Purpose of the Role:
To add aerodynamic performance to the race car by analysis of CFD, wind tunnel and track data and refine / optimise the car design.
Role Dimensions:
- Sits within an Aerodynamics development group, reporting to the Principal Aerodynamicist and guided by an Aerodynamics Project Leader.
- Flexibility in working hours is required (some evenings and weekends).
- Some travel to the Wind Tunnel as per agreed rotation
Key Relationships:
- Principal Aerodynamicist, Project Leaders and other Aerodynamicists in their group.
- Designers and modelmakers involved in the projects.
- Aerodynamicists from the Aerodynamic Performance group
Principal Accountabilities:
- Develop aerodynamic solutions for the racing car that deliver performance, under the direction of the Aerodynamics Project Leader.
- Ensure that ideas and designs legal and to the standards of surface quality and aerodynamic refinement of the department, and coherent with the overall objectives of the team.
- Effective management of their own projects through the design, CFD, part preparation and wind tunnel test process, according to agreed deadlines and the requirements of the programme.
- Create CAD geometry
- Submit CFD cases, deliver CFD analysis and input for their area of the car to deadlines.
- Liaison with the Design team (Surfacers and Model Designers) to ensure the quality of surfaces and model parts.
- Prepare the wind tunnel test, ensuring that the projects are managed effectively in line with the wind tunnel planning.
- Liaison with the model shop to ensure the quality of experiment in the wind tunnel.
- Oversee the project during the wind tunnel test.
- Analysis, reporting and follow-up.
- Conduct wind tunnel tests on a shift rota basis, reporting back as required.
- Build an understanding of the track environment and use data and driver feedback to assess performance of aerodynamic components.
- Summarise results and discuss with others the subsequent development directions; contribute to discussions about other areas.
- Manage projects effectively in line with the WSR schedule, wind tunnel planning and FIA resource allocation. Ensure that trade-offs between time spent in CFD and wind tunnel testing are appropriate for the project being designed. Prioritise jobs accordingly and ensure that the resources made available for projects are used effectively.
- Communicate effectively with everyone involved in the project, keeping them involved and aware of targets, priorities and plans for the areas they are working on.
- Liaison with the Design team (Surfacers and Model Designers), Modelshop and Technology team to ensure the quality of designs, the wind tunnel model and the experiment, and improve operational efficiency (test lists, change times etc.) for their area.
- Monitor and maximise the quality of CFD solutions and work with the CFD R&D team, with an overall aim to improve correlation and efficiency for their area.
- Attend team wind tunnel reviews, make significant contribution to the ideas and design philosophy discussions about where to find the aero performance.
- Responsible for developing the less experienced members of the team and making significant contribution to raising the level of aerodynamic understanding within the team.
- Support the Principal Aerodynamicists in maintaining a high level of motivation and achievement within the project team.
- Promote collaborative work when discussing results or defining development direction
Knowledge, Skills and Experience:
- Excellent knowledge of flow structure characteristics and flow breakdown mechanisms.
- Good data driven analysis skills
- Good CAD design skills
- Experience of planning and organising aero projects to pre-agreed targets, working collaboratively with other team members.
- Experience in F1 Aerodynamics with particularly sound knowledge of the F1 wind tunnel testing environment and use of CFD.
- Sound awareness of overall car development programs.
- A degree in a relevant subject area
Personal Attributes:
- A team player but with the initiative to make own decisions and work with minimal supervision.
- Self-starter, able to identify requirements independently, then make proposals for solutions.
- Able to work under pressure, to tight deadlines, often with ever-changing priorities.
- The ability to plan and organise a project to deliver and execute to target specifications, often to a tight deadline.
- Ability to communicate effectively with colleagues both senior and junior, and the ability to influence as appropriate.
- Excellent problem-solving skills and analytical approach, with attention to detail.
- The ability to follow aerodynamic development directions.
- Open mindedness to ensure high flexibility and the capacity to manage rapid and profound changes of scopes, development directions and processes.
- Aptitude to learn from others and share knowledge with others.
- Flexible approach to working hours and willing to travel abroad.