Top 5 Entry-Level Motorsports Jobs

Trying to find the right motorsports jobs can be challenging. The industry is diverse, so there are many different potential directions. 

It can be especially tricky when you are just getting started and do not have any contacts. However, you can best prepare yourself by figuring out exactly what types of jobs in motorsports fit your skills, background, and passion.

Here are five of the top entry-level motorsports jobs:

1. Shipping and receiving specialist
2. Design analysis engineer
3. Field sales representative
4. Electronics technician
5. Controls engineer

Entry-Level Jobs In Motorsports You Should Consider

Job #1. Shipping and receiving specialist

If you do not have a college degree, one entry-level option is working in a warehouse. Tasks will include shipping responsibilities, such as packing boxes, and receiving duties, such as opening packages and sorting their contents. Be aware that warehouses will typically have temperatures that fluctuate 50 degrees or more based on the season and the climate.

Typical qualifications for these motorsports jobs include the following:

• High school diploma or GED
• 18 years of age or older
• Ability to stand for long periods in the warehouse
• Must be able to read and write 
• Must be able to lift 50 pounds.

The average pay for these positions is $30,000 nationwide.

Job #2. Design analysis engineer

There are many motorsports jobs available for engineers since there is so much product development and manufacturing. One example is a design analysis engineer. In this position, you would need to have a firm handle on PDM systems and CAD software, as well as the general principles of applied computer-aided engineering (CAE). Core tasks of these positions would include simulation, data analysis, modeling, testing, and reporting, along with using the PDM and CAD systems for other design and release tasks.

Qualifications to land these jobs in motorsports include the following:

• BS degree in materials, mechanical, or aerospace engineering
• 1 to 3 years of experience conducting motorsports or similar research via application of finite methods analysis – although you can sometimes substitute academic projects on this topic for work experience
• 1 year or more of experience with a commercial CAD system
• 1 year or more of experience with a math programming language, such as C++ or Python
• 1 year or more of experience with a commercial FEA package.

Engineers in design analysis positions make an average of $84,000 nationwide.

Job #3. Field sales representative

As in any industry, there are always motorsports jobs available in sales. You improve the company’s sales by learning about potential customers’ needs and then informing them how the product can meet those needs. To succeed in this field or outside sales, you will need to excel at communicating by phone and in person. You must be proactive and driven. Chief tasks include: 

• acquiring new customers through meetings and trade shows, 
• maintaining customer records, 
• tracking sales, and 
• answering customer questions

Qualifications for sales positions generally include the following:

• High school diploma
• Valid driver’s license
• Availability for large amounts of travel.

The national average income for field or outside sales reps is $57,000.

Job #4. Electronics technician

Another of the most common entry-level motorsports jobs is electronics technician. This role often is closely supervised by an individual with a more advanced degree. Expect to have to be able to properly understand loom drawings, pin schedules, and engineering schematics. 

Qualifications for these positions will usually include the following:

• High school diploma
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office tools
• Strong communications skills both in writing and in verbal interaction with engineers and other technicians
• Ideally, some experience repairing, testing, or building electronic components.

These positions pay an average of $68,000 per year.

Job #5. Controls engineer

Many of the top jobs in motorsports are in engineering, so we will discuss one more example position. In this position, you will be supporting the design, development, and integration of electronics and vehicles. Depending on your employer, you may be working on the development of concept cars or prototypes.

Core qualifications to land these roles include the following:

• BS or MS in electrical, mechanical, aerospace, or automotive engineering
• Experience with mainstream software and simulation tools
• Vehicle troubleshooting experience
• Data acquisition experience.

Controls engineers make an average base salary of $78,000 nationally.

Motorsports Jobs and The Value of Networking

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