Principal Design Engineer

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.

We are currently recruiting a Principal Design Engineer to join our Chassis, Bodywork and Wings design group. Collaborating with the Head of Chassis, Bodywork and Wings, you will be responsible for managing a subgroup of Designers and Senior Designers within the department, covering a wide variety of assemblies throughout the F1 car.

The successful candidate will need a strong background in composite design, demonstrate excellent organisational skills working with other design and technical departments to achieve successful designs, often working to tight deadlines. A key focus will be on understanding design capabilities and what we can do to influence it, be that technology, procedures or training. You will use your relationships with the different Vehicle Engineering groups to educate them on best practice.

As Principal Design Engineer, you will:

• Take responsibility of the quality and delivery of projects assigned along with the Head of Department.

• Have governance and validation for all engineering drawings and laminates in accordance to defined standards and procedures.

• Support technical decision-making if requested for the department when Head of Department is not present.

• Take ownership with departmental recruitment and individuals Annual Performance Reviews as well as Development Plans.

• Generate and support Research and Development projects within the area of ownership and wider department.

• Liaise with other Vehicle Engineering Principals and support of the wider organisation to ensure timely delivery and performant, reliable designs.

• Proactively address Faults, Manufacturing queries and feedback in a timely manor.

• Support the Head of Department in adherence and setting of best practises; along with the coaching and mentoring of less experienced designers.

Our ideal candidate is someone who has:

• Strong technical & composites expertise, ideally within a top-level motorsport field with the ability to lead and own other significant projects in their area of specialisation.

• Strong CAD skills, ideally with experience of NX, however training will be provided for conversion from other CAD systems.

• Effective and impactful people management skills.

• An innovative, proactive approach to problem-solving, along with good attention to detail.

• Confidence, and is well organised with the ability to clearly prioritise tasks and deliver to agreed deadlines.

• The ability to integrate and work collaboratively at every level within the organisation.

• An analytical mindset with the ability to interpret data and trends.

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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.