R&D Programming Internship/Master Partnership

Denver, CO, USA
Job Type: Paid Internship or Partnership

To apply, please send and email to jobs@optimumg.com
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You may have heard the phrase, variety is the spice of life. That’s OptimumG. As an intern, you’ll notice the variety not only in your work, but also in the people. Our team is multiethnic and our client base is international – with series such as the World Endurance Challenge, American Le Mans Series, IndyCar, Australian V8 Supercars, Blancpain European GT Series, Argentinian Touring Cars 2000 and many more.

In 1997, our president and founder, Claude Rouelle, began OptimumG as a one-man, shop teaching vehicle dynamics seminars around the globe. OptimumG has now grown to become one of the world’s most sought-after racecar engineering firms – offering simulation software solutions, training seminars and consulting services.

Job Description and Responsibilities

OptimumG is looking for students who can perform their internship and/or thesis with us and work on different vehicle dynamics software development projects which will include some, or all of the following tasks:

  • Develop optimization codes in C++.
  • Develop libraries of mathematical tools in C++. That is, mathematical tools to compute Bode diagrams, Nyquist plots, Taylor series expansions, polynomial fitting etc.
  • Develop executable/.dll from MATLAB codes which can be plugged to .NET Framework languages like C#/VB.NET.
  • Re-program existing .NET Framework code in C++ for computationally expensive vehicle dynamic models, integration schemes, iterative solvers, and optimization algorithms.
  • Create realistic animations to visualize simulations. This includes development of realistic 3D visualizations of components like springs, dampers, bump stops, tires, front/rear wings, suspension linkages and more.
  • Develop foundational architecture for existing OptimumG software using SysML or UML.
  • Develop UML diagrams for mathematical methods like numerical integrators, iterative solvers, optimization algorithms.
  • Develop SysML diagrams of complex 4-wheel and 2-wheel vehicle models.
  • Develop SysML/UML diagrams of the framework which binds the vehicle model with mathematical methods.
  • Develop UML models for the graphical user interface of OptimumG software.
  • Prepare tire-models for real-time deployment.
  • Implement real-time capabilities in vehicle model for simulator deployment.
  • Implement hyper-threading to simulate different components of the vehicle model efficiently in a real-time environment.

    Internship Duration

    This internship is one year (or for the duration of the Master’s program), which long enough for you to be properly trained. We want you to learn as much as possible so you feel independent enough to take charge of interesting and challenging projects.

    General Skills

    You must:

    • Proactive and capable of working with little guidance.
    • Good problem-solving skills
    • Team player
    • Excellent oral and written English communication.

      Required Skills

      • Background in Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, Robotics, Mechatronics, Computer Science, or similar fields
      • Fluency in MATLAB, C++, C#, and using .NET Framework. (Previous experience with C++ is preferred)
      • Strong mathematical and/or physics background
      • Knowledge of object-oriented programming
      • Knowledge of System Modelling, SysML and/or UML
      • Exposure to real-time simulations or deployment of code in hardware
      • Basic knowledge of gradient-based/gradient-free optimization and dynamic simulations (having previous courses on these subjects is preferred)

      Benefits

      • Computer science/software development background.
      • Formula Student experience is an advantage but is not mandatory.
      • Knowledge of CAD software (SolidWorks, Siemens NX, CATIA etc)
      • Knowledge in programmatically creating 3D visualization of components and their animations.
      • Basic knowledge of longitudinal, lateral, and vertical vehicle dynamics

      The Specifics

      Housing is provided – affectionately dubbed “Le Chateau” – in a safe neighborhood just minutes from the office for an easy commute. And you get a company car. Your flight, moving, and visa expenses are all paid when you finish your internship.

      Tips for a Successful Application

      Stand out and impress us! Those items are key because there’s a lot of competition. Send us examples (as attachments to your application) of your work and experience and highlight your strengths.

