyze, validate and communicate areas of improvement and ways in which the improvements can be realized. Using data, research, internal and external resources as well as other staff, the performance engineer will develop items and help to understand and optimize configurations that will aid in the performance of the race car.
Roles and Responsibilities
- Data analysis
- Use PI Software to collect, analyze, visualize and share time series data from multiple sources.
- Use MATLAB to analyze and design systems and set direction
- Use other software packages to analyze, predict and simulate potential gains
- Manage Pi toolbox math and help communize channels
- Assist in the development and execution of the data reduction tool/process.
- Vehicle Virtual Simulation Modeling
- Understand and work with simulation to validate and confirm potential gains in performance from development areas.
- Correlate simulation model and improve modeling techniques
- Assist in DiL simulation test preparation and execution.
- Vehicle Dynamics
Assist the Race Engineers in this area
- Understand suspension systems, tire dynamics and their influence on overall vehicle performance.
- Contribute and assist in 7post testing with the damper group
- Interpret and develop suspension systems.
- Model and modify parameters to improve performance.
- Reduce/interpret car data and provide support/direct
- Aerodynamics
Assist the Lead Aerodynamicist
- Understand, interpret and report aerodynamic information developed for open wheel ground effect race cars by using diablo and PI data systems as well as internally developed software.
- Implement aerodynamic testing principles in testing, simulation and race events.
- Aid in the organization, preparation and coordination of full scale and 50% scale WT testing
- Understand and perform Computational Fluid Dynamics to generate results to aid in aerodynamic development.
Qualifications
Qualified candidates should have the following:
The successful candidate will have a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering along with 4+ years’ experience in design work. Experience with PTC Suite, inclusive of Creo and Windchill, is strongly considered. It is highly desirable that the candidate have motorsports related design experience. Bachelor’s level Engineering Technology degrees with be considered on a case by case basis. Experience in the following areas will be advantages:
- Design of highly loaded mechanical systems and components. Examples include suspension, chassis and steering systems.
- FEA backed up with hand calculations, and knowledge of practical FEA application.
- Material selections based on component operating conditions and manufacturing considerations.
- Modern, low-volume manufacturing methods: hand fabrication, machining, casting, EDM, composites, rapid prototyping.
- Basic knowledge of vehicle dynamics.
- Understanding of fluid systems, dampers and/or damper design.
- Composite design and surfacing skills.
- Use of rapid prototype and scanning equipment.
- Understanding of Faro Arm or other measurement equipment.
- Testing
- Validate testing results with testing data.
- Create reports to disseminate results
- Perform repeatable tests.
- Develop high confidence results based on test plans developed specific to a particular goal.
- Follow through on designs to assure high confidence for reliable
- Engineering Design
- Apply strong understanding of material properties.
- Review and design parts specific to racing vehicles.
- Interact with production and machine shop departments to ensure parts are constructed as designed and specific race car parameters.
- Race Preparation
- Develop strategy tools, analyze tire degradation and cold tire penalty
- Weather forecast, simulation model reporting, understand available damper options,
- Oversee the integration of parts from the design group at the track.
- At Track Support
- Assist with data reduction; car handling, drivability, general diagnostics.
- Review and report on competition photos
- Review videos and report driver compares to race engineers.
- Update strategy report and tire degradation model throughout the event.
- Dyno dampers as needed
- Post Event Support
- Pit stop data reduction analysis
- Post event data reduction at the request of the race engineers.
- Report back to the design group any feedback on design related items.
- Travel
- Attend all tests and race events as needed to understand performance and follow up on new items
- Attend all wind tunnel tests
- Attend all rig tests