Gearbox Test Engineer: Dyno & Rig Validation

Gm Performance Power Units; Peterborough; 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 short

disability coverage

Job summary

GM Performance Power Units is seeking a Gearbox Test Engineer to lead development, validation, and reliability testing of Formula 1 transmission systems in a factory setting. You will drive dyno testing, rig development, and data-driven engineering to ensure durability under extreme conditions, collaborating with design and performance groups.

The role emphasizes test programs, failure analysis, and continuous performance improvements, with a startup-like environment backed by engineering

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical or Automotive Engineering or equivalent.
• 3+ years of mechanical testing with motorsport, automotive or aerospace exposure preferred.
• Strong understanding of gear systems, tribology, lubrication, fatigue and wear mechanisms.
• Experience with test rigs and instrumentation including torque, speed, strain, and temperature measurements.

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 for gear durability, fatigue life, friction losses, efficiency, and thermal behavior.
• Correlate test data with simulation models and historical track data.
• Produce engineering reports with recommendations for design and performance improvements.
• Lead root cause analysis of gearbox and component failures and drive 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 with design teams to validate gearbox concepts and updates and provide feedback on gear design, materials, coatings, and lubrication strategies.
• Support validation of simulation tools and models used for gearbox performance prediction.

Skills

Mechanical testing

Data analysis

Troubleshooting

Cross-functional collaboration

Problem solving

Project discipline

Communication

Multi-tasking

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical/Automotive Engineering

Tools

MATLAB

Python

DAQ systems

FEA/Simulation tools

Job description

GM Performance Power Units is seeking a Gearbox Test Engineer to lead development, validation, and reliability testing of Formula 1 transmission systems in a factory setting. You will drive dyno testing, rig development, and data-driven engineering to ensure durability under extreme conditions, collaborating with design and performance groups.

The role emphasizes test programs, failure analysis, and continuous performance improvements, with a startup-like environment backed by engineering