Motorsports Tire Science R&D Engineer

Description

Hybrid: This role is categorized as hybrid. This means the successful candidate is expected to report to Concord, NC three (3) times per week, at minimum. Testing activities may require employees to work outside of standard business hours to support program needs.

The Role

Join GM Motorsports as a Motorsports Tire Science Research & Development Engineer , where you will be at the forefront of tire modeling innovation that drives championship‑level performance. In this highly technical and influential role, you will develop, refine, and integrate high‑fidelity tire models into both real‑time and offline simulation environments—directly impacting race strategy, vehicle dynamics, and competitive edge.

You will work with rich data streams from flat‑track testing, vehicle‑level evaluations, race events, and advanced instrumentation to unlock new insights into tire behavior. Your expertise will help shape simulation tools that empower our race engineers, inform on‑track decisions, and accelerate development across GM’s global Motorsports programs.

As a senior contributor, you will collaborate closely with GM‑affiliated race teams, participate in real‑world Motorsports testing, and lead the transfer of cutting‑edge tire knowledge into production‑vehicle applications. This is a fast‑moving, highly collaborative environment where innovation is expected and where your work directly influences the performance of world‑class race vehicles.

By joining GM Motorsports, you will have the opportunity to grow deep expertise in simulation and vehicle dynamics, support competitive racing programs, and help shape the technologies that will define the future of GM performance.

What You’ll Do

Develop and refine advanced methods to process, review, and qualify tire test data, ensuring consistency, accuracy, and readiness for simulation use.

Support Driver‑in‑the‑Loop (DiL) simulation sessions, offering technical guidance, interpreting driver feedback, and strengthening model fidelity.

Participate in tire testing activities, representing the simulation function and ensuring high‑quality data capture.

Fit tire test data including Flat‑Trac (Force & Moment) and vehicle‑level testing into high‑fidelity models with clear validation metrics.

Scale, synthesize, and adapt tire models using secondary datasets and engineering inputs for vehicle‑ or series‑specific performance requirements.

Develop enhancements to tire models, tools, and methods, driving next‑generation simulation capability.

Simulate and interpret Finite Element (FE) tire models while feeding multi‑fidelity modeling workflows.

Guide correlation activities that align lab data, track performance, and simulation outputs for supported race series.

Drive technology transfer to production engineering by translating Motorsports tire insights into GM development tools.

Support integration of tire models into real‑time simulation environments for DiL and hardware‑in‑the‑loop applications.

What You’ll Need (Required Qualifications)

Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, Computer‑Aided Engineering, Software Engineering, or a related technical field.

A minimum of 5+ years of progressive, post‑graduate engineering experience, or an advanced degree combined with substantial relevant industry experience demonstrating technical depth and independent decision‑making.

Advanced experience in vehicle dynamics and simulation, with proven ability to independently develop, validate, and apply complex models.

Deep knowledge of viscoelastic materials, including characterization, modeling, and simulation, and ability to translate behavior into performance insights.

Proficiency in MATLAB or Python for advanced modeling, data analysis, and tool development.

Hands‑on experience with Finite Element tools, with capability to interpret results and guide design decisions.

Strong cross‑functional collaborator with the ability to influence and work independently with minimal direction.

Ability to support international travel up to four times per year, with limited domestic travel as needed.

What Will Give You a Competitive Edge (Preferred Qualifications)

Master’s or PhD in Mathematics, Engineering, or a related technical field with focus on vehicle dynamics or simulation.

5+ years of Motorsports simulation experience with a track record of developing or refining complex models.

Experience with Motorsports data acquisition platforms and ability to translate insights into engineering direction.

Knowledge of tire model fitting routines using Flat‑Trac and Wheel Force Transducer (WFT) data.

Hands‑on experience with Pi Toolbox, Atlas, or MoTeC for data analysis and workflow optimization.

Demonstrated experience integrating tire models into real‑time simulation environments for DiL or offline development.

#LI-LP2

This role is categorized as hybrid. This means the selected candidate is expected to report to a specific location at least 3 times a week {or other frequency dictated by their manager}.

The selected candidate will be required to travel <25% for this role.

This job may be eligible for relocation benefits.

About GM

Our vision is a world with Zero Crashes, Zero Emissions and Zero Congestion and we embrace the responsibility to lead the change that will make our world better, safer and more equitable for all.

Why Join Us

We believe we all must make a choice every day – individually and collectively – to drive meaningful change through our words, our deeds and our culture. Every day, we want every employee to feel they belong to one General Motors team.

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