Driver Development Engineer

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At McLaren Racing, we’re not just here to try to take the chequered flag. We’re here to excite our fans, inspire our people and deliver for our partners. And we’re also committed to evolving our sport, our industry, and our technology, too.

Developing drivers is a core part of our mission, through our racing series and our Driver Development Programme, with which we aim to support and develop the best drivers through their careers from karting and junior formulae to WEC, IndyCar and F1.

Purpose of the Role

As an integral part of the Driver Development Programme (“DDP”) this role will closely support our drivers as they develop their skills and performance with us across all levels of racing and phases in their career.

A significant aspect of this will be through the exploitation of our high performance Driver In the Loop (DiL) Simulators by leading simulator activities and training.

Additionally, close interaction with the drivers and their teams both during and around race weekends in support of their development goals is to be expected.

Role Dimensions

• The primary reporting line for this role for objective setting and guidance will be to the McLaren Racing Head of Driver Development Programme, whilst it will be ‘housed’ for day-to-day reporting to the TPC Events Director within the F1 Heritage & TPC team (who collaborate closely with the DDP), within the McLaren Technology Centre.
• The role will involve significant collaboration and co-ordination with DDP, TPC and Heritage teams.
• The role will act as lead for the McLaren DDP simulator programme, reporting to the McLaren Racing Head of Driver Development Programme to ensure that the simulator development sessions fit into the overall strategy and needs for each driver.
• The approach to driver development using the simulator will be informed by the principles that we apply across all McLaren Racing series, particularly F1.
• The role will act to support the DDP in supporting, analysing and reporting on the driver’s performances and development more widely throughout their racing activities.
• Occasional track side attendance as part of our DDP, TPC and Heritage team activities.

Principal Accountabilities

• Plan, execute and report development sessions using the DDP DIL Simulator.
• Work closely with and according to the requirements of the Head of Driver Development Programme to ensure that each development driver’s simulator sessions fit into their overall strategy.
• Monitor and report long term driver progress to key people within McLaren Racing DDP and TPC/Heritage programmes.
• Develop standard simulator test planning, execution and reporting techniques, informed by F1 practices.
• Creating or developing tools and metrics to enhance driver performance analysis.
• Work with drivers to develop their technical and sporting understanding through different formats and contexts, including delivery of technical education workshops.
• Liaise with DDP teams to ensure our training and messaging to drivers follows a consistent approach.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Outstanding academic background with a BEng in Mechanical or Control Engineering.
• Experience of race engineering or performance engineering.
• Experience of working with and developing drivers.
• Familiarity with simulation tools and Driver In the Loop simulators.
• Strong analytical skills underpinned by a data driven approach.
• Experience of detailed race car telemetry analysis and its use to coach and develop drivers.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely with racing drivers, engineers and other team members.
• Practical experience of high level DIL simulators and operation of them.
• Knowledge and understanding of racing car vehicle dynamics.
• Previous exposure to the track/race team environment.

Personal Attributes

• Enthusiasm for all forms of motor racing and a genuine desire to develop racing drivers and help them achieve their potential.
• The ability to take personal satisfaction from developing and coaching others to success.
• Desire for continuous improvement in our performance, including analysis, operations and execution.
• An intelligent, data-driven approach to identifying and realising performance opportunities.
• Team player with excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to build strong relationships and trust with drivers and team members.
• Good communication and presentation skills to work effectively across multiple teams, with shared responsibilities, working under challenging conditions.
• Capability to work flexible hours and under time pressure.

What McLaren can offer?

We constantly strive to be better tomorrow than we are today. Our ambition is to be the most pioneering and exhilarating racing team in the world, and our collective task is to set the standards for high performance in sport. We show up every day with energy and enthusiasm, ready to play our part. We encourage and support diversity, equity and inclusion. We will actively promote a culture that values difference and eliminates discrimination in our workplace.

McLaren Racing is based at the iconic McLaren Technology Centre (MTC) near Woking. Our state of the art, sustainable campus offers many facilities including a gym, restaurant and indoor and outdoor break-out areas, as well as direct access to park and common land. The MTC is connected to Woking mainline station via regular shuttle buses, from which London Waterloo is a 30 minute train ride. We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including private healthcare, car schemes, life insurance and generous pension contributions.

Seniority level

• Mid-Senior level

Employment type

• Full-time

Job function

• Industries
• Spectator Sports and Engineering Services