F1 Gearbox Test Engineer: Dyno & Data-Driven Validation

Gm Performance Power Units; Bath; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus scheme

Private healthcare

401(k) plan including company match

Employer-paid life insurance and six?

Disability coverage

Job summary

GM Performance Power Units is seeking a Gearbox Test Engineer to lead development, validation, and reliability testing of F1 transmission systems in a factory setting. You will run dyno tests, develop rigs, and analyze data to drive performance improvements while collaborating with design and performance teams.

Role emphasizes test programs, instrumentation, and automation with minimal trackside duties; factory-based, with opportunities to influence core gearbox concepts and lubrication

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, a related discipline or equivalent experience.
• 3+ years in mechanical testing with motorsport, automotive, or aerospace experience preferred.
• Strong understanding of gear systems, tribology, lubrication, fatigue, wear, material behavior, and thermal/mechanical loading.
• Experience with test rigs and instrumentation including torque, speed, strain, and temperature measurements.
• Proficiency in data analysis tools (MATLAB, Python) and DAQ systems; familiarity with simulation correlation (FEA, multibody).
• Excellent analytical thinking, problem-solving, and cross-functional communication.

Responsibilities

• Plan, develop, and execute rigorous test programs for gearbox systems, including full transmission dyno testing, sub-system and component-level validation, and endurance and accelerated life testing.
• Define test procedures, instrumentation requirements, and acceptance criteria.
• Operate and support advanced test rigs simulating real-world race duty cycles.
• Analyze high-resolution test data to assess gear durability, fatigue life, friction losses, efficiency, thermal performance, and oil system behavior.
• Correlate test data with simulation models and historical track data.
• Produce clear engineering reports with recommendations for design and performance improvements.
• Lead root cause analysis of gearbox and component failures.
• Work with materials, design, and manufacturing teams to implement corrective actions.
• Maintain failure databases and support reliability growth programs.
• Support the specification, development, and commissioning of new test rigs and instrumentation systems.
• Improve existing test capabilities, automation, and data acquisition processes.
• Ensure test systems replicate real-world operating conditions as accurately as possible.
• Work closely with design engineering teams to validate new gearbox concepts and updates.
• Provide feedback on gear design, materials, coatings, and lubrication strategies.
• Support validation of simulation tools and models used for gearbox performance prediction.

Skills

Gear systems

Tribology

Lubrication

Fatigue

Wear mechanisms

Material behavior

Thermal loading

Mechanical loading

DAQ systems

Data analysis tools

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or Automotive Engineering, or related discipline

Tools

MATLAB

Python

Job description

GM Performance Power Units is seeking a Gearbox Test Engineer to lead development, validation, and reliability testing of F1 transmission systems in a factory setting. You will run dyno tests, develop rigs, and analyze data to drive performance improvements while collaborating with design and performance teams.

Role emphasizes test programs, instrumentation, and automation with minimal trackside duties; factory-based, with opportunities to influence core gearbox concepts and lubrication