Aero Performance Engineer in Woking

At McLaren, our mission is to set the standard for high performance in sport. Everyone, in every part of the team, has a role to play. High performance starts with you.

Purpose of the Role

Vehicle Performance is a multi-function group at the heart of our performance-led organisation. Our mission is to understand car behaviour, translate that into accurate models and tools, and collaborate across the team to maximise championship points and guide future development. As an Aerodynamic Performance Engineer, you will help drive this mission by applying your expertise, creativity and determination across aerodynamic analysis, modelling, simulation, test preparation and fast-paced decision-making. You’ll work closely with a diverse team to maximise our collective impact. This role requires occasional flexibility to work outside normal office hours, including weekends, and may involve supporting race and test events either trackside or from the McLaren Technology Centre.

Principal Accountabilities

• Analyse track, wind tunnel and CFD data to develop a detailed understanding of the car’s aerodynamic behaviour – both numerically and in terms of flow physics.
• Capture this behaviour in models that can be used to optimise the car’s performance within simulation, the simulator and within self-developed tools.
• Use this knowledge to help drive and steer the development of the car’s aerodynamic package and contribute to our CFD and wind tunnel development programmes.
• Support Race and Vehicle Performance engineers before, during and after events, providing aerodynamic insight and helping to optimise the overall car package.
• Support our race team to ensure that the race cars are always prepared to the highest aerodynamic standards and delivering maximum aerodynamic performance.
• Proactively provide innovative solutions (analyses, simulations, ideas, models, tools) to performance problems in the Team.
• Execute and promote fundamental studies which affect car performance.
• Maintain consistent standards and approaches adopted by the Team.

Job requirements

• MSc/MEng in Aerodynamics, Engineering or equivalent discipline (2:1 or above).
• Strong knowledge of low-speed aerodynamic theory.
• Experience with a range of languages (Ideally Matlab/Python).
• Experience with experimental aerodynamics.
• Experience working with engineers and race drivers to optimise on track performance, preferably in a trackside role.
• Ability in the interpretation of complex data sets to understand underlying behaviour.
• Ability to work to deadlines on a variety of timescales and balance your workload between different projects.
• Good knowledge of vehicle performance.
• Effective communication, both written and verbal.

Personal Attributes

• Enthusiasm for engineering and science.
• Open-mindedness when adapting to high amounts of complex new information.
• Ability to work to tight deadlines.
• Comfortable with rapid changes to planned work.
• Ability to expand on an idea and propose solutions to problems.
• Objective, data-driven approach.
• High attention to detail.
• Promote collaborative work when discussing results.
• A team player but with the initiative to make own decisions and work with minimal supervision.

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.