Head of Simulator Development

McLaren Racing

Woking, United Kingdom

Purpose of the Role:

To lead a Group of engineers and technicians developing McLaren Formula 1’s driver in the loop (DIL) simulator technology, delivering continuous improvement and major upgrade projects to maintain our position as a leader in the field.

Role Dimensions:

The Head of Simulator Development reports to the Director of the Vehicle Performance department and is responsible for leading the Simulator Development group. The role requires strong collaboration with external partners (e.g. universities, suppliers) and other teams in Vehicle Performance to deliver upgrade projects (e.g. Vehicle Modelling Group, Control Systems), and with key stakeholders (e.g. Performance Analysis Group, Race Engineering).

The Head of Simulator Development collaborates with Finance, the Director of Vehicle Performance and the Technical Director (Performance) to agree short and long-term budgets for simulator hardware and software upgrades and maintenance.

Principal Accountabilities:

Providing simulator development leadership & direction;
Recruiting, developing & mentoring a Group of world class engineers & technicians;
Providing line management and pastoral supervision;
Delivering against the development priorities specified by Senior Management;
Delivering the test programme via preparation & maintenance of simulator hardware & software;
Ensuring alignment of simulator hardware & software with the real world (e.g. tracks, chassis hardware, ECU software);
Enabling rapid adoption of trackside software & models in the simulator;
Managing prioritisation of customers’ feature requests & faults alongside longer-term projects;
Working with team-mates to maintain excellent correlation of the simulator to the real car;
Identifying and prioritising correlation opportunities in sub-system models, graphics or cueing;
Leading and contributing to simulator cueing research projects (motion, haptic, visual, audio);
Maximising the use of existing hardware and software & identifying investment opportunities;
Maintaining industry-leading awareness of developments in relevant technologies.

Job requirements:

Knowledge, Skills and Experience:

Essential

World class knowledge of DIL simulator hardware, software & systems integration technology;
Qualified to postgraduate level (or equivalent industrial experience) in Mechanical Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Physical Sciences, Control Engineering or a related discipline;
Extensive knowledge of the following:
- Developing and using models in Matlab/Simulink/C++;
- Motion cueing and human factors;
- Graphics rendering;
- Hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) systems.
Track record of innovation and creative thought;
Experienced in managing teams and projects in a demanding environment;
Proven pastoral leadership & mentoring capability;
Track record of managing relationships with internal and external partners.

Desirable

Experienced in the application of simulator technology to a high-end motorsport setting;
Detailed knowledge of the following technical subjects:
- Robotics/mechatronics;
- Digital signal processing;
- Vehicle model correlation;
- Machine safety.

Personal Attributes:

Able to recognise key success factors and to rapidly identify & address key issues;
Ensures priorities are aligned with wider development objectives;
Proactive, innovative and uses initiative;
Able to work collaboratively and with minimal supervision;
Highly self-motivated and able to prioritise multiple demands;
Outstanding analytical skills and attention to detail;
Results focused and driven to achieve;
Capable of adopting a range of audience-appropriate communication & influencing styles;
Excellent interpersonal & influencing skills;
Empathetic and able to understand a range of viewpoints;
Encourages and supports colleagues and direct reports.