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- Tasks: Support the inaugural British Formula 4 season with engineering expertise and driver development.
- Company: Join FAT Racing, a groundbreaking motorsport start-up challenging traditional racing norms.
- Benefits: Unique opportunity to grow in a fast-paced, merit-based environment with industry leaders.
- Why this job: Be part of a revolutionary team that prioritises talent over budget in motorsport.
- Qualifications: Experience in motorsport or vehicle dynamics, with strong data analysis skills.
- Other info: Dynamic role with potential contributions to advanced technologies across multiple motorsport disciplines.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 ÂŁ per year.
Location: Upper Heyford
About FAT Racing
FAT Racing is a high-performance motorsport start‑up built on merit, ambition, and the belief that talent — not budget — should decide who succeeds in racing. Launching with our inaugural 2026 British Formula 4 season, we are creating a fully‑funded, performance‑based pathway from grassroots karting to professional motorsport. We exist to challenge the traditional pay‑driver model. No pay seats. No shortcuts. Just performance. As a first‑season organisation with plans to scale into Formula 3 and Formula 2, this is a ground‑floor opportunity in a fast‑moving, high‑pressure environment. We’re looking for driven individuals who thrive on high standards, ownership, and being part of something that’s building momentum.
Role Summary
FAT Racing is seeking a Freelance Performance Engineer to support our inaugural 2026 British Formula 4 season and contribute to our mission of creating a merit‑based pathway from grassroots karting to professional motorsport. This is a unique opportunity to join a fast‑growing motorsport start‑up at the ground floor. You'll assist at the intersection of professional racing operations and advanced engineering, collaborating with our F4 partner team to deliver technical excellence while building capabilities that will scale as FAT Racing expands into Formula 3 and Formula 2. As Performance Engineer you’ll provide engineering support before, during, and after testing and race weekends throughout the 2026 British F4 season. You will play a key role in developing our young drivers trackside and on the Driver‑in‑the‑Loop simulator, as well as developing in‑house capabilities through lap‑time simulation, vehicle modelling, and correlation testing. Beyond F4 you’ll have the opportunity to contribute to Smedley Group’s Advanced Technologies projects, working alongside industry leaders across Formula 1, SaaS, enterprise technology, and media.
Key Responsibilities
- Race Weekend Engineering Support: Collaborate with our F4 partner team to provide trackside engineering support, including setup optimisation, telemetry analysis, and performance engineering throughout the 2026 season. Contribute to session planning, real‑time decision‑making, and post‑session debriefs, maintaining clear engineering documentation and performance tracking. Deliver detailed technical reports and support continuous performance development across events.
- Driver Development & Simulator Correlation: Lead the relevant areas of FAT Racing’s in‑house simulator programme targeted at preparing the driver to a high‑level pre‑event. Lead correlation programme between lap‑time simulation tools and on‑track F4 performance.
- Technical Analysis & Continuous Improvement: Analyse telemetry, video, and performance metrics to identify development areas. Develop and implement data analysis tools and processes to improve engineering efficiency and driver performance. Maintain up‑to‑date knowledge of F4 technical regulations and competitor benchmarks.
- Advanced Technologies Contributions: Support Smedley Group’s Advanced Technologies projects outside race operations. Contribute to simulation, data analysis, and performance engineering work across multiple motorsport disciplines.
- Operational Support: Coordinate with partner teams to ensure seamless technical delivery across race weekends, testing, and simulator activities. Support logistics, equipment management, and resource planning as the programme expands.
Qualifications and Experience
Essential Qualifications & Experience: Minimum two years’ experience in motorsport, simulation, or high‑performance vehicle dynamics. Strong understanding of vehicle dynamics, setup fundamentals, telemetry, and data analysis principles. Experience with data acquisition systems and analysis tools (e.g. MATLAB, Python, MoTeC, AiM or similar). Ability to interpret complex technical data and communicate insights clearly to drivers and team members. Strong organisational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities. Self‑motivation, professionalism, and alignment with FAT Racing’s mission to broaden access to motorsport based on merit.
Desirable Experience: Experience in Formula 4, Formula 3, or other junior single‑seater categories. Familiarity with driver‑in‑loop simulator environments, including simulator correlation. Experience supporting developing drivers in coaching or educational contexts. Knowledge of British F4 technical regulations and championship operations.
Academic Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in Mechanical Engineering, Motorsport Engineering, Automotive Engineering, or a related discipline.
Equal Opportunity Statement
FAT Racing is committed to attracting, recruiting, and retaining the most talented individuals, regardless of age, disability, gender identity, gender expression, gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion, belief, sex, or sexual orientation. We strive to be a team that supports diversity in the workplace and promotes an inclusive culture in which all team members are respected, empowered, and valued.
Performance Engineer - Freelance employer: Smedley Group
Contact Detail:
Smedley Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Performance Engineer - Freelance
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the motorsport industry. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy to reach out on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on opportunities at FAT Racing or elsewhere.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! If you’ve got experience with data analysis tools or vehicle dynamics, create a portfolio showcasing your work. Share insights from past projects or simulations that highlight your expertise. This will make you stand out when you apply through our website.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by diving deep into FAT Racing’s mission and values. Understand what makes us tick and how you can contribute to our goal of creating a merit-based pathway in motorsport. Tailor your responses to show you’re not just a fit for the role, but for our culture too!
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after applying! A quick message expressing your enthusiasm for the role can go a long way. It shows initiative and keeps you on the radar. Remember, we love driven individuals who take ownership of their job search!
We think you need these skills to ace Performance Engineer - Freelance
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Motorsport: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for motorsport shine through! Share any relevant experiences or projects that highlight your commitment to the field and how they align with FAT Racing's mission of merit-based success.
Tailor Your CV and Cover Letter: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for this role. Highlight your experience in performance engineering, data analysis, and any work with junior single-seater categories. We want to see how your skills fit perfectly with what we’re building at FAT Racing!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language to describe your qualifications and experiences. Remember, we’re looking for someone who can communicate complex technical data effectively, so show us you can do that right from the start!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team at FAT Racing!
How to prepare for a job interview at Smedley Group
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of vehicle dynamics, telemetry, and data analysis tools like MATLAB or Python. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you're not just a fan of motorsport but have the technical chops to back it up.
✨Show Your Passion for Performance
FAT Racing is all about performance over pay. Be ready to share examples of how you've contributed to performance improvements in past roles. Whether it's through data analysis or driver development, showing your commitment to excellence will resonate with the team.
✨Prepare for Real-Time Scenarios
Since you'll be involved in race weekend support, think about how you'd handle real-time decision-making under pressure. Prepare some scenarios where you had to make quick decisions based on data or telemetry during a critical moment.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t shy away from asking questions. Inquire about FAT Racing's approach to developing young drivers or how they plan to scale into Formula 3 and 2. This shows your genuine interest in their mission and future plans.