Senior Associate, PU Performance Engineer

Arrow McLaren IndyCar; Woking; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a talented engineer to join their high-performance team. This role focuses on optimizing vehicle performance through advanced modeling and real-time analysis during race events. You will collaborate with various internal and external teams to identify performance improvements and develop innovative tools. If you thrive under pressure and have a passion for motorsport, this opportunity offers a dynamic environment where your contributions can significantly impact racing history. Join a team that values diversity and innovation, and be part of a pioneering journey in the world of motorsport.

Benefits

Private Healthcare

Car Schemes

Life Insurance

Generous Pension Contributions

Gym Access

Restaurant Facilities

Indoor and Outdoor Break-Out Areas

Qualifications

• Master’s degree or higher in a relevant engineering discipline.
• Strong analytical skills with a data-driven approach.
• Proven experience in a PU performance role in high-level Motorsport.

Responsibilities

• Maximise performance through PU models and collaboration with teams.
• Support events with real-time vehicle performance monitoring.
• Develop tools for performance analysis and optimisation.

Skills

Analytical Skills

Python

C++

MATLAB/Simulink

Data Processing

Education

Master's degree in Engineering

Tools

McLaren Applied toolset

MCT

System Monitor

ATLAS

vTAG-PC

Job description

At McLaren, our mission is to set the standard for high performance in sport. And everyone, in every part of the team, has a role to play. So if you want to test your ideas with the world watching... And measure your progress in milliseconds... And play your part in racing history... You belong here. High performance starts with you.

Purpose of the Role

• Creation, correlation and exploitation of our PU models to maximise performance into the 2026 season and new regulations, in partnership with our power unit partner, as well as internal teams across Performance, Control Systems, Vehicle Design and Race Engineering.

• To exploit car performance through optimisation of setup and developing new concepts.

• To support events as part of the Mission Control team monitoring vehicle performance in real time.

Principal Accountabilities

Identifying opportunities to improve car performance through:

• High fidelity MRL PU models, maximising integration with HPP PU toolchain

• Collaborating across internal and external stakeholders

• Pre-event PU simulations that identify robust control strategies across a range of conditions

• Mission control-based event support, using live analysis of on-track running to optimise PU exploitation through the race weekend

• Producing quality, audience-appropriate analysis in challenging timeframes.

• Creating or developing tools to improve the performance analysis.

Role Dimensions

• This role sits within Vehicle Performance, within the Performance Analysis Group.

• This role will require weekend work to support F1 race events, UK-based.

• The role reports directly to Head of, Performance Analysis within Vehicle Performance.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Master’s degree or higher within a relevant engineering discipline, or equivalent qualifications.

• Strong analytical skills underpinned by a data driven approach.

• Proven experience in a PU performance role in high-level Motorsport.

• Deep understanding of how a car's systems interact to affect performance.

• Previous exposure to track/race/simulator environment.

• Skilled in programming languages like Python, C++, or MATLAB/Simulink for data processing and tool development.

• Experience with the McLaren Applied toolset for vehicle and control code simulation would be advantageous (MCT, System Monitor, ATLAS, vTAG-PC).

Personal Attributes

• An ability to work effectively and calmly under pressure.

• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills to resolve complex technical challenges quickly.

• A strong motivation to drive performance, through detailed analysis and simulation work

• First class written and oral communication skills.

• High attention to detail and an ability to take an unbiased approach to all tasks.

• A team player with a positive outlook and a ‘can do’ attitude.

• Proven capability to collaborate across functions.

• Adaptability to the demanding workload and flexibility to support race weekends as required.

• Ability to stay updated with rapidly advancing technology and implement new solutions

What McLaren can offer?

We constantly strive to be better tomorrow than we are today. Our ambition is to be the most pioneering and exhilarating racing team in the world, and our collective task is to set the standards for high performance in sport. We show up every day with energy and enthusiasm, ready to play our part.

We encourage and support diversity, equity and inclusion. We will actively promote a culture that values difference and eliminates discrimination in our workplace.

McLaren Racing is based at the iconic McLaren Technology Centre (MTC) near Woking. Our state of the art, sustainable campus offers many facilities including a gym, restaurant and indoor and outdoor break-out areas, as well as direct access to park and common land. The MTC is connected to Woking mainline station via regular shuttle buses, from which London Waterloo is a 30 minute train ride.

We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including private healthcare, car schemes, life insurance and generous pension contributions.