Design Engineer

Design Engineer

Spire Motorsports is looking for a Design Engineer to join our competition team and help turn engineering concepts into race-ready solutions.

In this role, you'll design and develop components and assemblies that directly support the performance, reliability, and continued development of our race vehicles. You'll work in a fast-paced, highly collaborative motorsports environment where precision matters, timelines are short, and your work has a direct connection to what happens on the track.

We're looking for someone with strong mechanical design and CAD skills, sound engineering judgment, and the ability to take a project from concept through design and implementation. Motorsports experience is valuable, but just as important is the ability to solve problems, work collaboratively, and produce high-quality designs in a performance-driven environment.

If you're an engineer who enjoys seeing your designs move from the screen to the shop floor and ultimately to the racetrack, we'd like to hear from you.

Job Summary

The Design Engineer is responsible for developing and refining designs for projects across all race teams. This role involves designing new products or components from concept through manufacturing, as well as modifying and fine-tuning existing products to improve efficiency, usability, and performance. The Design Engineer will work throughout the entire project lifecycle, including planning, conceptualization, testing, prototyping, and production, collaborating closely with cross-functional teams to ensure designs meet project goals and team requirements.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Meet with race teams and internal stakeholders to determine mechanical requirements and applications.
• Plan, execute, and optimize mechanical designs using CAD, CAM, and 3D modeling software (AutoCAD, SolidWorks, others as needed).
• Perform computer simulations and virtual testing to refine and validate designs.
• Oversee the development and manufacturing of physical prototypes for testing and evaluation.
• Document design processes, iterations, test results, and analytical data.
• Manage project timelines, budgets, and resources to ensure milestones and deliverables are achieved.
• Liaise with internal and external customers, engineers, designers, and manufacturers to ensure design coherence and manufacturability.
• Prepare technical reports, design specifications, and operational manuals.
• Research new product opportunities and create prototypes with attention to performance, cost-effectiveness, and user experience.
• Draft blueprints, develop test prototypes, and supervise the manufacturing process.
• Turn conceptual ideas into functional products using efficient and practical processes.
• Prepare design briefs and evaluate potential production methods, using engineering software to refine designs.
• Stay current with technological advancements, design trends, and best practices in engineering.
• Contribute to a collaborative team environment, developing products in coordination with cross-functional teams.
• Manage the development of drawing packages to communicate system requirements to production teams.
• Ensure designs meet project goals, quality standards, and regulatory requirements.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support project and team objectives.

Required Skills and Abilities

• Proficiency in engineering design software, including AutoCAD, SolidWorks, and others as needed.
• Strong knowledge of mechanical design principles, engineering practices, and industry standards.
• Experience with sheet metal, weldments, and machined components is a plus.
• Experience with FEA (Ansys) is desirable.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Exceptional time management, organization, and project prioritization skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Attention to detail and a critical thinking mindset.
• Experience designing and analyzing automotive components and systems.
• Knowledge of machining practices, fabrication shop procedures, and production workflows.
• Highly motivated, organized, and able to work under pressure.
• Ability to collaborate effectively across all levels of the organization.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience as a mechanical design engineer.
• Minimum of 3 years working in automotive, motorsports, or defense vehicle-related fields.
• Minimum of 3 years as a high-level CAD user.
• PE certification is advantageous.
• FEA (Ansys) experience is a plus.

Physical Requirements

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Ability to lift up to 20 pounds occasionally.
• Must be able to access file cabinets, office machinery, and shop areas.
• Regularly access low and high spaces, sometimes at irregular angles, such as under or around vehicles.

Spire and all affiliated companies are Equal Opportunity employer(s). Minorities, women, veterans, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.