      How to Apply

      • Send your resume and a cover letter highlighting your uniqueness. Describe your practical experience (both software and motorsports) and your theoretical knowledge/education. Share how your participation in OptimumG will benefit the company. And, don’t forget, send samples of your work (thesis, engineering report, CAD, spreadsheets, MATLAB scripts, etc.)
      • We are looking for a description of the jobs that your education and extra curricular experience have allowed you to complete satisfactorily.
      • We will confirm we’ve received your information and contact you if we’re interested.
      • If we are interested, you’ll give you a software coding test based on your skills and experience.
      • After that, we’ll schedule an interview.
      To apply, please send and email to jobs@optimumg.com
      Back to Careers
      “My first contact with OptimumG was attending one of their Applied Vehicle Dynamics Seminars. It was during this seminar I heard about and became interested in the OptimumG Internship Program and after completing my post-graduate studies I moved to Denver to work with OptimumG.

      Reflecting on my time with OptimumG, one of the most important take-aways was the immense increase in my understanding of the fundamentals of vehicle dynamics and tyre behaviour. A lot of my day-to-day was spent immersed in tyre/vehicle data, kinematics and simulation work which forced my fundamentals to become strong.

      I think every person that goes through an internship at OptimumG will have a unique experience depending on their interests, skills, effort and which projects are going on within the company at the time. I was fortunate to spend a lot of my time racing in both IMSA and WEC in a few different capacities. This not necessarily typical, but for me it was perfect as it’s what I’m passionate about.

      Another highlight for me was the chance to live in Denver which is a fantastic area and city to live in. If you’re interested in the outdoors, hiking, running, skiing and beautiful scenery in general then you would love this too.

      The experiences I had, the industry contacts I made and the friends that I still have to this day mean I look back fondly on my time with OptimumG. Without a doubt it opened many doors for me and I continue to reap the benefits of my time there every day. I would encourage anyone that is considering it to roll the dice and give it a go.”

      – Tim White, Performance Engineer for Tickford Racing in V8 Supercars

      “Doing the Internship was a life changing experience. It was brilliant, both from the technical and human side. It made me grow, it improved me as Race Engineer and it opened the door to an amazing Motorsport career which I could not achieved without Claude’s help. Absolutely recommended.”

      – Angel Baena, Head of Simulator Program, McLaren Racing

      “I first met Claude when I was studying mechanical engineering in Paris in the early 2000s. I decided to invest in his 3-days seminar on vehicle dynamics and data analysis. This was probably the best investment I have ever made as it gave me a very important and solid understanding of Motorsport Engineering principles, both theoretical and practical, that you could not acquire just by reading books. Following this seminar, I went to Denver to work with Claude for a 1-year internship working on all aspects of vehicle dynamics, Motorsport Engineering, and data analysis for a new 12-days seminar Claude was creating. This was a very valuable experience and my knowledge of Motorsport Engineering increased exponentially during this time. To this day, in my current job as a Race Engineer in F1, I am still mainly employing principles I learnt during this period. I can strongly recommend Claude’s seminar for anyone aspiring to have a career in Motorsport Engineering.”

      – Julien Simon-Chautemps, Senior Race Engineer for Kimi Raikkonen, Alfa Romeo Racing – F1 Team

      “I met Claude for the first time in 2000 in Paris as I attended his Vehicle Dynamics Seminar. Being still a student, I stayed in touch with him and later on I chose to complete my end of studies internship within OptimumG. Thinking about it now, this was probably the best start I could give to my racing career. Claude’s teaching skills made me understand very quickly and efficiently the basics of racing engineering. These notions learnt within OptimumG quickly became very sharp weapons to perform in the highly competitive world of international motorsport. Learning the basics and mostly understand how to apply them to solve practical problems on track is, to my point of view, what makes the difference when it comes to win races. I definitely recommend OptimumG for young and passionate engineers who wish to quickly fill up their racing engineering toolbox.”

      Renaud Dufour, Motorsport engineering consultant, Lead engineer – AMG team Black Falcon

      “My name is Carlos Caunedo, I’m an Argentinean mechanical engineer. In 2008, right after graduating from college, Claude gave me the opportunity to do an internship at OptimumG.

