Aerodynamics Designer

Purpose of the Role:  

To design race car aerodynamic surfaces, wind tunnel model parts and assemblies with the aim of delivering high quality and legal surfaces, model parts and assemblies to CFD, Wind Tunnel and final release to the race car. 

Role Dimensions:  

  • Part of the Aero Design Team, which is responsible for the design of all Aero surfaces and components. 

  • Reports to the Team Leader – Aero Design, will involve close cooperation with the rest of the Aero Design team, the Vehicle Engineering team, modelshop, production team, and Aerodynamicists. 

  • Role can be specialised in model design, surface design or flexible and skilled in both. 

  • This role is factory based but may involve occasional travel to our wind tunnel facility. This role is predominantly carried out during standard working hours, but will sometimes include additional hours and weekends. 

Key Relationships: 

Team Leader – Aero Design, Lead Designer for the area of the car, Principal Aerodynamicist and Project Leaders for the area of the car, other Aero designers, Modelmakers and Aerodynamicists. 

Principal Accountabilities:  

  • Preparation of robust, high quality and legal surface models for CFD, wind tunnel and race car, design of high quality parts and assemblies to tight deadlines, satisfying the aerodynamicist’s spec, and according to the department’s methodologies and best practises.  

  • Providing all necessary drawings and information to allow manufacture, preparation, prefit and set up of the parts and assemblies. 

  • Providing knowledge and guidance for surfacing and model design work in an area of the car: 

  • Responsible for developing and maintaining the quality of models and methodology used in this area (taking guidance on department-wide methodologies and best practise from the Team Leader and Lead Designers). 

  • Documenting guidelines, methodologies and best practise for this area, and presenting them to other team members. 

  • Expert knowledge of legality, packaging considerations and CFD requirements, manufacturing techniques, structural concerns, build considerations, prefit and jig requirements, drawing and other set up information requirements in this area. 

  • Maintaining a close relationship with – and understanding of the requirements of – the Aerodynamicists, CFD engineers, model designers, Veh. Eng. Designers and modelmakers who work in this area; acting as point of contact for queries. 

Knowledge, Skills and Experience:  

Essential 

  • CAD solid and surface design experience. 

  • Proficient with MS Office. 

Desirable 

  • Motorsport aerodynamics surface design and aerodynamics model design experience. 

  • Proficient in the use of CATIA V5 

  • Degree in Mechanical / Automotive / Aeronautical engineering discipline. 

  • Experience using the 3DCOM product management database. 

  • Familiarity with the latest Formula One technical regulations. 

  • Understanding of a typical F1 WT model layout, and the systems on the model. 

  • Understanding of Formula One race car mechanical systems and layout. 

  • Understanding of typical design methodologies, manufacturing techniques and the prefit and set-up process used for F1 WT models. 

Personal Attributes:  

  • Team player with strong interpersonal, communication and leadership skills. 

  • Well organized - able to manage their own time effectively and to balance multiple demands, often with limited information and ever-changing priorities. 

  • Desire to improve how things are done; pro-activity and initiative to make this happen. 

  • Highly self-motivated and able to work autonomously under pressure and to tight deadlines. 

  • Thorough worker with good attention to detail. 

  • Results focused and driven to achieve successful outcome.