Reliability Group Lead Engineer in Concord

GM Performance Power Units is seeking a highly motivated Reliability Group Lead Engineer to support the development, testing, and trackside operations of our Formula 1 Power Unit. Based in Concord, North Carolina, this role offers a unique opportunity to contribute to a foundational area of our F1 program and assist in building a world-class reliability team. The Reliability Group Lead Engineer will guide a team of engineers and analysts working with development, operations, and trackside functions to deliver the tools, processes, and improvement initiatives that will lead to race wins for our advanced hybrid power unit, targeted for debut with the Cadillac F1 Team in 2029.

Key Responsibilities

• Power Unit Reliability Ownership: Lead the reliability engineering function for the F1 power unit across all subsystems (ICE, turbocharger, MGU-K, and control electronics), ensuring each component meets its design life target within FIA-regulated allocation limits per car per season.
• Failure Analysis & Root Cause Investigation: Direct systematic investigations into component and system-level failures working with both destructive and non-destructive methods to characterize failure modes and identify root causes across design, manufacturing, and operational domains.
• FMEA / DFMEA Leadership: Own and drive Failure Mode & Effects Analysis processes, working cross-functionally with design, test, and manufacturing teams to prioritize risk mitigation and feed findings back into the design loop prior to hardware build.
• Component Life & Duty Cycle Management: Establish and maintain component damage models that track accumulated duty cycles across dyno testing, practice, qualifying, and race environments.
• Telemetry Monitoring & In-Season Reliability Tracking: Interpret live and post-session PU telemetry data to identify emerging reliability concerns before they become failures.
• Factory-to-Trackside Knowledge Loop: Serve as the primary technical link between factory reliability findings and the trackside PU engineering team.
• Corrective Action & Continuous Improvement: Develop and track corrective actions arising from failure investigations, partnering with design and manufacturing teams to implement design changes, process improvements, or material substitutions.
• Regulatory & Compliance Alignment: Ensure all reliability engineering work is conducted with full awareness of FIA Technical Regulations governing PU component specifications.
• Test Planning & Dyno Support: Contribute to the design of dyno test programs to accelerate reliability development.
• Reporting & Cross-Functional Communication: Produce clear and concise technical reliability reports for senior engineering leadership, design teams, and regulatory stakeholders.
• Team Leadership & Mentoring: Provide technical guidance and day-to-day direction to junior reliability engineers and cross-functional working groups.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Aerospace Engineering, Automotive Engineering, or a closely related engineering discipline.
• Minimum 6-10 years of engineering experience, with at least 3-5 years in a reliability, failure analysis, or powertrain development role within motorsport, aerospace, or high-performance automotive.
• Track record of operating under obligation of results; accountable for defined reliability outcomes rather than activity-based deliverables.
• F1 or top-tier single-seater experience strongly preferred.
• Prior exposure to both factory-based development and trackside operations is highly valued.

Technical Skills

• Deep understanding of high-performance ICE systems, particularly under the 2026 F1 regulations.
• Solid knowledge of hybrid power-unit architecture.
• Proficiency in FMEA/DFMEA and reliability risk assessment methodologies.
• Experience with failure analysis techniques.
• Familiarity with data analysis platforms common in F1.
• Ability to interpret complex engineering drawings and understand manufacturing processes.
• Knowledge of component life modeling and duty cycle tracking for regulated motorsport environments.
• Understanding of FIA Technical Regulations as they pertain to PU component allocations.

Interpersonal & Organizational Skills

• Strong cross-functional communicator capable of operating effectively across design, manufacturing, trackside, and quality teams.
• Ability to work under significant time pressure, including race weekends and post-race teardown schedules.
• Comfortable operating in a confidential, competitive R&D environment with strict IP controls.
• Willingness and availability to travel internationally to race events and customer sites.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with 1D simulation tools for powertrain thermal/mechanical modeling.
• Background in hybrid/high-voltage ERS systems.
• Familiarity with PLM tools for configuration management.
• Previous exposure to FIA audit processes or technical compliance documentation.

Ready to be part of a team that pushes boundaries both on and off the track? At GM Performance Power Units, we are developing a new era of performance for the Formula 1 grid. Joining us means entering a startup racing environment backed by a legacy of engineering excellence.

Please note: GM Performance Power Units and all affiliated companies are Equal Opportunity employer(s). Minorities, women, veterans, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.