Ford Performance Motorsport Lead

About Us

Lead. Grow. Transform. 

Ford Australia is constantly evolving and innovating, committed to delivering smarter, more connected vehicles for all Australians, now and for generations to come.

Looking ahead, Ford is excited about the future. With an expanding vehicle lineup, growing digital services, and a strong dealer network, they are well-positioned to support Australian businesses in new ways.

As Australia’s largest automotive OEM employer, they proudly have around 1,500 talented engineers, designers, and specialists working across five Victorian sites. Crucially, Australia is a key global development hub for Ford and their local design and engineering team lead the creation of vehicles including the Ranger, Ranger Raptor, and Everest – models sold in around 180 markets worldwide.

Complementing this technical network, Ford Australia’s National Sales Company (NSC) located in Richmond, is the central hub for commercial and customer engagement activities across the country.

About the Role 

This position requires a unique blend of program coordination and technical expertise. The successful candidate will be responsible for managing the logistics, budget, and delivery of these programs, while also providing crucial technical support to teams, assisting with problem-solving, and supporting homologation efforts.

Serving as a key liaison between Ford Performance and Supercars, the role will also focus on identifying commercial opportunities (particularly for T6 (Ranger/Everest programs) and overseeing both Australian and international T6 off-road racing activities.

Ultimately, this role is pivotal in ensuring Ford's diverse racing activities are strategically managed, technically robust, and commercially successful, bridging the gap between high-level strategy and on-track execution across multiple disciplines.

Reporting to the Ford Performance Motorsport Manager, based at Ford Australia’s Head office in Broadmeadows, your primary focus will be ensuring Ford's diverse racing activities are well-managed, technically sound, and commercially savvy.

This role offers a Hybrid work arrangement.

Supercars Technical Liaison & Support:

• Serve as the primary technical interface and liaison for Triple Eight, all Ford Supercars teams, and vehicle homologation teams.

• Provide technical assistance and support specifically for the Gen3 Supercars race program.

• Manage relationships through a combination of in-person engagement and virtual communication (e.g., Webex), which will involve some travel.

• Assist Triple Eight with Gen3 testing activities where possible.

• Collaborate with the Ford Performance team and the Supercars organization to facilitate and achieve Ford's strategic goals for the Gen3 era.

In-Country Ford Performance Liaison & Information Sharing:

• Act as the dedicated in-country technical liaison for Ford Performance.

• Participate in cross-series updates and global Ford Performance development program discussions to stay informed on worldwide FP activities.

• Disseminate relevant technical and program information as required within the Australian context.

• Identify and facilitate opportunities for knowledge sharing and technical collaboration between Australian motorsports programs and global Ford Performance initiatives.

Out of Country Ford Performance Liaison & Information Sharing:

• Ability to support testing at various locations globally ad-hoc travel required.

• Must hold or be eligible for a passport;

Technical Resource Coordination:

• Coordinate the utilization and provide access for race teams to key technical resources and facilities.

• This includes managing scheduling and access for the simulator, shock dynos, and the K&C (Kinematics & Compliance) Machine.

Program Management (Off-Road Racing):

• Hold primary responsibility for the on-time delivery and successful execution of specific race programs.

• This includes managing the Raptor Race programs, such as the Baja 1000 and Finke Race programs.

Required Skills & Experience:

• Demonstrated expertise in program delivery is essential, encompassing proficiency in planning, timing, and coordination activities.

About You

• A degree in Engineering, Commerce, and/or Business is highly desirable.

• A minimum of 5 years of demonstrated prior experience in a relevant field. Experience in program management, vehicle engineering, or aerodynamic roles is preferred.

• Previous experience in either a Motorsport Australia (MA) affiliated category or professional motorsport is essential. This experience must include demonstrated proficiency in:

1. Vehicle setup
2. Team management
3. Rule interpretation
4. Category management

• Experience in MA Race vehicle homologation and prior Super 3, Super2, or Supercar race experience is highly valued and a key requirement for this role.

• Strong technical understanding of Vehicle Dynamics, Aerodynamics, and Program Management principles.

• Proven ability to build and maintain strong working relationships and collaborate effectively across diverse groups. This includes successful interaction with peers, cross-functional teams, international colleagues, and senior leadership.

• Vehicle development experience in vehicle dynamics or powertrain systems

• Experience using logged data to improve track performance

• Demonstrated experience using Bosch Motorsport, Motec, Cosworth hardware and software

• Experience setting up vehicle instrumentation

• Knowledge and experience with GPIRS and Ariba/Aurora

This role will have the requirement to travel and some weekend work to support race events as required.

Why Ford? 

As we celebrate 100 years in Australia, our legacy truly speaks for itself. But we believe we do more than build award winning vehicles—we build careers!

Flexible Work Arrangements.     

• Complimentary vehicle and additional discounted lease car options.

• Recognised by WGEA as an Employer of Choice for Gender Equality.   

• Multiple Employee Resource Groups – Ford Pride, Women of Ford and Ford Empowering Diverse Abilities      

• Opportunities for growth and personal development through external/internal training programs    

• Paid parental leave.  

• Comprehensive Employee Assist Program  

• Wellness Programs including Free Flu Vaccinations and Health Checks

• Paid volunteer days.    

Equal Opportunity  

Ford Australia is committed to building an inclusive work environment and welcome applications from First Nations, LGBTQ+, culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, people with disability, and people across all life stages.

As part of our commitment to driving equity and inclusion for all, we are now recognised by WGEA as an Employer of Choice for Gender Equality.  

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and all effort will be made to ensure diverse interviewers.  If you require any support or adjustments to the recruitment process, please contact Sarah at scastr34@ford.com.

Candidates at the time of application must be legally authorised to work in Australia (relocation costs may be at the expense of the candidate/employee). Verification of employment eligibility in Australia will be required at the time of hire.

---Applications will close on Sunday 22 June, however, please do not delay your application as interviews will commence before this date--- 

Please note due to the high numbers of applications we will only be able to contact shortlisted candidates.

*Ford Motor Company of Australia Pty Limited ACN 004 116 223 (Ford) is collecting your personal information in order to consider you for a role at Ford. Ford may also collect personal information about you from third parties such as refereess and recruitment agencies for this purpose. Ford may disclose your personal information to its related companies and third party service providers for purposes such as screening and background checks, aptitude testing and health and safety and human resources management activities. Ford’s privacy policy (available at www.ford.com.au) states how you can seek to access or correct any personal information Ford holds about you, how to complain about a privacy breach by Ford and how Ford will deal with a privacy complaint. You can contact Ford at 13 FORD (13 36 73) or via the contact details set out in Ford’s privacy policy