What are the responsibilities and job description for the Performance Engineer - NASCAR position at Penske Racing South?
The Performance Engineer directly contributes to the performance of our race cars by working closely with the race engineers, engineering staff, and crew chiefs, while also working independently to identify, test, organize, analyze, validate, and communicate areas of improvement and ways in which these improvements can be realized. Using data, research, internal and external resources, as well as other staff, the performance engineer role will develop items and help to understand and optimize configurations that will aid in the performance of the race car. The qualified person will be organized, self-motivated, and able to work with minimum supervision and under extreme pressure to make quick, calculated decisions. A strong interpersonal and communication skillset is required, along with an exceptional team mentality. Performance Engineers are encouraged to challenge established thinking and share their ideas to create an environment where everyone can contribute to our shared success.
This position requires occasional weekday and weekend travel for testing and race events. During race weekends, Performance Engineers will support track activities remotely from our Mooresville, NC shop.
Roles & Responsibilities:
- Assist race teams in setup development for each event
- Simulation support & analysis of NexGen setup parameters
- Interpret tire models & deliver tire condition recommendations
- Driver In Loop (DIL) testing & analysis
- Optimize suspension systems during 7-Post testing
- Conduct on track testing, data analysis, & performance reporting
- Collaborate with Performance Engineers & Race Engineers to develop & refine engineering tools
- Provide live race support — monitor timing & scoring, track performance trends, and communicate clear, actionable observations to race teams.
- Develop, standardize, and maintain engineering reports and performance documentation
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Automotive, or related discipline)
- Minimum 3 years of motorsports experience
- Strong knowledge of vehicle dynamics, high-performance vehicle physics, and applied engineering mathematics
- Ability to work under pressure and to tight deadlines with minimal errors
- Strong levels of IT skills, including MS Office, Excel, Word, PowerPoint
- Experience with data analysis software (MoTeC/PiToolbox/Atlas)
- Familiarity with NASCAR Next Gen platforms, regulations, and operational procedures is an advantage
