At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead race strategy, optimise car performance, and communicate with drivers during high-pressure situations.
- Company: Join Ford Racing, a legacy of innovation and success in motorsport.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, health benefits, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with a focus on collaboration and continuous improvement.
- Why this job: Be part of a prestigious racing team and shape the future of endurance racing.
- Qualifications: Experience in top-tier motorsport and strong technical knowledge of race car systems.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
About Us
In 1901, Henry Ford designed and built the race car called “Sweepstakes.” On October 10th of that year, he drove Sweepstakes against Alexander Winton, a famous racer and builder. Against all odds Ford won. That was the beginning – “the race that changed the world” – and it continues to this day. From our victories at Le Mans in 1966 and exactly fifty years later in 2016, to multiple World Championships, the spirit of Henry Ford lives with us every day through our motorsport efforts around the world.
About the Role
This is a career-defining opportunity to take a pivotal role in one of the most competitive and prestigious racing series in the world. The Race Engineer acts as the primary point of contact for the driver and balances live race decisions, technical setup optimisation, and driver communication, ensuring the team operates with precision and confidence under immense pressure. Our ideal candidate will have a proven track record of success as a Race Engineer at the top levels of motorsport, combining calm, clear decision-making with technical excellence and a passion for performance.
Key Responsibilities
- The Race Engineer is the driver’s voice within the team, ensuring that car performance, reliability, and race strategy are delivered seamlessly. This role requires exceptional leadership and collaboration to bring together the efforts of mechanics, engineers, and drivers in pursuit of success.
- Driver Liaison & Communication: Main point of contact for the driver during practice, qualifying, and races. Translate driver feedback into clear engineering actions to improve car performance and setup. Build strong, trusted relationships with drivers, ensuring they are always confident and well-informed. Provide calm, concise instructions under pressure, especially during high-stakes, live race situations.
- Setup Direction & Vehicle Optimisation: Lead the setup process in collaboration with the Performance Engineer and Chief Mechanic, balancing data analysis with driver feedback. Make final decisions on engineering changes trackside, ensuring they are realistic, effective, and safe. Validate setup directions using performance data, simulation inputs, and trackside observations. Provide actionable guidance to the mechanical team to ensure precise implementation of changes.
- Trackside Leadership & Race Execution: Act as the engineering leader trackside, coordinating the activities of the Chief Mechanic, Performance Engineer, and Strategy Engineer to ensure seamless operations. Take ownership of all live technical decisions during practice, qualifying, and races, including setup changes, pit stop timing, and tyre selection. Work closely with the Strategy Engineer to evaluate tactical options, while making the final engineering calls under pressure. Provide calm, clear, and decisive communication to the driver and team during high-stakes moments. Quickly adapt to changing race conditions such as weather, track evolution, and competitor behaviour to optimise performance. Ensure all actions and decisions are compliant with FIA sporting and technical regulations, with professionalism, precision and safety at the forefront.
- Post-Event Analysis & Continuous Improvement: Lead detailed debriefs with drivers and engineering staff to capture performance insights and reliability concerns. Produce clear reports to inform future setup directions and strategy development. Collaborate with factory teams to ensure trackside learnings feed directly into ongoing car development. Drive improvements in engineering tools, systems, and processes to increase team performance and operational excellence.
- Health, Safety & Compliance: Promote a culture of safety, professionalism, and regulatory compliance across all activities. Ensure adherence to FIA regulations and internal company standards. Support the Chief Mechanic in maintaining the highest safety and quality standards for all trackside work.
Qualifications, Skills & Personal Attributes
- Essential: Proven experience as a Race Engineer or equivalent role within a top-tier motorsport environment (e.g., WEC, Formula 1, Formula E, Le Mans). Strong technical knowledge of high-performance race car systems, data interpretation, and setup optimisation. Expertise with data acquisition and analysis software (MoTeC, Pi Toolbox, MATLAB, or similar). Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for driver management and team coordination. Demonstrated ability to make calm, rapid decisions under pressure in live race conditions. Willingness to travel extensively, including internationally, for tests and race events.
- Desirable: Experience in endurance racing programs and the unique demands of multi-driver, long-duration events. Familiarity with FIA regulations and technical regulations. Knowledge of simulation tools and advanced telemetry systems.
Personal Attributes
- Calm and focused under pressure, with a solution-focused mindset.
