Senior Design Engineer - Hydraulics

Williams Racing; Wantage; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Williams Racing, the UK Formula 1 team, is seeking a Senior Mechanical Design Engineer to join the Powertrain Hydraulics group, focusing on hydraulic, pneumatic and gearbox systems. You will own projects from concept through prototype, testing and race deployment, working with multiple departments to ensure peak performance.

You should have deep hydraulic/pneumatic system design expertise, a relevant engineering degree, hands-on CAD experience (Siemens NX preferred), and a track record in

Qualifications

• Deep hydraulic and pneumatic system design expertise.
• Hands-on experience with gearbox/powertrain hydraulic systems.
• Relevant engineering degree with motorsport/aerospace experience.

Responsibilities

• Leading the concept, design, and detailing of mechanical, hydraulic, and pneumatic components and assemblies across the powertrain and chassis.
• Designing and integrating gearbox hydraulic systems, including actuation, lubrication, and control circuits.
• Performing stress, flow, and sizing calculations to support design decisions with documentation.
• Conducting design reviews independently or with senior staff.
• Deputising for the Principal Engineer when required.
• Taking end-to-end ownership of projects from design through manufacture, testing, and on-car validation.
• Supporting design checks and peer reviews to ensure conformance with specs.
• Driving innovation and continuous improvement in hydraulic and pneumatic systems.
• Mentoring junior engineers and sharing best practices.

Skills

Hydraulic system design

Pneumatic system design

CAD

Project ownership

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical/Automotive/Aerospace

Tools

Siemens NX

Job 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.

Job Description

We have an exciting opportunity for a Senior Mechanical Design Engineer to join our Powertrain Hydraulics group, contributing to a wide range of assemblies throughout the F1 car with a particular focus on hydraulic, pneumatic, and gearbox systems.

Collaborating with the Group Principal and 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.

About You

With a deep understanding of hydraulic and pneumatic system design,you bring hands‑on expertise in gearbox or powertrain hydraulic systems, confidently selecting pumps, valves, actuators, accumulators, and other critical components, and packaging them efficiently within tight spatial constraints.

Your strong grasp of engineering fundamentals- materials, stress, and fluid mechanics - underpins every decision you make, and your background includes a relevant engineering degree (Mechanical, Automotive, or Aerospace), supported by practical design experience in motorsport, aerospace, or precision engineering. You’re fluent in CAD and ideally familiar with Siemens NX, but you’re just as capable of adapting quickly if your experience lies with other platforms.

Above all, you’re a clear communicator and a collaborative teammate, confident working across disciplines and influencing others to drive the best possible outcomes.

Main responsibilities:

• Leading the concept, design, and detailing of mechanical, hydraulic, and pneumatic components and assemblies across the powertrain and chassis.
• Designing and integrating gearbox hydraulic systems, including actuation, lubrication, and control circuits.
• Performing stress, flow, and sizing calculations to support component and system design decisions, with clear supporting documentation.
• Conducting design reviews independently or alongside the Principal Engineer and Head of Department.
• Deputising for the Principal Engineer and Head of Department when required.
• Taking end-to-end ownership of projects - from design through manufacture, assembly, testing, and on-car validation - including fault analysis and root cause resolution.
• Supporting design checking and peer reviews, ensuring compliance with performance specifications and continuous benchmarking against competitors.
• Driving innovation and continuous improvement in hydraulic and pneumatic systems.
• Mentoring junior engineers, sharing expertise in fluid system design and integration best practices.

Additional Information

Atlassian Williams F1 Team is an equal opportunity employer that values diversity and inclusion. We are happy to discuss reasonable job adjustments.

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