Principal Design Engineer - Hydraulics

Atlassian Williams Racing; Grove; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading motorsport engineering team in the UK is seeking a Principal Design Engineer - Hydraulics to lead engineering projects from concept to delivery. You will manage a team, oversee hydraulic component design and ensure integration with power units. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in hydraulic systems, a relevant degree, and leadership experience in a high-performance environment. This position offers an opportunity to work within a prestigious and successful racing team.

Qualifications

• Deep understanding of hydraulic and pneumatic systems in high-performance applications.
• Vast relevant experience in engine design.
• Ability to engage and maintain a high-performance team culture.

Responsibilities

• Lead a subgroup of Designers and Senior Designers.
• Oversee concept layout, detail design, and sign-off testing.
• Manage multidisciplinary engineering teams.
• Collaborate with the Head of Powertrain on design and integration tasks.
• Ensure adherence to engineering best practices.

Skills

Hydraulic and pneumatic system design

CAD

Software design tools (Simulink)

SPH fluid dynamics modelling software

Team leadership

Technical decision-making

Education

Relevant degree or equivalent qualification

Tools

Siemens NX

TEAMCENTRE PLM

Job description

We are currently recruiting a Principal Design Engineer - Hydraulics to lead a subgroup of Designers and Senior Designers within our expanding Powertrain department.

The successful candidate will oversee the concept layout, manage the detail design and specify the sign-off testing for the hydraulics, fuel and pneumatic systems.

Collaborating with the Head of Powertrain, you will be responsible for the design and integration of hydraulic and pneumatic components that interface with the power unit and transmission systems. You will take ownership of projects from concept through to prototype, testing, and race deployment, working closely with other engineering departments to ensure world-class performance and reliability.

In addition, you’ll be responsible for the day‑to‑day management of a team of multidisciplinary engineers. We are looking for a team leader who can drive technical excellence while fostering a collaborative, high‑performance culture in the team. The ideal candidate will be capable of guiding a multidisciplinary group, setting clear priorities, and ensuring alignment across the wider Powertrain, Vehicle Engineering, and relevant Operations departments.

As a Principal Design Engineer - Hydraulics, you will:

• Be an influential member of the department holding authority for large engineering projects from concept to delivery and tasked with generating the most advanced, performant and reliable designs to agreed timeframes.
• Support the Head of Department in adherence and setting of best practices; along with leading and coaching Senior and Design Engineers.
• Manage a team of highly talented engineers, supporting their development and growth, while ensuring they meet the team’s overall objectives.
• Take governance and validation for all engineering drawings and laminates in accordance to defined standards and procedures within the group.
• Liaise with the Program Managers to define deliverables, set workloads and resource requirements to ensure that targets are realistic and achievable.
• Take ownership of technical decision‑making if requested for the department when Head of Department is not present.
• Be involved with departmental recruitment, individuals Annual Performance Reviews and Development Plans at the discretion of the Head of Department.

Our ideal candidate is someone who has:

• A deep understanding of hydraulic and pneumatic system design, particularly in high‑performance or motorsport applications (e.g., gearbox, clutch, valve, or actuation systems).
• A relevant degree or equivalent qualification supported by experience in a top‑level motorsport field.
• Experience of CAD, preferably Siemens NX & TEAMCENTRE PLM however training will be provided for conversion from other CAD systems.
• Experience using software design tools such as Simulink.
• Experience of SPH fluid dynamics modelling software would also be beneficial.
• A vast amount of relevant experience in their area of expertise with strong understanding of materials and manufacturing techniques.
• Ability to engage, inspire and support individuals to build and maintain a high‑performance team culture.

Company Description

For almost 50 years, Williams Racing has been at the forefront of one of the fastest sports on the planet, being one of the top three most successful teams in history competing in the FIA Formula 1 World Championship. With an almost unrivalled heritage of engineering and racing F1 cars and unforgettable eras that demonstrate it is a force to be reckoned with, the British squad boasts 16 F1 World Championship titles to its name.

Since its foundation in 1977 by the eminent, late Sir Frank Williams and engineering pioneer Sir Patrick Head, the team has won nine Constructors’ Championships, in association with Cosworth, Honda and Renault. Its roll call of drivers is legendary, with its seven Drivers’ Championship trophies being lifted by true icons of the sport: Alan Jones, Keke Rosberg, Nelson Piquet, Nigel Mansell, Alain Prost, Damon Hill and Jacques Villeneuve. The team has made history before and is out to make it again with a long‑term mission to evolve and return to the front of the grid.

Additional Information

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Atlassian Williams Racing is an equal opportunity employer that values diversity and inclusion. We are happy to discuss reasonable job adjustments.