IndyCar Trackside Engineer

Ilmor Engineering provides design, development, testing, and manufacturing of performance engines and parts for major manufacturers and racing teams throughout the world. Our clients include automotive, marine, IndyCar, ARCA, NASCAR Truck Series, and SRX, among others. All of our high-performance engines and components are precision engineered to the highest standards—utilizing the latest manufacturing technologies and quality systems.

At Ilmor, we offer engineering and support services from clean sheet to completed project. Our team utilizes their expertise and ingenuity to create innovative original concepts or provide creative solutions to existing high-performance designs.

As a Trackside Support Engineer, you will develop a complete understanding of all aspects of the race engine used within that program including preparation, building, testing and maintenance. Constant and highly professional interaction between the various departments and Race Teams is a vital part of the position. 

Essential Duties

• Significant Travel This position requires a minimum of 120 days of domestic overnight travel per year, including nearly every weekend between April and August. 
• At the track – Be responsible for the correct procedure when starting an engine, the running of the engine on track, fault finding and diagnosis. Supervise the removal of a damaged or end-of-life engine liaising with the race team.
  1. Maintain ECU data, team data, calibrations and reports on the servers
  2. Support the specified race engines at the race track
  3. Produce engine calibrations for races and tests
  4. Produce race/test and engineering reports as required
  5. Troubleshoot, diagnose and repair engines and engine parts.
  6. Determine engine fitness through bore scoping or other inspection measures.
  7. Manage trackside spare parts inventory, tools and equipment including the sale and distribution of spare parts to the race teams.
  8. Customer and supplier liaison on mechanical issues.
  9. Trackside Engineering Support for up to two cars as needed.
• Trackside Preparation – Preparation is required prior to the engines running on the circuit and must be done ahead of each event.
  1. Participation in trackside planning and engineering meetings
  2. Liaison with Engineering Leader for Engineering Program requirements.
  3. Manage transportation of spare parts inventory, tools and equipment to race events, especially international events.
  4. Liaison with Stores Manager for inventory requirements.
• Dynamometer Testing – Develop a complete understanding of the initial testing, durability, calibration, care and handling of the engine. Generate the knowledge needed to troubleshoot in the dynamometer area and understand how the same techniques can be applied to the race track.
• Engine build and disassembly area – Understand all components of the race engine, their function and the care and attention required during assembling and dissembling of the engine
• Away from the track – Between track events, you may be assigned engineering projects as needed by Ilmor. Projects include but are not limited to calibration development, software development, drafting, design, dynamometer and tools development and are generally in an area of expertise for the individual trackside engineer. Projects may be related, but are not limited to the assigned race engine program.
• Additional tasks as assigned

Knowledge

• English Language — Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Engineering and Technology — Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
• Production and Processing — Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering is required
• Highly proficient in the Microsoft Office Suite
• Excellent communication skills
• Experience on a collegiate FSAE or a professional or amateur race team is highly desired

Demonstrated Physical Abilities/Work Environment

Move/traverse throughout race tracks; operate a computer and other productivity machinery; inspect documents; communicate with others through talking/hearing; read/identify/assess forms and correspondence.