Gearbox Test Engineer — Dyno Testing & Durability

Gm Performance Power Units; Basildon; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus scheme

Private healthcare

401(k) plan including company match

Employer-paid life insurance and incap

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 run full transmission dyno tests, develop rigs, analyze data, and drive improvements while coordinating with design and simulation teams.

You will plan tests, define instrumentation, and interpret results to validate new designs, investigate failures, and support continuous performance gains in a fast-paced

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, or equivalent.
• 3+ years in mechanical testing with motorsport, automotive, or aerospace experience preferred.
• Strong understanding of gear systems, tribology, and lubrication.
• Fatigue, wear mechanisms, and material behavior.
• Thermal and mechanical loading in high-speed rotating systems.
• 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.
• Detail-oriented with a structured engineering approach.
• Effective communicator across cross-functional teams.
• Ability to manage multiple test programs simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Plan, develop, and execute rigorous test programs for gearbox systems, including full dyno testing and endurance testing.
• Define procedures, instrumentation requirements, and acceptance criteria.
• Operate and support advanced test rigs simulating race duty cycles.
• Analyze high-resolution test data for durability, wear, and thermal performance.
• Correlate test data with simulation and track data.
• Produce engineering reports with recommendations for design improvements.
• Lead root cause analysis of gearbox and component failures.
• Collaborate with design, materials, and manufacturing to implement corrective actions.
• Maintain failure databases and support reliability growth programs.
• Support specification, development, and commissioning of new test rigs and instrumentation.
• Improve test capabilities, automation, and data acquisition processes.
• Ensure test systems replicate real-world conditions.

Skills

Gear systems

Tribology

Thermal analysis

Data analysis

Test rig operation

Instrumentation

MATLAB

Python

Education

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

Tools

MATLAB

Python

DAQ systems

Data acquisition instrumentation

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 run full transmission dyno tests, develop rigs, analyze data, and drive improvements while coordinating with design and simulation teams.

You will plan tests, define instrumentation, and interpret results to validate new designs, investigate failures, and support continuous performance gains in a fast-paced