Ford Racing Simulation, Tools and Methods Manager

Ford Motor Company; Concord (NC); Hybrid; USD 141,700 - 268,300; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision care

Paid time off

Holidays

Job summary

Ford Racing in Concord, NC seeks a visionary Tools and Simulation Manager (LL5) to lead the simulation team, set strategic direction, and drive the integration of AI-based analytical tools and tire modeling into a unified simulation platform.

You will manage a high-performing team, oversee simulator operations and budgets, and bridge racing partners with Ford Product Development. This hybrid role requires at least 4 days onsite in Concord, NC.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related.
• 10+ years of professional engineering experience in motorsports, automotive, or aerospace.
• Experience managing and operating Driver-in-the-Loop (DiL) simulators.
• Experience integrating multidisciplinary vehicle subsystem models into simulation environments.
• Experience using industry-standard racing tools, telemetry systems, and vehicle dynamics software.
• Experience implementing AI-based engineering solutions or developing advanced analytical tools.

Responsibilities

• Direct Management: Lead, mentor, and develop a team, fostering a culture of high performance, collaboration, and continuous technical growth.
• Oversee simulation operations and annual budgets for the Ford Racing DiL simulators, ensuring maximum uptime and peak performance.
• Drive integration of multidisciplinary models into a cohesive simulation environment.
• Lead the strategic growth and global deployment of simulators as part of Ford Racing’s expansion.
• Standardize tools, methods, and data formats across Ford Racing, PD, and partner teams.

Skills

Leadership

Mentoring

Team management

Strategic thinking

AI tooling

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

Driver-in-the-Loop simulators

Telemetry systems

Vehicle dynamics software

Job description

In 1901, Henry Ford design and built the racecar called "Sweepstakes." On October 10 that year, he drove Sweepstakes against Alexander Winton, a famous racer and builder. Against all odds, Ford won. That was the beginning – "the race that changed the world" – and it continues today. From our victories at Le Mans in 1966 and again fifty years later in 2016, to championships in NASCAR, World Rally Championship, Off‑Road, Sports Cars, NHRA, and other series across the globe, the spirit of Henry Ford lives with us every day through our motorsports efforts around the world.

Ford Racing

is seeking a talented, committed engineer to be a part of their motorsports team as the Simulation, Tools and Methods Manager.

In this position...

We are seeking a visionary, forward‑looking engineering leader to serve as our Tools and Simulation Manager (LL5). Based at our Ford Racing Concord facility, you will lead the charge in defining the future of our simulation and analytical capabilities.

In this role, you will directly manage a high‑performing team of LL6 Supervisors, oversee simulator operations and budgets, and own the integration of next‑generation analytical, AI, and tire modeling tools. As a key strategic leader, you will bridge the gap between elite racing partners (NASCAR, Sportscar, Hypercar, Off‑Road) and internal production vehicle teams, while spearheading the physical and technological expansion of Ford Racing’s global simulator facilities.

This role is hybrid and requires at least 4 days onsite in Concord, NC.

What You’ll Do...

• Direct Management: Lead, mentor, and develop a team, fostering a culture of high performance, collaboration, and continuous technical growth.
• Team Growth & Integration: Lead the strategic growth, development, and integration of the simulation team, building a unified, world‑class engineering unit dedicated to the overall success of Ford Racing.
• Simulator Operations & Budgeting: Own the operational roadmap and annual budgets for the Ford Racing DiL simulators, ensuring maximum uptime, efficient resource allocation, and peak technical performance.
• Global Expansion: Act as the visionary lead for the growth and deployment of additional simulators as part of the strategic expansion of Ford Racing’s global facilities.

Tool, Method & Model Integration

• Standardization & Commonization: Drive the adoption of common tools, methods, nomenclature, input methods, and overall output formats across Ford Racing, partner race teams, and Ford Product Development (PD) to ensure seamless data exchange and alignment.
• Cross‑Functional Model Integration: Lead the integration of complex, multi‑disciplinary models—including vehicle dynamics, aerodynamics, power unit, vehicle controls, and external partner models—into a cohesive simulation environment.
• Advanced Tool Ownership: Direct the development and deployment of track‑side tools. Foster the critical engineering bridges between HHDM and VAST.
• AI & Future Tech: Own the strategic implementation and future growth of AI‑based tools and analytical methods to accelerate vehicle development and simulator fidelity.
• Tire Model Integration: Drive the integration of advanced tire models into the simulation environment to ensure industry‑leading correlation and driver feedback.

Cross‑Functional Collaboration & Tech Transfer

• Cross‑Series Learnings: Drive shared learnings and technical synergy across all simulator users, including NASCAR, Sportscar, Hypercar, and Off‑Road programs.
• Race‑to‑Road / Road‑to‑Race: Facilitate seamless technology transfer between external racing partners and internal Ford production vehicle teams to elevate both track performance and road car dynamics.

Facility & Asset Management

• Facility Growth: Interface directly with Ford Land and external partners to lead the physical growth, design, and optimization of the Ford Racing Concord facilities.
• Asset Alignment: Partner with cross‑functional users to forecast future facility requirements and align on the necessary tools to manage the physical assets within the building.

You’ll have...

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
• 10+ years of professional engineering experience in motorsports, automotive, or aerospace.
• Experience managing and operating Driver‑in‑the‑Loop (DiL) simulators.
• Experience integrating multidisciplinary vehicle subsystem models into simulation environments.
• Experience using industry‑standard racing tools, telemetry systems, and vehicle dynamics software.
• Experience implementing AI‑based engineering solutions or developing advanced analytical tools.

Even better, you may have...

• Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical field.
• Active personal or professional involvement in competitive motorsports (e.g., professional racing series, club racing, or off‑road competition).
• An established, high‑level network within the global motorsports, vehicle development, or advanced simulation industries.
• Experience managing multi‑million dollar operational, testing, and program budgets.
• Flexibility and willingness to travel, including weekend travel to support key race events and track tests.
• A deep‑seated passion for racing, motorsports, and high‑performance vehicle development.

As an established global company, we offer the benefit of choice. You can choose what your Ford future will look like: will your story span the globe, or keep you close to home? Will your career be a deep dive into what you love, or a series of new teams and new skills? Will you be a leader, a changemaker, a technical expert, a culture builder…or all of the above? No matter what you choose, we offer a work life that works for you, including:

• Immediate medical, dental, vision and prescription drug coverage.
• Flexible family care days, paid parental leave, new parent ramp‑up programs, subsidized back‑up child care and more.
• Family building benefits including adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, fertility treatments, and more.
• Vehicle discount program for employees and family members and management leases.
• Tuition assistance.
• Established and active employee resource groups.
• Paid time off for individual and team community service.
• A generous schedule of paid holidays, including the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day.
• Paid time off and the option to purchase additional vacation time.

This position is leadership level 5 and ranges from $141,700–$268,300.

Final determination of salary grade will be based on candidate’s skills and experience, and base salary will be set within the applicable range according to job scope, responsibility and competitive market value.

For more information on salary and benefits, click here.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Candidates for positions with Ford Motor Company must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, age, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status or protected veteran status. In the United States, if you need a reasonable accommodation for the online application process due to a disability, please call 1-888-336-0660.