At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team to develop high-performance electronic systems for elite motorsport.
- Company: Join Prodrive, the world's leading independent motorsport company.
- Benefits: Attractive salary, 25 days holiday, training opportunities, and social events.
- Why this job: Make an impact in motorsport with cutting-edge technology and a driven team.
- Qualifications: 5-8 years of motorsport experience and strong embedded systems knowledge required.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace valuing diversity and individual potential.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 £ per year.
At Prodrive we believe there's no limit to what can be achieved when the brightest minds come together. Joining one focused and driven team, you will challenge boundaries in order to change the game for our customers. We are the world's leading independent motorsport company and the business behind some of the greatest names and achievements in motorsport over the last 40 years. Our skilled Technicians, Mechanics, Fabricators and Engineers work together every step of the way to design, build and run elite competition cars on the track and off-road across the globe.
We are seeking an experienced Head of Electronics Systems & Software to lead a small team of engineers delivering robust, high-performance electronic architectures for elite motorsport programs, including GT3, WEC, W2RC, and other high-profile racing and niche projects. You will own the end-to-end lifecycle of electronics systems—from concept and validation to trackside deployment—while driving software strategy, data systems, reliability, and compliance with series regulations. This role combines hands-on technical leadership with operational accountability across factory, test, and race environments. Collaboration is key, you will work closely with Prodrive's Electrical Design Team, responsible for wiring harness and hardware design, ensuring seamless integration with vehicle and powertrain teams. Together, these groups deliver optimized, reliable, and compliant solutions for all programs.
Beyond technical leadership, you will engage with project teams across multiple programs to define system requirements, align priorities, and ensure timely delivery of electronics and software solutions that meet performance and regulatory standards.
Key Responsibilities:- Team Leadership & Delivery: Lead, mentor, and develop a small team of systems and software engineers; set priorities, allocate resources, conduct performance reviews, and grow capability. Establish clear delivery plans and engineering standards; ensure on-time, on-budget execution across programs. Foster a blameless culture of continuous improvement, fast feedback, and reliability.
- Systems Architecture & Integration: Define and own the vehicle electronics architecture: ECUs, PDMs, power distribution, network topology (CAN/CAN FD, LIN, Ethernet, FlexRay where applicable), gateways, and telemetry. Collaborate with Prodrive's Electrical Design Team to ensure harness design, connector selection, sensor and actuator selection, and packaging meet performance, durability, and regulatory requirements. Manage requirements and revision control across platforms (GT4, GT3, WEC LMGT, W2RC, other motorsport and niche programs).
- Software & Controls: Own embedded software strategy and development: low-level drivers, calibration layers, control algorithms, diagnostics, and fail-safes. Oversee toolchains and workflows (e.g., C/C++; MATLAB/Simulink; Python for data/tooling; ETAS INCA; Vector CANalyzer/CANoe; Bosch Racecon/Windarab; MoTeC MTune/i2; Cosworth Caltool/Toolset). Implement robust software release management: branching/versioning, CI/CD, hardware-in-the-loop (HIL), bench tests, regression tests.
- Reliability, Safety & Compliance: Drive FMEA, DFMEA, and robust validation plans (bench, rig, track); own incident response and root-cause analysis. Ensure compliance with FIA/series regulations, homologation constraints, scrutineering requirements, and BoP-related data handling. Where appropriate, complete HARA and Safety Concept.
Several years of motorsport experience with direct program involvement in high-level motorsport such as GT3, WEC, W2RC, WRC (minimum 5–8+ years preferred). Proven track record running a small team of systems and software engineers in a fast-paced race environment. Strong background in embedded systems and vehicle networks; hands-on with ECU configuration, sensor/actuator integration, and diagnostics. Proficiency with motorsport electronics ecosystems (e.g., Bosch, Cosworth, MoTeC, Marelli, Life Racing) and tools. Solid software engineering fundamentals (C/C++), scripting for tooling/automation (Python), and model-based design (MATLAB/Simulink). Experience with reliability engineering (FMEA, test plans), HIL/rig testing, and trackside fault finding under time pressure. Familiarity with FIA regulations, homologation processes, scrutineering, and data compliance; BoP awareness for GT classes. Bachelor's/Master's degree in Electrical/Electronic Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechatronics, or equivalent.
What can we offer you?- An attractive salary which will grow in line with your ongoing development and impact
- 25 days holiday (which increases with long service) with an opportunity to purchase up to 15 extra days
- Training opportunities for continuing professional development
- Onsite subsidised staff restaurant
- Car and pension salary sacrifice schemes
- Cyclescheme
- Exercise classes
- Paid time off for volunteering
- Consultations with our Fit 4 Life expert
- Social events throughout the year
- Exclusive company discounts
- Life assurance
We are an equal opportunities employer. At Prodrive we are committed to attracting and nurturing the best talent and creating an inclusive workplace. We value individual differences and diversity amongst all staff so that everyone has the widest opportunities to maximise their potential. We aim to ensure that no job applicant is placed at a disadvantage by practices or requirements which disproportionately impact protected groups and which are not justified by the demands of the job. If you feel you are right for this role, we welcome your application. Come and make a difference.
Head of Electronics Systems in Banbury employer: Prodrive
Contact Detail:
Prodrive Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Electronics Systems in Banbury
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in the motorsport industry, attend events, and connect with people on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! If you’ve got a portfolio or examples of your work, bring them along to interviews. Demonstrating your hands-on experience with electronics systems and software can really set you apart from the competition.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for technical questions! Brush up on your knowledge of embedded systems, vehicle networks, and FMEA processes. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you’re the right fit for the Head of Electronics Systems role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people at Prodrive. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Electronics Systems in Banbury
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Head of Electronics Systems role. Highlight your motorsport experience and any relevant projects you've led. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Share your passion for motorsport and how you can contribute to our team. Be sure to mention specific experiences that demonstrate your leadership and technical expertise.
Showcase Your Technical Skills: Don’t forget to highlight your technical skills in embedded systems, software development, and compliance with FIA regulations. We love seeing candidates who can back up their claims with real-world examples!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Prodrive
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of embedded systems and vehicle networks. Familiarise yourself with the specific technologies mentioned in the job description, like CAN/CAN FD, LIN, and Ethernet. Being able to discuss these in detail will show that you're not just a good fit but also genuinely interested in the role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Since this role involves leading a small team, be prepared to share examples of how you've successfully managed teams in high-pressure environments. Talk about your approach to mentoring and developing engineers, and how you've fostered a culture of continuous improvement in past roles.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect to dive deep into technical discussions during the interview. Prepare to explain your experience with software development processes, especially around CI/CD and HIL testing. Having concrete examples ready will help you demonstrate your expertise and problem-solving skills.
✨Understand the Company Culture
Prodrive values collaboration and innovation, so be ready to discuss how you can contribute to their team dynamic. Research their recent projects and achievements in motorsport, and think about how your background aligns with their mission to challenge boundaries and deliver high-performance solutions.