At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the development of high-performance motorsport lubricants for top racing categories.
- Company: Join Castrol's innovative Motorsport Technology Team.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, health insurance, and career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in motorsport with cutting-edge technology and collaboration.
- Qualifications: Degree in Engineering or Chemistry; experience in lubricant development is essential.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive culture with excellent career growth potential.
The predicted salary is between 42000 - 84000 £ per year.
We have a great opportunity to join Castrol's Motorsport Technology Team as a Senior Technologist, where you will be project lead for the development and testing of Castrol's next generation motorsport lubricants in race categories such as Formula One, MotoGP, Formula E, WRC, DAKAR and NASCAR.
What does the day to day look like? The successful candidate will be part of a multi-disciplinary team, working on rapid-turnaround research and development programmes to deliver a variety of innovative lubricants, greases, Dielectric, and any other fluids that our motorsport partners need technical support for. The products being developed will provide the highest levels of performance, durability, and sustainability possible. You will be the lubricant authority for your tagged motorsport team and will be in direct contact with engineers and senior leadership from some of the top motorsport teams in the world.
Key Responsibilities:- Act as the primary technical interface for assigned motorsport partners by providing experienced lubricant development support, building strong networks across their technical organisations, and delivering detailed engineering insights directly to OEM teams.
- Handle lubricant development projects end-to-end by planning, accomplishing, documenting, and delivering R&D programmes to agreed achievements, budgets, and trackside-driven timelines.
- Lead the development and optimisation of high-performance motorsport fluids by formulating, refining, and validating products for engines, transmissions, chassis systems, and motorsport factory applications.
- Design and implement comprehensive fluid test programmes that investigate critical design characteristics including tribology, rheology, lubrication regimes, viscosity behaviour, surface chemistry, thermal stability, and other essential performance properties.
- Collaborate across bp-Castrol's technology, operations, and commercial functions by engaging with subject-matter guides, analysts, stewardship, IP, legal, quality, logistics, and external suppliers to ensure seamless delivery of development programmes.
- Coordinate lubricant quality control and product release by reviewing analytical data, approving or rejecting batches, maintaining customer-specific limits, and driving corrective actions where performance expectations are not met.
- Coordinate with Castrol's operational teams by preparing blending instructions, validating raw materials, and providing the support required to successfully manufacture motorsport-specific fluids for use in partners' factories and at race events.
- Support the Motorsport Operations Team by ensuring all lubricant-related shipments carry correct documentation and meet regulatory and safety requirements for global movement.
- Mentor and support colleagues within the motorsport technology team by sharing technical knowledge, developing capability, and supplying to a high-performance, learning-focused team culture.
- Champion bp-Castrol's technical excellence within motorsport by supporting internal and external communications, strengthening technical credibility, and reinforcing the value of motorsport technology to strategic OEM partnerships.
- Essential Degree or equivalent experience in Engineering, Chemistry, Tribology, Materials Science, or a closely related technical subject area.
- Demonstrated experience in lubricant, additive, or mobility-fluid development, including hands-on formulation, testing, or applied performance analysis.
- Solid knowledge of lubrication fundamentals, including friction, wear mechanisms, viscosity behaviour, surface chemistry, rheology, and lubrication regimes relevant to engines, transmissions, and other automotive systems.
- Confirmed experience delivering technical R&D or product-development projects, with the ability to plan work, handle timelines, document results, and drive projects through to completion.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including experimental design, interpretation of test data, root-cause investigation, and evidence-based decision-making.
- Ability to work autonomously and proactively, demonstrating ownership of technical tasks and responsibility for project outcomes.
- Effective communication and social skills, with the ability to present insights clearly and engage confidently with internal and external participants.
- Collaborative approach with multi-functional teams, demonstrating the ability to work effectively with laboratory staff, data analysts, operations, product stewardship, legal/IP, and external suppliers or test houses.
- Experience in motorsport-related lubricant, fluid, or additive development, or direct technical engagement with motorsport or automotive OEM partners.
- Strong knowledge of automotive hardware, including combustion engines, transmissions, electrified powertrains, battery/EV systems, or hydraulic systems.
Why join our team? At Castrol, we provide an excellent working environment and employee benefits such as an open and inclusive culture, a great work-life balance, tremendous learning and development opportunities to craft your career path, life and health insurance, medical care package, and many others. We support our people to learn and grow in a diverse and complicated environment. We believe that our team is strengthened by diversity. We are committed to crafting an inclusive environment in which everyone is respected and treated fairly. There are many aspects of our employees' lives that are important, so we offer benefits to enable your work to fit with your life. These benefits can include flexible working options, collaboration spaces in a modern office environment, and many others benefits.
Apply now!
Travel Requirement: Up to 25% travel should be expected with this role.Relocation Assistance: This role is eligible for relocation within country.
Remote Type: This position is a hybrid of office/remote working.
Senior Development Technologist employer: BP Energy
Contact Detail:
BP Energy Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Development Technologist
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the motorsport industry! Attend events, join online forums, and engage with professionals on LinkedIn. Building relationships can open doors to opportunities that aren’t even advertised.
✨Show Off Your Skills
When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, don’t hold back! Share your experiences and successes in lubricant development and testing. Use specific examples to demonstrate how you can add value to their team.
✨Be Ready for Technical Questions
Brush up on your knowledge of lubrication fundamentals and be prepared to discuss them in detail. Employers will want to see that you can think critically about tribology, viscosity behaviour, and other key concepts relevant to the role.
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at Castrol.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Development Technologist
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Motorsport: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for motorsport shine through! Share any relevant experiences or projects that highlight your love for the industry and how it aligns with our mission at Castrol.
Tailor Your CV and Cover Letter: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Senior Development Technologist role. Highlight your experience in lubricant development and any specific skills that match the job description. We want to see how you can contribute to our team!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language to describe your achievements and experiences. This helps us quickly understand your qualifications and how you fit into our multi-disciplinary team.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at Castrol!
How to prepare for a job interview at BP Energy
✨Know Your Lubricants
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of lubrication fundamentals, including friction, wear mechanisms, and viscosity behaviour. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you're not just familiar with the theory but can apply it practically in a motorsport context.
✨Showcase Your Project Management Skills
Prepare to discuss specific examples of R&D or product development projects you've led. Highlight how you planned, executed, and documented these projects, focusing on your ability to meet timelines and deliver results. This will demonstrate your capability to handle end-to-end lubricant development.
✨Engage with Technical Insights
Be ready to share your insights on recent trends in motorsport technology and how they relate to lubricant development. Engaging in technical discussions with interviewers will showcase your passion for the field and your ability to communicate complex ideas clearly.
✨Network Like a Pro
Since you'll be working closely with various teams and partners, think about how you can build strong networks. Prepare to discuss your experience collaborating with multi-functional teams and how you’ve effectively communicated with engineers and senior leadership in past roles.