- Excellent communicator, able to deliver concise instructions at critical moments.
- Highly analytical and detail-oriented, with the ability to interpret complex data and translate it into clear, actionable strategies.
- Highly collaborative, with excellent interpersonal skills for cross-functional teamwork.
- Passionate about motorsport and driven by the pursuit of excellence.
- Ambitious and driven to deliver world-class results.
Why join us?
We are at a pivotal moment in our journey, taking on one of the most prestigious and challenging projects in global motorsport. This is your opportunity to play a key role in delivering success on the world stage. As part of our team, you’ll help shape the future of endurance racing, working with world-class people and cutting-edge technology.
Benefits include:
- Competitive salary and generous performance-based bonus.
- Comprehensive private health and dental benefits package.
- Flexible working/4-day week.
- Generous holiday allowance & Holiday Purchase Scheme.
- Salary Sacrifice EV Car & Bike Scheme plus on-site free EV charging.
- Opportunities for professional development and growth.
- Collaborative and innovative work environment.
- Social events and clubs/sport.
If you’re interested in applying for this role, please send us your CV and a cover letter outlining your relevant experience and why you believe you are a strong fit. Please ensure your cover letter clearly addresses your relevant skills and experience. Personal data submitted as part of the application process will be handled in accordance with our Privacy Policy. Venture Engineering Ltd is an equal opportunity employer. We value and celebrate diversity and are committed to fostering an inclusive environment for all employees. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds.
Race Engineer - Ford Racing employer: VENTURE ENGINEERING
At Ford Racing, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and collaborative work environment where innovation thrives. As a Race Engineer, you'll not only engage with cutting-edge technology and world-class talent but also enjoy competitive salaries, flexible working arrangements, and ample opportunities for professional growth. Join us in shaping the future of endurance racing while benefiting from a culture that values diversity and inclusivity.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Race Engineer - Ford Racing
✨Join Engineering Meetups!
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✨Engage with Online Communities
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We think you need these skills to ace Race Engineer - Ford Racing
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Technical Expertise:When applying for an engineering role like Race Engineer - Ford Racing, it’s essential to highlight your technical skills. Include any relevant software or tools you're proficient in on your CV—think CAD software, simulation tools, or programming languages. Don't skimp on any engineering projects you've worked on that demonstrate your ability to solve complex problems.
Focus on Results and Impact:In the engineering world, we love numbers and real-world impact. Quantify your achievements wherever possible—like reducing costs by a certain percentage, improving efficiency, or successfully completing a project ahead of schedule. This gives your future employers at VENTURE ENGINEERING a clear picture of the value you can bring.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to express your passion for engineering and explain why you’re drawn to VENTURE ENGINEERING specifically. Share what aspects of their work excite you and how your values align with theirs. This is your chance to show a bit of personality while keeping it professional!
Include Relevant Certifications:If you have any engineering certifications, especially ones that are recognised in your field, make sure to feature them prominently on your CV. They demonstrate not just your knowledge, but also your commitment to professional development, which is something we at StudySmarter value highly.
How to prepare for a job interview at VENTURE ENGINEERING
✨Brush Up on Core Engineering Principles
Before heading into the interview with VENTURE ENGINEERING, make sure you're solid on the fundamental engineering principles relevant to the role. Be ready to discuss concepts such as thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, or structural analysis, depending on the specifics mentioned in the job description. Don’t skip any hands-on projects or coursework; these can be excellent talking points!
✨Show Off Your Problem-Solving Skills
Expect technical questions or case studies during your interview—after all, engineering is all about solving problems! Prepare a few examples of how you've tackled engineering challenges in the past, whether at university or in any practical experience. Practising with mock technical interviews can really help you articulate your thought process and solutions.
✨Relate Your Experience to the Role
In a full-time role, employers like VENTURE ENGINEERING want to see that you can adapt and grow within their team. Be ready to discuss how your previous internships, projects, or studies relate directly to the work you'll be doing. Highlight specific experiences that showcase your collaborative skills and how you've successfully worked within a team environment.
✨Know Your Tools and Software
Most engineering roles require familiarity with specific tools and software. Prepare to talk about your proficiency with programmes like AutoCAD, MATLAB, or SolidWorks if they’re relevant to the role. Even better, have examples of projects where you’ve used these tools, as it'll demonstrate your hands-on experience and readiness for the job.
