Research and Development: Design and Testing Industrial Placements in Brackley

Brackley, UK

Build your skills. Make an impact. Race towards excellence.

Join the Research and Development Department as we take on the challenge of Formula One’s exciting new era of sustainable technical regulations.

By spending your year in industry with us, you will:

• Apply your learning in one of the most technically demanding global sports.
• Take on responsibility as you are supported and trained throughout your year.
• Join us for a year-long placement from the end of June 2027 to the end of July 2028.
• Work in a fast-paced environment at our state-of-the-art factory in Brackley.
• Be an integral part of a cohort of students working across all functions of our team.

Key Responsibilities

As an Industrial Placement in Research and Development Design Group:

• You will work alongside experienced engineers and take ownership of a variety of design and capability projects that support both our current and future Formula One programmes.
• You will contribute to Design activities associated with Dyno and Test Laboratory testing programmes, including full-car Dyno test events.
• Support the design and development of garage pit equipment used to support trackside operations, while contributing to continuous improvement initiatives across our testing and development facilities.
• Develop detailed CAD models, assemblies, and engineering drawings to BS 8888 standards.
• Gain experience in applying engineering calculations and Finite Element Analysis (FEA) to assess and optimise designs, supporting the delivery of robust engineering solutions.
• Design interfaces between race car components and test rigs to support performance testing, reliability validation and production sign-off activities.
• Gain hands-on experience supporting major in-house test programmes across the Dyno facility, Test Laboratory and other areas of the business, collaborating with Engineers and Technicians to deliver world-class testing and development activities.
• Support knowledge capture and continuous improvement activities by documenting lessons learned from testing.
• Contribute to the implementation of improvements that enhance the effectiveness, reliability and efficiency of future tests.

As an Industrial Placement in Research and Development Testing Groups:

• You will offer engineering support to the operations teams within one of our two main test facilities – the Dyno and the Test Laboratory.
• Supporting critical performance and reliability test events such as our Virtual Track Test (Dyno) and Seven Poster Dynamics Test (Lab).
• Develop and maintain Python based tools for automated data processing, analysis and visualisation.
• Plan and execute experiments for customers across the business, analysing data from the lab, dyno and car to understand behaviour, investigate anomalies and generate clear engineering insights.
• Improving testing, measurement and operational processes to make them more robust, efficient, repeatable and cost-effective.
• Capture lessons learned from test successes and failures to continuously improve future experiments.

We are offering three Research and Development placements within our team:

• 1 x R&D Design Placement – providing design support across two of our main on-site test facilities – the Dyno and the Test Laboratory.
• 2 x R&D Testing Placements - providing engineering support within one of our two main test facilities – the Dyno and the Test Laboratory during test events or through capability development projects (first 6 months of placement will be in R&D design).

Note that we will interview for the three placements together and make an informed decision on where to place the successful applicants once the process is complete. If you have a strong preference for a specific area, you will be able to make this clear during the assessment centre.

About You

Essential:

• Be currently studying a degree with relevance to engineering (e.g. Mechanical, Automotive, Aeronautical, Mechatronics, Electronics, Physics).
• Have at least one year remaining on your current course or be enrolled on your next course from the point at which you start your placement with us.
• Be curious, committed to continuous learning, and able to adapt quickly to change.
• Show determination and resilience when facing challenges.

Desirable:

• Experience and enjoyment of any of the following specialisms would be beneficial: mechanical design, producing engineering drawings, Finite Element Analysis (FEA), hydraulic design, conducting hand calculations to verify the appropriateness of a design, vehicle dynamics (lab), Powertrains (Dyno), Instrumentation, Data Analysis, Design of Experiments.
• Practical experience of building, maintaining and/or analysing motor/electric vehicles (for example – Formula Student, volunteering or racing in a series, building a kit car).
• Programming (Python and/or MATLAB).
• Track record of participation in outreach activities such as volunteering, charity work, mentoring.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to present information to a wide range of stakeholders and business areas.

Key Skills You Could Gain From Your Placement

• An ability to use a CAD package (we use CATIA 3DX) to design mechanical components and assemblies right-first time within a high-end motorsport environment.
• How to approach and lay out an engineering drawing to British Standards 8888, using Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T).
• Ability to analyse live and logged data to draw conclusions on system health.
• Knowledge of different test methods and rig capabilities in a motorsport environment.
• An understanding of how to work effectively across multiple disciplines.
• Enhanced programming skills in Python and MATLAB to understand and help to solve complex engineering problems.

Full training will be provided throughout your placement, with support tailored to your role and project work. An interest in motorsport is not essential; we are looking for motivated individuals with a desire to learn, develop and challenge themselves. Whatever your background, you will have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience, work alongside experienced engineers and technicians, and make a real contribution to the success of our engineering programmes. We are committed to making your placement a rewarding and enriching experience.

About Us

At the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team, every win starts with the energy to exceed our exceptional standards. It’s the belief and focus you give that powers our performance.

Whether you’re leading innovation, bringing precision to our manufacturing or supporting trackside operations around the world, every detail matters. We’re setting new standards in our sport, together. More growth, more pride, more of what makes our team exceptional. Give all. Gain more.

Benefits

When you put the effort in, we give it back. Start with a competitive salary, a generous joining bonus, add in a world-class wellbeing programme (including a free on-site gym), delicious, subsidised food, and private medical cover - all on our riverside campus powered by 100% renewable energy. You’ll have everything you need to thrive both inside and outside of work.

Why Us

We believe that building a more inclusive and diverse culture helps us go faster and further. From recruitment and building our future talent pipeline to internal communications and leadership training, we’re building a team where everyone can thrive and contribute to our shared success. Our aim is to attract, develop and retain exceptional people from all backgrounds, creating a workplace where all team members feel respected, supported and able to fulfil their potential.

Your Application

We will ask you to complete our application form as well as submitting a cover letter and CV. Please note, if you are making multiple applications please ensure to update your cover letter on subsequent applications. Our IP programme is designed with the intent to progress into available graduate roles in the future. You will be required to meet the eligibility criteria of the IP programme including any right to work requirements for your application to progress. As these roles are based in the UK, any visa sponsorship must meet current Home Office immigration rules.

Next Steps

As part of the selection process, you may be required to complete a combination of the following tests at various stages.