Design Engineer - Racing

Job Summary

The Design Engineer – Racing is responsible to deliver technical and practical engineering solutions to improve vehicle performance. In this role you will have a broad responsibility to support projects in areas such as data analysis, engine calibration, methods and tool development, chassis design, and race day support. The primary focus will be powertrain performance and durability. You will take direction from the Manager of Engineering who will take input from the racing Crew Chief(s). To advance motorcycle racing activities within Harley-Davidson you will need to look beyond just the immediate project scope and requirements to ensure that features align with future technological trends and racing regulations. You may be responsible for delivering limited-edition accessories and/or vehicles based on your racing development support. This key role will work directly with a team of mechanics to maintain a fleet of racing motorcycles in support of a new H-D global racing initiative within the motorcycle world championship. This role may be required to split time onsite at both our Product Development Center in Wauwatosa, WI and our Corporate Headquarters on Juneau Ave. in Milwaukee, WI.

Job Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and continuously optimize factory racing motorcycles.
• Design and deliver performance products.
• Support builds of Harley-Davidson Factory Racing vehicles.
• Provides creative ideas and concepts to solve complex technical issues.
• Supports electro-mechanical vehicle integration and technical correctness of all parts and systems.
• Develop products to meet all Performance, Quality, Cost and Timing targets.
• Grows into a Subject Matter Expert for performance products across specific vehicle systems.
• Works effectively with cross-functional teams to move extremely fast – on and off the track – in a controlled, safe, predictable, and repeatable manner.
• Troubleshoots and identifies root cause(s) of component, system, and vehicle failures.
• Define as-built, and as-serviced bill of material (BOM), manages spare parts inventory and supplier lead-times to support global racing series.
• Support the Harley-Davidson Factory Racing efforts at race and test events.

Education Requirements

Education Specifications

• Requires a Bachelor of Science Degree in Engineering or a related technical field 

Experience Requirements

The successful candidate will have a minimum of three (3) years of relevant engineering experience.  In addition, they will have the following:

• Demonstrated knowledge of engineering calculations, engineering analysis, computerized design, and computer-aided design (CAD) functions.
• Experience with various manufacturing processes and experience designing for them.
• Ability to simultaneously manage technical deliverables on differing timelines.
• Knowledge of vehicle mechanical systems and electro-mechanical integration.
• Creative approach to solving problems and able to own issue resolution from data collection, data analysis, root cause identification, solution set generation, and selection of optimal solution.
• Success coordinating teams of internal stakeholders and suppliers to meet aggressive quality and performance objectives.
• Ability to influence cross-functional team members without direct authority.
• Ability to work with diverse global teams both internally and externally (suppliers), and both domestically and internationally.
• Ability to travel, both domestically and internationally as required, to support all official Factory Racing events.
• Willingness to step outside of immediate job responsibilities whilst supporting a cohesive team.
• Motorcycle license or ability and desire to obtain.

Preferred Experience:

• Exposure to racing vehicle design, support, and operations.
• Experience and proficiency in computer-aided design (CAD); PTC Creo (Pro/E) preferred.
• Familiarity with engine dynamics (ideally V-twin engines) and performance internal combustion engine design and development.
• Superbike or other race support experience as a Design/Data Engineer in a high-level racing series such as AMA Professional Road Racing, NASCAR, IndyCar, F1, WorldSBK, MotoGP, etc.
• Experience testing engines on engine and/or chassis a dynamometer.
• Vehicle dynamics theory and practice and on-track testing development.
• Member of a motorsports racing team
• Familiarity working directly with riders/racers and distilling feedback into actionable changes.
• Advanced motorcycle riding skills.