      I was very passionate about motorsport but had little experience in the Racing World.

      In OptimumG my main project was to develop and code the mathematical model for a vehicle dynamics simulation. OptimumG gave me the opportunity to follow the complete process between writing equations in a piece of paper and validating the simulation with real racecar information.

      I had access to information that I had only seen in text books. Tyre data, data acquisition files including tire loads and slip angle, aeromaps and all the information needed to run a successful simulation. For the first time I was able to understand and quantify how each parameter would modify the vehicle dynamics.

      After my internship I decided to go back to Argentina to work in motorsports. Thanks to the knowledge I acquired at OptimumG, I was able to develop in a short time a successful career in the Racing world.”

      – Carlos Caunedo created Caunedo Engineering who works for HH Timing as a developer

      FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

      What’s OptimumG all about?
      In short, OptimumG improves vehicle performance for the automotive and motorsport industries with software, training, and consulting. Our mission is to combine engineering and innovation to solve vehicle dynamics problems. We do this by emphasizing the importance of data because it reveals why certain factors in the vehicle affect the overall outcome, and it underscores the importance of physical realities over speculation or intuition. Please visit our About section for more information about the company.
      Where are former interns now?
      Many are fulltime OptimumG employees or they work with companies or series such as Lotus Formula 1, Aston Martin, Audi Sport, Nismo, Michelin Competition, and many more.
      How will an internship at OptimumG advance my professional networking?
      You’ll get exposure to several race series around the world including the European Le Mans Series, IMSA, IndyCar, World Endurance Championship, GT World Challenge America, and many more. Apart from racing, you’ll also work with well-known clients such as Goodyear, Hyundai, and many others. This exposure will give you plenty of opportunities to make contacts in the racing and automotive industries.
      What tasks will my work include?
      We offer rewarding, challenging, and relevant work to jumpstart your career. Tasks will include vehicle dynamics simulation projects and software coding for clients to create custom solutions or help teams be more effective at the track.
      Why does the internship last a year?
      This internship is one year, which is long enough for you to be properly trained. We want you to learn as much as possible so you feel independent enough to take charge of interesting and challenging projects.
      Why do you give an internship test?
      We want to evaluate your skills, determine your knowledge of vehicle dynamics and programming, and prepare you for the OptimumG expectations. We don’t expect you to know everything or get every question right. We do want you to demonstrate your skills to the best of your ability. And, of course, we want to understand if you’re a good fit. During the applications process, our engineers interact with applicants and share feedback and suggestions.
      What does the internship test entail?
      You can choose a test from OptimumG or approach us with your own idea. The test must effectively illustrate your skills in vehicle dynamics simulation and software programming. You will need to be able to create software that can be saved/loaded and define parameters, run simulations, and export/plot results.
      How long does the internship test take?
      Anywhere from a few weeks to a couple of months depending on your schedule. We want quality work, not quick work. We suggest taking enough time to do well and not try to impress us with speed.
      Is there a good time to apply?
      We suggest applying a few months before you’d be able to start to allow enough time for completing the internship test and hiring process. We prefer candidates with at least a bachelor’s degree who are available for a full year, but we will consider current students for a two-term co-op or internship. When applying, please make your availability clear.
      What kind of experience do you prefer an in applicant?
      We prefer some software coding experience and previous internship or work experience. It doesn’t necessarily have to be in motorsports, but we prefer interns who have some experience in the automotive industry. Experience in FSAE/FS/Baja or racing is a plus.
      Can my thesis be used as the base of my internship test?
      Yes, depending on the subject of your thesis.
      What are the living arrangements for interns?
      The interns live at a home owned by OptimumG. It’s affectionately dubbed “Le Chateau,” and is in a safe neighborhood just minutes from the office for an easy commute. It has four bedrooms and two bathrooms. It’s fully equipped with everything except food and beer.