VEHICLE DYNAMICIST
The team's Vehicle Dynamics department hones the cars' performance through simulation and analysis - and by getting trackside at tests. A broad knowledge of engineering, and good problem solving and communication skills are vital if you're developing new concepts for Vodafone McLaren Mercedes' cars, says one of McLaren Racing's Vehicle Modelling team leaders...
The job
"The role of the Vehicle Modelling team is to analyse and predict car performance. Our five-person team works closely with designers and race engineers to develop and evaluate new concepts, so we're commonly working at three different stages of a car's development. We're mostly concerned with the development of mechanical solutions, such as suspension components, springs, dampers and brakes. So although we predominantly use computer simulation, we also run chassis dynamics rigs and brake dyno rigs to assess different solutions. The role involves attending test sessions on a regular basis, but we rarely go to races. By that stage, most analysis has been done, but we do provide support from the McLaren Technology Centre throughout the race weekend."
What qualifications would I need?
"We recruit people with a broad range of experience, including graduates. We look for a strong mathematical background, a good grasp of mechanics, and reasonable computer skills. My advice would be to get as broad an education as you can at school, and then you can hone that at university. I studied Engineering Science, then completed a PhD in Control Theory - a theoretical branch of engineering. Even then, it was still a fairly broad engineering course and I only specialised in the final year. In real life you don't get faced with pure mechanical engineering problems. Solving real life problems means using knowledge from a range of disciplines - a combination of mechanics, electronics and signal processing, for example. It's only once you join the team that you'll learn the relevant vehicle dynamics skills you'll need in Formula 1. Strong interpersonal skills are important because we work with a diverse range of people. We need be able to draw balanced conclusions and then communicate those views in a decisive manner to designers and race engineers."
Where would I start?
"I joined the team six years ago as a graduate and my role for the first 18 months was mathematical modeling for simulation development and algorithm development. I then got the opportunity to work with tyre modelling, which was great because it meant I could work closer to the car and race engineers. A year ago, I moved into the role of team leader."
The team's Vehicle Dynamics department hones the cars' performance through simulation and analysis - and by getting trackside at tests. A broad knowledge of engineering, and good problem solving and communication skills are vital if you're developing new concepts for Vodafone McLaren Mercedes' cars, says one of McLaren Racing's Vehicle Modelling team leaders...
The job
"The role of the Vehicle Modelling team is to analyse and predict car performance. Our five-person team works closely with designers and race engineers to develop and evaluate new concepts, so we're commonly working at three different stages of a car's development. We're mostly concerned with the development of mechanical solutions, such as suspension components, springs, dampers and brakes. So although we predominantly use computer simulation, we also run chassis dynamics rigs and brake dyno rigs to assess different solutions. The role involves attending test sessions on a regular basis, but we rarely go to races. By that stage, most analysis has been done, but we do provide support from the McLaren Technology Centre throughout the race weekend."
What qualifications would I need?
"We recruit people with a broad range of experience, including graduates. We look for a strong mathematical background, a good grasp of mechanics, and reasonable computer skills. My advice would be to get as broad an education as you can at school, and then you can hone that at university. I studied Engineering Science, then completed a PhD in Control Theory - a theoretical branch of engineering. Even then, it was still a fairly broad engineering course and I only specialised in the final year. In real life you don't get faced with pure mechanical engineering problems. Solving real life problems means using knowledge from a range of disciplines - a combination of mechanics, electronics and signal processing, for example. It's only once you join the team that you'll learn the relevant vehicle dynamics skills you'll need in Formula 1. Strong interpersonal skills are important because we work with a diverse range of people. We need be able to draw balanced conclusions and then communicate those views in a decisive manner to designers and race engineers."
Where would I start?
"I joined the team six years ago as a graduate and my role for the first 18 months was mathematical modeling for simulation development and algorithm development. I then got the opportunity to work with tyre modelling, which was great because it meant I could work closer to the car and race engineers. A year ago, I moved into the role of team leader."
