ENGINEERING - TRACKSIDE -

ENGINEERING - TRACKSIDE

Trackside Motorsport Engineers are responsible for optimising the performance, reliability, and safety of a racing car during live events. They work closely with drivers and mechanics to ensure the car’s setup meets the specific demands of the track, weather conditions, and competition strategy. To become a trackside motorsport engineer the individual must have a good mixture of soft skills and hard skills to cope with the pressures of the role and to work efficiently as part of a team. Its Important to note

WHERE & WHAT TO STUDY

Qualification wise you will need at least a 2:1 or above at degree or masters level in either motorsport, mechanical, electrical or aeronautical engineering. Trackside motorsport engineers have specialised knowledge in areas such as aerodynamics, engine performance, vehicle dynamics or control systems and there are additional courses out the that can help you learn these essential skills. We are happy to offer recommendations on where to study but for a full list of colleges and universities offering a motorsport course please refer to the UKAS website.

ONLINE & ALTERNATIVE TRAINING

In addition to the standard University route there are alternative courses out there that do offer an alternative soloution.

JOB DESCRIPTIONS

DATA ENGINEER

All programming of ECU / data logger including data download.
Responsibility for the calibration of all car electronics equipment sensors.
Car health monitoring and fault diagnosis during running.
Post running inspection of all sensor data, reporting of condition and damage to the Race Engineer.
Working with the Engineering Team to continually improve the data analysis system and tools.
Development of systems engineering tools and hardware to improve performance, automation and reliability.
Maintenance, management and planning of the car electronics hardware and sensors and spares
Prepare and test spares stock of electrical hardware and consumables.
Assist in the set up and operation of the garage and its infrastructure.
Maintenance of pitwall / garage data systems.
Setup and maintenance of team / car radio and intercom systems.
Planning the efficient use of the teams IT / systems equipment at future events and quickly identifying problems or shortfalls.

CUSTOMER SUPPORT ENGINEER

Engage with customers via phone, email, and in-person to provide technical support, troubleshoot issues, and offer solutions.
Develop a deep understanding of our motorsport products, including performance components, telemetry systems, and software solutions.
Diagnose and resolve technical issues promptly, ensuring minimal downtime for customers during critical race events.
Create user guides, technical documentation, and training materials to educate customers on product usage and best practices.
Gather customer feedback and insights to drive product improvements and enhancements.
Work closely with our engineering and sales teams to relay customer feedback, escalate issues, and contribute to product development initiatives.
Provide on-site support at race events, assisting teams with setup, troubleshooting, and optimising performance.

SYSTEMS ENGINEER

Designing and integrating electrical and electronic systems such as ECUs, data loggers, sensors, and communication networks.
Ensuring compatibility and reliability of these systems within the car’s overall architecture.
Setting up and managing telemetry systems to collect real-time performance data.
Analysing data to identify performance trends, diagnose issues, and suggest improvements.
Developing, testing, and calibrating software for control systems (e.g., traction control, braking, and hybrid power systems).
Programming parameters to optimise performance under varying track and weather conditions.
Troubleshooting and resolving issues in the vehicle’s electronic systems during testing, qualifying, and races.
Conducting pre-event checks and post-event reviews of all electronic systems
Ensuring that all systems comply with motorsport regulations and safety standards.
Implementing fail-safes and redundancies to mitigate risks of system failures during races

CONTROLS ENGINEER

Develop and implement control algorithms for key vehicle systems (e.g., powertrain, braking, traction & suspension).
Write, test, and debug embedded software for Electronic Control Units (ECUs).
Ensure seamless integration of software with hardware components, including sensors, actuators, and ECUs.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams (mechanical, electrical, and aerodynamics) to align software performance with overall vehicle objectives.
Use simulation tools (e.g., MATLAB/Simulink) to model and validate control strategies before on-track deployment.
Conduct Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) and Software-in-the-Loop (SIL) testing to verify software performance under realistic scenarios.
Work with telemetry and data logging systems to collect and analyse real-time performance data from vehicles during testing and races.
Use data insights to identify performance improvements and refine control strategies.
Investigate and resolve software-related issues, including those encountered during development, testing, and racing.

PERFORMANCE/SIMULATION ENGINEER

Evaluating car performance using simulation models and real-world data.
Identifying areas for improvement in aerodynamics, suspension, powertrain, and overall vehicle dynamics.
Building and refining simulation models for key vehicle systems, including aerodynamics, tire behaviour, and engine performance.
Running simulations to predict outcomes under different track layouts, weather conditions, and race strategies.
Conducting virtual track tests to reduce reliance on physical testing, saving time and resources.
Using driver-in-the-loop (DIL) simulators to gather feedback from drivers and fine-tune setups.
Working with race strategists to model pit stop strategies, tire usage, and fuel consumption.
Simulating various race scenarios to determine optimal approaches.
Incorporating telemetry and historical performance data into simulations to enhance model accuracy.
Ensuring seamless integration of simulation tools with other team workflows.

RACE ENGINEER

Collaborating with engineers and mechanics to determine the optimal car setup for each track, including suspension, aerodynamics, tire pressures, and drivetrain configurations.
Adjusting the car’s setup based on driver feedback, telemetry data, and track conditions.
Acting as the primary technical liaison for the driver during practice, qualifying, and races.
Providing clear and concise guidance to the driver about car behaviour, race strategy, and adjustments during the event.
Analysing real-time telemetry data to monitor car performance and identify areas for improvement.
Making informed, immediate decisions to resolve issues and optimize car performance during the race.
Working with race strategists to plan pit stops, tire choices, and fuel strategies.
Adapting strategies dynamically based on unfolding race conditions, such as weather changes or competitor performance.
Conducting detailed debriefings with the driver and team to review performance and gather insights for improvement.

STRATIGY ENGINEER

Analysing historical performance data, track characteristics, tire wear, fuel consumption, and weather forecasts to create a race plan.
Determining the optimal number and timing of pit stops, including tire choices and refuelling (if applicable).
Continuously tracking race developments using telemetry, timing data, and competitor information.
Providing timely, concise instructions to the driver to execute strategy changes.
Working closely with race engineers, performance engineers, and team management to align on strategic decisions.
Identifying lessons learned to refine future strategies and improve decision-making processes.