At Atlassian Williams F1 Team, F1 quality engineering jobs are at the heart of our mission to create the winning formula. If you’re curious about how quality engineers shape race weekends and support car design, this is your inside look.
What are quality engineering jobs in Formula 1?
Quality engineering jobs in Formula 1 make sure every part and process meets the standards required for the track. While design and performance teams chase lap time, F1 quality engineering jobs create the framework that lets them push the boundaries and ensure compliance with FIA regulations.
That means turning complex data and investigations into clear actions. From root-cause analysis after a race weekend to refining how design data flows into manufacturing, quality engineers keep our systems robust so the car can keep evolving.
Mike Wagner, Senior Quality Engineer, sums up the impact on both racing and manufacturing sides of the team:
“In my role, I look after critical faults from a race weekend, including any major issue we’ve had. I then lead and coordinate the investigation. I define the problem, understand the root causes, and prescribe the preventative actions going forward. I’ll also do that from a manufacturing perspective and any major manufacturing quality concerns we’ve had. Then, from a more holistic level, I run projects on high level quality data and fixing fundamental quality concerns across the business.”
How F1 quality engineer jobs keep us fast and reliable
In a sport where margins are tight, F1 quality engineering jobs are about removing doubt. They make sure the car and its components are ready to perform, spotting risks early, and turning that learning into stronger processes across the whole team.
As Mike explains, quality engineering helps us on our journey of climbing up the grid:
“What I do helps the car go faster as we provide the framework for the rest of the business to be able to deliver components to the car correctly the first time. The role also takes away abnormalities from the race and manufacturing teams to allow them to fully focus on what they need to do without having to worry about repeated critical concerns.”
“In the quality department, we have a real impact on the rest of the business. We ensure the components that go out are at the highest possible level they can be. At the same time, when things go wrong, we’re there to make sure we deeply understand what the problem is so we can address them down to the root cause and get robust countermeasures in place.”
F1 quality engineering jobs at Williams
At Williams, there are a number of quality engineer jobs which work together to shape the future of our car and our working methods. It’s a role where our values of excellence and accountability come to life, as you take ownership of issues and help others do the same.
Senior quality engineer
Senior quality engineers lead the charge on critical faults and quality projects. They sit across operations, working with race, production, and procurement teams to drive continuous improvement. In this role, you’re expected to be:
- A technical expert in quality, inspection, and manufacturing processes
- Comfortable using root cause and failure mode analysis to solve problems
- Structured, self-motivated, and able to influence stakeholders under pressure
Design quality engineer
Design quality engineers live closer to the digital side of the car. They focus on how engineering data is created and shared across Vehicle Design and into operations. It’s a role for someone who enjoys spotting patterns in complex data and unleashing potential by helping others work smarter. Day to day, that can mean:
- Defining new engineering standards and design processes
- Improving CAD, PLM workflows, digital mock-up and document management
- Analysing data and spotting inconsistencies before they become real-world issues
- Supporting engineers so design outputs meet the needs of partner departments
Quality control inspectors
Composite quality control inspectors ensure our most complex parts are built exactly as intended. With carbon fibre components pushed to the limit in F1, this work is fundamental to safety and performance. The role is hands-on and a great route into more senior F1 quality engineering jobs over time. Inspectors typically:
- Apply knowledge of manufacturing methods to composite parts
- Use metrology tools, CMMs, arms, and surface testers to verify conformity
- Communicate clearly with designers and manufacturers when something is off
Design quality industrial placement
For students, our design quality industrial placement offers a first step into F1 quality engineering. It’s a chance to find your place in the team and build the skills needed for future quality engineering roles. Over 12 months, you’ll:
- Organise and manage design data and documentation
- Validate design releases in PLM systems
- Support process improvements between design and operations
Explore our early careers for more information.
Skills you need for F1 quality engineering jobs
So, what does it take to thrive in F1 quality engineering jobs? The exact profile varies by role, but there are core skills and qualifications we look for across the team:
- Strong understanding of manufacturing, inspection and quality processes
- Familiarity with problem-solving techniques like root cause and failure mode analysis
- Confidence with engineering data, from CAD and PLM to reports and dashboards
Quality engineers at Williams seek information, think flexibly, and strive to improve and on the mindset side, adaptability and dynamic thinking are essential. As Mike puts it:
“The key skills needed in this role come down to adaptability and being dynamic. Everyday, I’m working across a lot of different areas and at the drop of a hat I need to be ready to learn enough information on a topic I’m not an expert in in order to be able to understand the right approach and influence the project’s outcomes.”
Working as a quality engineer
The culture across all teams at Williams is supportive and high performing. We’re all pulling in the same direction, something that Mike has seen first-hand since joining the team:
“From the first day I’ve been here, Williams has been a very friendly environment, and the people are what make it special. Excellence is also on display every day, with top level performance that pushes boundaries as far as possible. I also see resilience when things don’t go quite right, as being resilient to push through and do what’s needed is key.”
How to start your journey into F1 quality engineer jobs
If you’re wondering how to break into F1 quality engineering jobs, there are a few ways to start. Focussing on engineering foundations, gaining hands-on experience, and understanding how quality tools and inspection methods work is key. Each step helps you build the skills and confidence you’ll need when an opportunity in F1 appears.
Most importantly, don’t rule yourself out before you’ve even applied. As Mike puts it:
“I think from the outside, you may think you have to have a certain level of experience to work in Formula 1, but the reality is slightly different. It’s about what you want to achieve and what you’re prepared to learn and develop day in and day out.”
“My advice to any prospective F1 quality engineers is to be persistent. If working in Formula 1 is what you want to do, the opportunity is there if you keep working hard and doing the right things.”
Read more: How to become an F1 engineer
Ready to create the winning formula in quality?
At Williams, quality engineering jobs are powering our transformation. If you’re driven by problem solving and helping us unleash the full potential of our people and our car, a quality engineering role at Williams could be where you find your place.
Explore our latest quality engineering jobs today or join our talent community.
