Principal Design Engineer - Driver Controls
Principal Design Engineer - Driver Controls

Principal Design Engineer - Driver Controls

Grove Full-Time 60000 - 84000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead a team designing driver controls for F1 cars, focusing on performance and innovation.
  • Company: Join Williams Racing, a legendary F1 team with 16 World Championship titles and a rich heritage.
  • Benefits: Enjoy a dynamic work environment with opportunities for growth and collaboration in motorsport engineering.
  • Why this job: Be part of a historic team aiming to return to the front of the grid while pushing engineering boundaries.
  • Qualifications: Must have a relevant degree and design experience in top-level motorsport; CAD skills are essential.
  • Other info: Williams Racing promotes diversity and is open to discussing job adjustments.

The predicted salary is between 60000 - 84000 £ per year.

  • Full-time

Company Description

For almost 50 years, Williams Racing has been at the forefront of one of the fastest sports on the planet, being one of the top three most successful teams in history competing in the FIA Formula 1 World Championship. With an almost unrivalled heritage of engineering and racing F1 cars and unforgettable eras that demonstrate it is a force to be reckoned with, the British squad boasts 16 F1 World Championship titles to its name.

Since its foundation in 1977 by the eminent, late Sir Frank Williams and engineering pioneer Sir Patrick Head, the team has won nine Constructors’ Championships, in association with Cosworth, Honda and Renault. Its roll call of drivers is legendary, with its seven Drivers’ Championship trophies being lifted by true icons of the sport: Alan Jones, Keke Rosberg, Nelson Piquet, Nigel Mansell, Alain Prost, Damon Hill and Jacques Villeneuve. The team has made history before and is out to make it again with a long-term mission to evolve and return to the front of the grid.

Job Description

We are looking to recruit a Principal Design Engineer – Driver Controls to lead a subgroup of Designers and Senior Designers within our Suspension, Steering and Brakes department covering a wide variety of assemblies including steering system, braking system and all driver interfaces.

The successful candidate will have an in-depth understanding of fundamental engineering principles, hydraulic principles and design experience within a motorsport environment.

As a Principal Design Engineer – Driver Controls , you will:

  1. Lead the Driver Controls subgroup within the Design Department with an emphasis on assembly ownership, promoting autonomous and creative design to deliver maximum performance to the car.
  2. Work closely with the rest of Engineering to optimise system, driver and car performance.
  3. Conduct design reviews within the team and on a larger scale across Vehicle Design.
  4. Check and approve design specifications and check drawings for production.
  5. Manage related processes such as faults, track testing requests, accident damage assessment etc.
  6. Promote best design practice and drive continuous improvement.
  7. Attend regular meetings for planning, resourcing and fault liaison.

Our ideal candidate is someone who has:

  1. A relevant degree or equivalent qualification supported by design experience in a top-level motorsport field.
  2. Effective and efficient people management skills ideally alongside a strong knowledge of contemporary F1 technology and design.
  3. Experience with simulation and stress calculations/ FEA.
  4. Strong CAD skills, ideally with experience of NX; however, training will be provided for conversion from other CAD systems.
  5. Ability to engage, inspire and support individuals to build and maintain a high-performance team culture.
  6. An approachable attitude with balanced judgement and a high level of personal integrity.

Additional Information

Atlassian Williams Racing is an equal opportunity employer that values diversity and inclusion. We are happy to discuss reasonable job adjustments.

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Principal Design Engineer - Driver Controls employer: Williams F1 Group

At Williams Racing, we pride ourselves on being a leading employer in the high-octane world of Formula 1, offering our Principal Design Engineer - Driver Controls an unparalleled opportunity to work at the cutting edge of motorsport engineering. Our collaborative and innovative work culture fosters creativity and autonomy, empowering you to drive performance while benefiting from continuous professional development and a commitment to diversity and inclusion. Join us in our mission to return to the front of the grid, where your contributions will be valued and recognized in a team that has a rich heritage and a bright future.
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Contact Detail:

Williams F1 Group Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Principal Design Engineer - Driver Controls

✨Tip Number 1

Familiarize yourself with the latest advancements in F1 technology and design. This knowledge will not only help you during interviews but also demonstrate your passion for the sport and its engineering challenges.

✨Tip Number 2

Network with professionals in the motorsport industry, especially those who have experience in driver controls or related fields. Attend motorsport events or join relevant online forums to connect with potential colleagues and learn about the latest trends.

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare to discuss specific projects where you've led design initiatives or improved performance through innovative solutions. Highlight your leadership skills and ability to inspire a team, as these are crucial for the Principal Design Engineer role.

✨Tip Number 4

Showcase your CAD skills, particularly with NX, by creating a portfolio of your previous work. Even if you're transitioning from another CAD system, demonstrating your design capabilities will set you apart from other candidates.

We think you need these skills to ace Principal Design Engineer - Driver Controls

Fundamental Engineering Principles
Hydraulic Principles
Motorsport Design Experience
Assembly Ownership
Creative Design
System Optimization
Design Reviews
Design Specifications Approval
Fault Management
Track Testing Requests
Accident Damage Assessment
Best Design Practices
Continuous Improvement
People Management Skills
Contemporary F1 Technology Knowledge
Simulation and Stress Calculations
Finite Element Analysis (FEA)
Strong CAD Skills
NX CAD Experience
Team Culture Building
Approachable Attitude
Balanced Judgement
High Level of Personal Integrity

Some tips for your application 🫡

Understand the Role: Make sure you thoroughly understand the responsibilities and requirements of the Principal Design Engineer - Driver Controls position. Tailor your application to highlight your relevant experience in motorsport engineering, particularly in driver controls and design.

Highlight Relevant Experience: In your CV and cover letter, emphasize your design experience in a top-level motorsport environment. Include specific examples of projects you've led or contributed to, especially those involving steering systems, braking systems, or driver interfaces.

Showcase Technical Skills: Detail your technical skills, particularly in CAD software like NX, simulation, and stress calculations/FEA. If you have experience with other CAD systems, mention your willingness to learn and adapt.

Demonstrate Leadership Abilities: Since the role involves leading a subgroup, illustrate your people management skills and ability to inspire a high-performance team culture. Provide examples of how you've successfully managed teams or projects in the past.

How to prepare for a job interview at Williams F1 Group

✨Showcase Your Engineering Knowledge

Be prepared to discuss your understanding of fundamental engineering principles, especially in relation to hydraulic systems and design within a motorsport context. Highlight specific projects or experiences that demonstrate your expertise.

✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills

As a Principal Design Engineer, you'll be leading a team. Share examples of how you've successfully managed teams in the past, focusing on how you promote creativity and autonomy in design processes.

✨Familiarize Yourself with F1 Technology

Research contemporary F1 technologies and be ready to discuss how they impact driver controls and overall vehicle performance. Showing that you are up-to-date with industry trends will impress the interviewers.

✨Prepare for Technical Questions

Expect technical questions related to CAD software, simulation, and stress calculations. Brush up on your knowledge of NX or other CAD systems, and be ready to explain your design process and decision-making rationale.

Principal Design Engineer - Driver Controls
Williams F1 Group
W
  • Principal Design Engineer - Driver Controls

    Grove
    Full-Time
    60000 - 84000 £ / year (est.)

    Application deadline: 2027-03-05

  • W

    Williams F1 Group

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