NASCAR Aero Senior Manager

About Pratt Miller, an Oshkosh company

Pratt Miller is a product development company in motorsports, defense, and mobility industries providing clients with product engineering and low-volume production solutions. Our range of research & development, engineering, prototype manufacturing, test & validation, and low-rate production capability help our customers bring their high-quality products to market faster.

Pratt Miller is a product development company in motorsports, defense, and mobility industries providing clients with product engineering and low-volume production solutions. Our range of research & development, engineering, prototype manufacturing, test & validation, and low-rate production capability help our customers bring their high-quality products to market faster.

Pratt Miller is seeking a NASCAR Aero Senior Manager to lead its NASCAR aerodynamic effort. This leader will oversee and direct the work and resources of a team of matrixed personnel toward achieving the goals of the NASCAR Program along with participating (both technically and operationality) in the program. This role involves both leading the NASCAR aero submission process for body submission, along with ongoing performance development of both Cup and Truck NASCAR platforms.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:  Typical responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

• Lead the NASCAR aero submission program supporting OEM’s body submission. This includes aero surface design, CFD testing, wind tunnel testing, coordinating with NASCAR on the execution of the designated submission practice, and following the process through till production parts are produced
• Lead the NASCAR performance development effort. This includes, target setting analysis, aero surface design, CFD testing and correlation, wind tunnel testing, and coordination with teams on the implementation of performance items.
• Participate in the development of aero testing process through continuous improvement of all the aera of the aero development process (target setting, CFD, track testing, correlation, wind tunnel testing).
• Management of Aerodynamic program personnel, including personnel, budgets, and communication with stakeholders

Essential Skills:

• Experience applying CFD methods and interpreting results to guide development.
• Experience with CAD and PLM tools (Windchill, Teamcenter, Etc.) to generate aerodynamic surfaces and achieve project deliverables.
• Comfort developing new internal test procedures and organizational technical structure relationships ensuring repeat business opportunities.
• Ability to communicate professionally, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to interface comfortably within a matrix organization.
• Proven organizational skillset and comfort managing multiple projects simultaneously.
• Work safely to comply with all business expectations.
• Customer focused, service-oriented mindset.

EDUCATION/CERTIFICATION/YEARS OF EXPERIENCE:

• Advanced degree in Aerospace, Mechanical or Automotive Engineering (or equivalent).

DESIRED SPECIALIZED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE:

• Experience leading advanced aerodynamic development teams using the latest tools and processes.
• Working knowledge of engineering software, development methods and procedures as applied in advanced motorsport and automotive aerodynamic development (i.e., F1, IndyCar, NASCAR, IMSA, Automotive OEM).
• Experience planning and executing reduced-scale and full-scale rolling road wind tunnel programs.
• Knowledgeable in experimental aerodynamic measurements (such as pressure taps, multi-hole probes and PIV) for correlating CFD trends.
• Understanding CFD turbulence modeling methods and trade-offs.
• Experience leading or growing a CFD or Aerodynamics services business.
• Understanding of aerodynamic effects on vehicle dynamics and range.

• Strong understanding of Fluid Dynamics theory such as flow separation and attachment, vortex interaction, boundary layer transition, ground effect, and thermodynamics.
• Highly self-motivated with the ability to manage their own workload as well as the workload of less senior engineers and technicians to achieve important deadlines with minimal oversight.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Position requires occasional or frequent moderate physical activity.

EXPECTED HOURS OF WORK:

• Daytime schedule Monday-Friday with flexibility to work longer hours and weekends during peak project deliverable durations or offsite testing trips.
• Monthly travel may be required and will vary based on project requirements.

Pay