Tire-Vehicle Performance Engineer II

Tire-Vehicle Performance Engineer II

Our client, a premier motorsports organization in Santa Clarita, is seeking a Tire-Vehicle Performance Engineer II to support and enhance the performance of their state-of-the-art testing facilities. This is a high-impact role within an elite racing environment, contributing directly to advanced vehicle development programs.

The Tire-Vehicle Performance Engineer II will provide technical leadership in tire utilization and its influence on overall vehicle performance. This role will guide the client's Race Engineering team in understanding tire behavior, performance trade-offs, and optimization strategies. The engineer will lead the development, calibration, and validation of advanced tire models through simulation, real-world data analysis, and rig testing, collaborating closely with tire manufacturers, consultants, and software engineers. Additional responsibilities include developing and applying state-of-the-art tire pressure management tools and modeling methodologies to ensure strong correlation between simulation outputs and on-track performance. The role also involves planning and executing tire rig tests, vehicle tests, and Driver-In-Loop simulator activities, delivering clear analysis, reporting, and actionable insights to support holistic vehicle performance optimization.

Key responsibilities include:

• Develop and maintain tire and vehicle modeling tools to support performance development initiatives
• Create, validate, and program models for vehicle dynamics, aerodynamics, powertrain, and tire behavior for DIL and simulation platforms
• Collaborate with cross-functional engineering teams and external partners to ensure model accuracy and integration
• Support rig, wind tunnel, and track testing through test planning, data analysis, and technical reporting
• Develop and maintain software tools and control system models using modern software practices (e.g., C++, Dymola)
• Enable efficient analysis of chassis, tire, and overall vehicle performance data
• Communicate project status, findings, and recommendations through clear technical reports, presentations, and controlled documentation

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering (Master's preferred) with proven experience in vehicle dynamics simulation, data analysis, and controls development within a pinnacle-level professional motorsports environment
• Demonstrated expertise in racing vehicle data analysis, simulation software validation, tire and chassis systems, and limit-handling vehicle dynamics
• Proficient in MATLAB, Python, statistical analysis, machine learning techniques for non-linear regression, and systematic design of experiments
• Experienced in test planning and execution using tire rigs and Driver-In-Loop simulators, with strong practical knowledge of race car setup methodologies
• Self-directed, detail-oriented professional with excellent communication, leadership, project management, and problem-solving skills
• Proven ability to perform effectively under pressure in fast-paced, competitive, and culturally diverse racing environments