Ford Racing Motorsports LMDh Vehicle Dynamics Simulation Engineer
Racing is where our story began.
In 1901, Henry Ford climbed into a car he built himself—"Sweepstakes"—and lined up against the most famous driver in America. He wasn't a racer. But he had to win. If he lost that day, Ford Motor Company might not exist. He won.
Today, that same relentless spirit lives on in Ford Racing. We are the engineers, strategists, and competitors who carry Ford's fighting spirit from the track straight into every vehicle we produce. Every track, every rally stage, every drag strip, every proving ground—every ground is our proving ground.
The result? One of the oldest, most recognized brands in the world. Some of the most successful production vehicles in the world. Some of the most iconic nameplates in the world. A rich racing heritage. And the best, most capable team of employees anywhere in the industry.
Racing played a key part in this journey—and it's a big part of our future. Motorsports excellence builds brand, and brand builds legacy.
Our guiding mantra is simple yet relentless: Race to win, engineer to lead. If you are a competitor, an innovator, or a performance obsessive who thrives under the pressure of the checkered flag, Ford Racing is where you belong. Join us, and help write the next chapter of a story that started with one win—and never stopped.
In this position...
The Ford Racing Vehicle Dynamics team supports race teams through vehicle dynamics and chassis engineering expertise, test car and race car data analysis, and race car setup consultation and simulations. We help the cars perform on the track to win. Ford Racing is seeking a talented, committed engineer to be a part of their motorsports vehicle dynamics and chassis engineering team and develop World-Class, race-winning vehicle dynamics simulations, design chassis architectures and systems, and support test and track-side engineering for vehicles such as the Mustang GT3, Mustang GT4, LMDh, Mustang Darkhorse R, W2RC Rally Raid (Dakar), Bronco 4600 (King of Hammers), NextGen NASCAR Cup, NOAPS, Craftsman Truck, other future high-performance demonstrators, and Hybridization/Electrification. This role specifically targets the LMDh program.
Projects in our department have included race-specific design/builds of customer race vehicles (eg. Bronco 4600, Darkhorse R), demonstration vehicles (eg. electrified vehicles), simulation CAE tool development, performance engineering tools, and tire modeling.
You will use simulation tools and methods along with your in-depth vehicle dynamics knowledge to meet our primary goals of Winning Races, Winning Championships, and Transferring Technology to and from production vehicle programs and the greater Company.
Throughout this process you will perform and advocate a high level of quality and adhere to the Ford OS Behaviors – Excellence, Focus, and Collaboration.
This role is based at the Ford Racing Allen Park, MI or Ford Racing Technical Center in Concord, NC and will require at least 4 days per week on-site. Candidates should be capable of working hours which may include late evenings, nights, weekends and travel to meet Company goals.
What you'll do...
- Develop simulation and DiL simulator models to maximize vehicle dynamics performance.
- Develop LMDh race cars by using simulation engineering tools.
- Integrate simulation/simulator vehicle models, tire models, aerodynamics models, powertrain models.
- Use simulator tools to meet customer and race team needs.
- Run simulator sessions for race team drivers to develop and test race setups, acclimate drivers, and provide race engineers and crew chiefs simulated performance data.
- Be the conduit between Ford engineering and programs, race team engineers, and race drivers to maximize Ford’s on-track race performance.
- Leverage and interpret the data generated by race teams, Ford test vehicles, event databases, and simulations to maximize performance.
- Exercise vehicle dynamics knowledge and data to propose designs and setups for DOEs and simulations, leading to the optimum configurations.
- Contribute to the improvement of simulator and simulation tools.
- Partner with race teams to prepare for simulator sessions.
- Partner with race teams to analyze the performance of cars and drivers at races and tests to improve race outcomes.
You’ll have….
- Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering or related engineering degree or related field of study.
- 2+ years of experience in automotive suspension design, vehicle dynamics, or vehicle dynamics simulations.
Even better, you may have….
- Master of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering or related engineering degree.
- 3+ Years of experience in motorsports vehicle dynamics including simulation, track testing, and interdisciplinary work with other engineering departments.
- 1+ years of experience with simulations.
- Formula SAE experience in Suspension and/or Vehicle Dynamics.
- Experience on Formula 1 or LMDh programs.
- High level of motivation and commitment.
- Demonstrated history of Ford Operating System Behaviors.
- Excellent knowledge of suspension/chassis and vehicle dynamics.
- Strong problem solving and analytical skills.
- Excellent communication and relationship skills, putting the customer and race teams first.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with evolving products and needs.
- Strong work ethic and ability to adapt to requested schedules.
- Passion to Win.
As an established global company, we offer the benefit of choice. You can choose what your Ford future will look like: will your story span the globe, or keep you close to home? Will your career be a deep dive into what you love, or a series of new teams and new skills? Will you be a leader, a changemaker, a technical expert, a culture builder…or all of the above? No matter what you choose, we offer a work life that works for you, including:
- Immediate medical, dental, vision and prescription drug coverage.
- Flexible family care days, paid parental leave, new parent ramp-up programs, subsidized back-up child care and more.
- Family building benefits including adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, fertility treatments, and more.
- Vehicle discount program for employees and family members and management leases.
- Tuition assistance.
- Established and active employee resource groups.
- Paid time off for individual and team community service.
- A generous schedule of paid holidays, including the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day.
- Paid time off and the option to purchase additional vacation time.
This position is a salary grade 5 - 8 and ranges from $65,100 - $166,200.
Final determination of salary grade will be based on candidate's skills and experience, and base salary will be set within the applicable range according to job scope, responsibility and competitive market value.
For more information on salary and benefits, click here.
Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
Candidates for positions with Ford Motor Company must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire.
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, age, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status or protected veteran status. In the United States, if you need a reasonable accommodation for the online application process due to a disability, please call 1-888-336-0660.
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