Job: Central Performance Engineer
Team: W Racing Team
Program: GTP IMSA
Group: IMSA Engineering Group (IMSA_EG)
Reporting to: WRT Hypercar>P Lead Engineer (LENG)
As the Central Performance Engineer within our GTP/IMSA race program, you will work at the center of the team between both BMW M Hybrid V8 race cars and support the complete engineering group for maximizing vehicle performance across simulation, testing, and race events.
You will be responsible for analysing car and driver data, identifying performance opportunities and for leading setup decisions. The role provides a direct link between the car-specific performance engineers, race engineers, strategy group, systems engineers and drivers for all performance related matters.
With a broad overview of both cars and the overall team operation, the Central Performance Engineer is responsible for identifying cross-car performance trends, coordinating shared engineering activities and ensuring that all performance relevant information is analyzed, communicated and implemented efficiently.
The role is particularly suited to an engineer who combines strong technical analysis with excellent communication, organization and trackside decision-making skills and requires a deep technical understanding of modern prototype race cars, strong data analysis skills, and the ability to operate under pressure in a fast-paced, competitive environment.
Tasks and responsibilities contain as a baseline, but are not limited to the following:
- Work centrally within the WRT-BMW Engineering Group (Performance Engineering) in WEC to continuously optimize and improve performance of our LMDh race cars.
- Work in tight collaboration with the race-, performance- and systems-engineers.
- Provide performance and driver analysis to support Race Engineer on setup/performance systems directions prior to, during and post event.
- Compare and analyze the performance of both cars, identifying differences, opportunities and potential issues.
- Coordinate cross-car engineering topics and ensure that relevant findings are shared efficiently.
- Lead pre-event setup preparation and post event setup analysis report.
- Responsible for performance simulations: preparation, execution and analysis.• Performance overview throughout the use of KPI, data analysis and simulations.
- Provide race strategy support to Race Engineer and Strategy Group with setup, controls systems and energy management tracking and optimization.
- Work collaboratively with vehicle dynamics, tire, systems, and simulation teams to validate tools and models.
- Conduct competitor analysis using IMSA data, onboard footage, and lap-time modelling.
- Assist in developing automated tools for data processing and visualization.
- Support rig tests, dyno work, and simulator sessions as required.
- Ensure compliance with technical regulations and BoP (Balance of Performance) limitations.
- Be responsible for dedicated performance-related tasks assigned by WRT LMDh Chief Engineer.
- Work with global BMW and WRT engineering groups to maintain, develop and update any Engineering and analysis tools and software.
The Central Performance Engineer should have the following desired skillset:
- Degree in Motorsport Engineering, Mechanical Engineering.
- 6+ years of experience in professional motorsport, preferably in WEC, IMSA, Formula E or F1/F2
- Experience working with multiple engineering disciplines and supporting more than one race car
- Strong understanding of race-car performance and vehicle data analysis
- Strong proficiency with data analysis software (e.g., MATLAB, Python, ATLAS/MoTeC, Excel)
- In-depth understanding of vehicle dynamics, tire modelling, and aerodynamics
- Experience with simulation tools (e.g., lap-time simulation, driver-in-the-loop simulators)
- Ability to analyze and communicate findings quickly in a high-pressure environment with tight deadlines
- Excellent communication skills for clear interaction with technical teams and drivers
- Flexibility to travel extensively, including weekends and long hours at race and test events.
- Promote our values (People, Passion, Performance) and commit to personal investment into the WRT ESG strategy.
If you would like to be considered for this opportunity, please click Apply and submit your resume and cover letter.
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