Electrical Engineer

The Electrical Engineer plays a key role in developing and advancing electrical systems and methodology for competition in NASCAR Cup Series racing. This person bridges the Vehicle Production Electrical and Vehicle Engineering Departments, providing an end-to-end electrical solution from design all the way through hands-on execution. That ownership carries through a continuous cycle of accountability and improvement, driven by design, testing, and validation. This role blends electronics design, wire harness and PCB development, and motorsport control/DAQ software with mechatronics skills - including modern DAQ and PLC systems - used to automate tasks, build test strategies, wire and control test equipment, and maintain and upgrade test machines used to collect vehicle and component data.

The ideal candidate brings a broad and flexible electrical engineering skillset relevant to NASCAR Cup Series racing, along with strong problem-solving ability, adaptability, and a great work ethic - someone equally at home moving between benchtop troubleshooting, harness and PCB design, and automated test and data-acquisition systems.

Key Responsibilities

Electronics

• Demonstrate basic knowledge of common power systems (buck/boost converters, rectifiers, inverters, high- and low-side switches, etc.)
• Design and troubleshoot analog and digital circuitry
• Apply experience with microcontrollers and other integrated electronics (a plus)
• Solder with proficiency, including SMD PCB assembly and rework
• Use DMMs, oscilloscopes, and other benchtop electronic lab equipment with an excellent working understanding
• Quickly design and build troubleshooting rigs and devices

Systems Engineering

• Own and continuously improve the vehicle's 12V electrical architecture - power distribution, grounding, protection, wiring, connectors, sensors, actuators, control modules, and data logging
• Diagnose intermittent and repeatable faults using schematics, electrical measurements, and data logs; reproduce issues through methodical fault isolation and document the verified root cause
• Assess voltage drop, current draw, transients, noise, thermal loading, and failure modes; specify and validate robust solutions suited to the racing environment
• Integrate modules and devices from multiple manufacturers into a single coherent system
• Work with supplied electronics and communication networks, including CAN, LIN, and other vehicle interfaces, to ensure systems function together reliably
• Maintain an understanding of common automotive battery technologies and their application
• Keep general awareness of common motorsport electronics hardware (Motion Applied, Cosworth, Bosch, Motec, Holley EFI) (a plus)

Wire Harness Design

• Design low-voltage vehicle wiring harnesses; knowledge of industry wiring software such as Siemens Capital Harness, Zuken E3, or Harnware is a plus
• Specify, design for, and build motorsport wiring harnesses using Autosport, Souriau, and DTM/DT/DTP connector systems, or other Mil-Spec or comparable connectors
• Design and release practical circuit, harness, connector, and packaging changes with configuration control and clear instructions for installation and service

Printed Circuit Design

• Design printed circuit boards using industry-standard software (Altium Designer, Eagle, KiCad, Xpedition, OrCAD, etc.)
• Apply knowledge of PCB production methods, including PCB assembly

Motorsport Vehicle Control / Data Acquisition Software

• Set up vehicle systems using motorsport electronic control software (Motion Applied System Monitor, Bosch RaceCon, Motec M1 Tune/Build, Cosworth Toolset)
• Apply knowledge of motorsport PDM software (Bosch PBXSuite, Motec PDM Manager)
• Use data visualization software; familiarity with motorsports-specific software (Pi, Atlas, WinDarab, i2, etc.) is a plus

Mechatronics, Test Automation, and Testing Systems

• Turn field failures and development questions into test plans with a defined hypothesis, measured signals, operating conditions, pass criteria, and a clear record of results
• Use modern DAQ and PLC systems to automate testing and data collection tasks
• Select, install, calibrate, and validate sensors and data acquisition systems, ensuring sample rates, signal conditioning, synchronization, and data quality match the phenomenon under test
• Wire, control, and integrate instrumentation and actuation for test systems, from sensor to data output
• Build fixtures and bench systems to characterize components under realistic electrical and environmental loads, including endurance and fault-injection testing when appropriate
• Maintain, troubleshoot, and upgrade the test machines (MTS, Servotest, Pushup Rig) used to collect data from vehicles and components
• Analyze results, identify uncertainty or test limitations, and recommend a decision or next experiment, preserving data and procedures so tests can be repeated
• Take ownership of test outcomes end-to-end, feeding validation results back into a continuous cycle of accountability and improvement for the vehicle's electrical systems

Qualifications

Required:

