Gearbox Test Engineer — Dyno Testing & Data-Driven R&D

GM Performance Power Units; Hemel Hempstead; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus scheme

Private healthcare

401(k) plan including company match

Employer-paid life insurance and dis­b

Disability coverage

Job summary

GM Performance Power Units in Hemel Hempstead is seeking a Gearbox Test Engineer to lead development, validation, and reliability testing of Formula 1 transmission systems in a factory environment. You will run full dyno testing, develop rigs, and analyze data to improve durability, efficiency, and lubrication strategies, working closely with design and simulation teams.

The role emphasizes hands-on test rig work, cross-functional collaboration, and delivering rigorous test programs with

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, or related discipline.
• 3+ years in mechanical testing with motorsport, automotive, or aerospace experience preferred.
• Strong understanding of gear systems, tribology, and lubrication.
• Understanding of fatigue, wear mechanisms, and material behavior.
• Experience with test rig operation and instrumentation including torque, speed, strain, and temperature measurements.
• Proficiency in data analysis tools (MATLAB, Python, or similar).
• Familiarity with DAQ systems and automated test environments.
• Understanding of simulation correlation (FEA, multibody, or drivetrain models) is beneficial.
• Strong analytical thinking and problem-solving skills.

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

Fatigue

Lubrication

Thermal loading

Data analysis

Problem solving

Cross-functional collaboration

Test rig operation

Instrumentation

Education

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

Tools

MATLAB

Python

DAQ systems

Automated test environments

FEA / Multibody tools

Job description

GM Performance Power Units in Hemel Hempstead is seeking a Gearbox Test Engineer to lead development, validation, and reliability testing of Formula 1 transmission systems in a factory environment. You will run full dyno testing, develop rigs, and analyze data to improve durability, efficiency, and lubrication strategies, working closely with design and simulation teams.

The role emphasizes hands-on test rig work, cross-functional collaboration, and delivering rigorous test programs with