• Proficiency in analog and digital circuit design, with strong soldering skills including SMD PCB assembly and rework.
• Working knowledge of common power systems (buck/boost converters, rectifiers, inverters, high- and low-side switches).
• Experience with DMMs, oscilloscopes, and other benchtop electronic lab equipment.
• Experience using modern DAQ and PLC systems to automate test tasks and collect data.
• Ability to develop test strategies for components and systems, and to wire and control the equipment used to run those tests.
• Experience maintaining, troubleshooting, and upgrading electro-hydraulic test machines.
• Understanding of automotive electrical systems and CAN, LIN, and other communication protocols in both hardware and software.
• Experience designing printed circuit boards using industry-standard software (Altium Designer, Eagle, KiCad, Xpedition, OrCAD, etc.).
• Experience designing or specifying low-voltage wiring harnesses and motorsport connector systems (Autosport, Souriau, DTM/DT/DTP, or similar Mil-Spec connectors).
• Strong problem-solving skills and adaptability in a fast-paced, high-pressure racing environment.
• Broad and flexible electrical engineering skillset relevant to NASCAR Cup Series racing, with a strong work ethic.
• Ability to travel to race / testing events as needed to provide support.

Preferred:

• Experience with microcontrollers and other integrated electronics.
• Familiarity with industry wiring harness software such as Siemens Capital Harness, Zuken E3, or Harnware.
• General awareness of common motorsport electronics hardware (Motion Applied, Cosworth, Bosch, Motec, Holley EFI).
• Experience with motorsport vehicle control software (Motion Applied System Monitor, Bosch RaceCon, Motec M1 Tune/Build, Cosworth Toolset) and PDM software (Bosch PBXSuite, Motec PDM Manager).
• Familiarity with motorsports-specific data visualization software (Pi, Atlas, WinDarab, i2, etc.).
• Experience in motorsports or other high-performance vehicle environments.
• Strong communication skills, including oral and written communication, for effectively conveying technical information to non-technical team members.

Core Competencies:

• Accuracy: Perform work accurately and thoroughly.
• Analytical Skills: Exhibit critical thinking and reasoning to solve problems.
• Detail-Oriented: Pay attention to the minute details of a project or task.
• Adaptability: Adjust effectively to changes in the workplace or project requirements.
• Organized: Follow systematic methods to ensure efficient task completion.
• Initiative: Take proactive actions to solve problems or achieve goals.
• Strategic Planning: Develop a vision for long-term success and implement actions to achieve objectives.
• Safety Awareness: Identify and correct conditions that may affect employee safety.
• Systems Analysis: Evaluate system functionality and adapt to changing conditions or environments.
• Oral and Written Communication: Communicate clearly, concisely, and effectively using both spoken and written words.

Desired Education:

• Bachelor degree in Engineering

Desired Work Experience:

• 3-5 years

Education/Experience:

Must have a strong foundation in electrical/electronics engineering principles, including analog/digital circuit design, wire harness and PCB design, and mechatronics (DAQ/PLC-based test automation). Should have hands-on soldering, benchtop lab, and hardware troubleshooting skills. Should be able to work under pressure in a fast-paced, deadline-driven racing environment. Experience with electro-hydraulic test equipment maintenance and upgrades is a plus. Must own and be able to utilize personal tools and equipment.

Certificates and Licenses:

Computer Skills:

Knowledge of Microsoft Office is required. Experience with PCB design software (Altium Designer, Eagle, KiCad, Xpedition, OrCAD), DAQ/PLC programming environments, wire harness design software (Siemens Capital Harness, Zuken E3, Harnware), and motorsport data visualization software (Pi, Atlas, WinDarab, i2) is a plus.

Attendance Expectations:

The position requires regular and predictable attendance. Scheduled shifts may include evening hours, weekends, and holidays, particularly around race and test events. Should be able to work a flexible schedule. Some travel to races and test events may be required.

Physical Demands:

Requires vision (near, depth), sense of touch, and ability to wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) - safety glasses and hearing protection. Constantly stands, walks, manually manipulates, reaches outward, lifts/carries up to 50 pounds, and pushes/pulls up to 25 pounds. Frequently sits, reaches above shoulder, climbs, crawls, squats or kneels, bends, lifts/carries up to 100 pounds, and pushes/pulls up to 40 pounds. Occasionally lifts/carries over 100 pounds and pushes/pulls up to 100 pounds.

Environment Demands:

Position works primarily indoors in a shop and lab environment, with occasional outdoor work at track and test events.

Verbal and Writing Ability:

Needs strong oral and written communication skills to convey technical information to both technical and non-technical team members.

Hendrick is an Equal Opportunity employer. Minorities, women, veterans, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. For more information regarding the EEOC, please visit https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/22-088_EEOC_KnowYourRights6.12ScreenRdr.pdf.