Data Science Manager - Motorsports

Job Description

Workplace Classification:

Hybrid: This position does not require an employee to be on-site full-time to perform most effectively. This position requires an employee to be onsite up to 3 times per week, with flexible schedule for periodic race weekend remote support.

GM Motorsports Software Engineering is looking to expand its motorsports data science and analytics group. GM Motorsports is currently racing in NASCAR, IndyCar, IMSA and is currently pursuing an entry into Formula 1.

The Team:
GM’s Motorsports Software team analyzes, defines, and delivers next generation groundbreaking Motorsports IT software solutions. Using both innovative cloud-based infrastructure and software development standards, these solutions enable innovative interactions between GM Global Engineering, GM Motorsports, and our Race teams that accelerate our drivers to the finish line first! Our combined team of analysts, architects, developers, data engineers, testers, and project managers work with GM Motorsports Engineering and Race teams to ensure podium wins for GM’s NASCAR, IndyCar, and IMSA sportscar teams!

The Role:

In this Data Science Manager role, you will have the opportunity to work hands-on with our product, full stack development and data engineering teams to develop solutions for strategic & analytic tools. As the Data Science Manager, you will be responsible for leading, mentoring, and developing a high-performing team of data scientists while ensuring alignment with GM’s strategic objectives. In addition to technical expertise, you will be expected to demonstrate exceptional leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.

This is an opportunity to lead by example, cultivate a collaborative culture, and guide your team through complex, data-driven projects to deliver impactful results for our race teams.  The team is responsible for both advanced analytics strategy and applied, project-based solutions, focusing on applying machine learning and artificial intelligence techniques to address specific needs of our internal software and engineering partners, and GM key partner race teams. Additionally, you will drive development activities in accordance with appropriate methodologies to deliver tactical and strategic value each week to make a podium difference.

Responsibilities Include

• Team Leadership & Development: Lead, mentor, and inspire a team of data scientists, fostering a culture of collaboration, continuous learning, and professional growth. Provide guidance and constructive feedback to help individuals thrive and reach their full potential.
• Strategic Vision & Solution Development: Drive the development of data-driven strategies and solutions that address complex business problems. Engage with key stakeholders across technical and non-technical teams to ensure alignment with business goals and prioritize initiatives that maximize impact.
• Collaboration & Cross-Functional Engagement: Cultivate strong relationships with cross-functional teams to ensure smooth execution of projects and the effective delivery of data solutions. Facilitate clear communication between technical teams and stakeholders, translating complex data insights into actionable recommendations.
• Innovation & Technical Leadership: Lead the application of advanced machine learning, AI, and predictive analytics techniques to drive race team performance. Encourage your team to experiment with new approaches, continuously improve existing models, and push the boundaries of what’s possible.
• Decision-Making & Problem Solving: Provide strategic direction in the development and optimization of predictive models, ensuring they meet race team needs and align with overall business objectives. Leverage your strong problem-solving abilities to navigate challenges and make informed, data-driven decisions.
• Data Visualization & Communication: Ensure that complex data insights are clearly communicated to both technical and non-technical stakeholders through effective data visualization techniques. Tailor your communication style to your audience, ensuring clarity, understanding, and buy-in.

Additional Job Description

What You'll Need (Required Qualifications):

• Educational Background: A degree in Data Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Computer Science, or a related field.
• Advanced Analytical Skills: Deep expertise in data science methodologies, including machine learning, statistical modeling, and data visualization. Familiarity with predictive modeling, time series analysis, and optimization techniques used in motorsports or high-performance industries.
• Technical Proficiency: Proficient in programming languages such as Python, R, or similar, with experience using machine learning libraries (e.g., TensorFlow, Scikit-Learn) and data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI).

People Skills:

• Collaboration & Communication: Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to present technical findings to both technical and non-technical audiences. Able to engage with key stakeholders to ensure alignment and drive cross-functional collaboration.
• Problem Solving & Decision Making: Strong analytical and critical thinking skills, with a proven ability to solve complex problems and make data-driven decisions under pressure.
• Leadership: Ability to manage a team of data scientists, analysts, or engineers, with a focus on delivering data-driven results and fostering a collaborative, innovative team culture.

What Will Give You A Competitive Edge (Preferred Qualifications):

• Advanced degree (Masters or PhD)
• Experience working in a high-performance or real-time decision-making environment
• Previous experience in motorsports, while not mandatory, a strong understanding of motorsports and race strategy will be highly valued.
• Experience with cloud platforms like Azure, AWS, or Google Cloud, and big data tools like Hadoop and Spark.
• Familiarity with software development practices, version control (e.g., Git), and containerization tools like Docker or Kubernetes. 

GM DOES NOT PROVIDE IMMIGRATION-RELATED SPONSORSHIP FOR THIS ROLE. PLEASE DO NOT APPLY FOR THIS ROLE IF YOU WILL NEED GM IMMIGRATION SPONSORSHIP (e.g., H-1B, TN, STEM OPT, etc.) NOW OR IN THE FUTURE.

•This job may be eligible for relocation benefits.

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About GM

Our vision is a world with Zero Crashes, Zero Emissions and Zero Congestion and we embrace the responsibility to lead the change that will make our world better, safer and more equitable for all.

Why Join Us 

We aspire to be the most inclusive company in the world. We believe we all must make a choice every day – individually and collectively – to drive meaningful change through our words, our deeds and our culture. Our Work Appropriately philosophy supports our foundation of inclusion and provides employees the flexibility to work where they can have the greatest impact on achieving our goals, dependent on role needs. Every day, we want every employee, no matter their background, ethnicity, preferences, or location, to feel they belong to one General Motors team.

Benefits Overview

The goal of the General Motors total rewards program is to support the health and well-being of you and your family. Our comprehensive compensation plan incudes, the following benefits, in addition to many others:
• Paid time off including vacation days, holidays, and parental leave for mothers, fathers and adoptive parents;
• Healthcare (including a triple tax advantaged health savings account and wellness incentive), dental, vision and life insurance plans to cover you and your family;
• Company and matching contributions to 401K savings plan to help you save for retirement;
• Global recognition program for peers and leaders to recognize and be recognized for results and behaviors that reflect our company values; 
• Tuition assistance and student loan refinancing;
• Discount on GM vehicles for you, your family and friends.

Diversity Information

General Motors is committed to being a workplace that is not only free of discrimination, but one that genuinely fosters inclusion and belonging. We strongly believe that workforce diversity creates an environment in which our employees can thrive and develop better products for our customers.   We understand and embrace the variety through which people gain experiences whether through professional, personal, educational, or volunteer opportunities. GM is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.

We encourage interested candidates to review the key responsibilities and qualifications and apply for any positions that match your skills and capabilities.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statements

GM is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local fair employment practices laws. GM is committed to providing a work environment free from unlawful discrimination and advancing equal employment opportunities for all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, all practices and decisions relating to terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, recruiting, hiring, training, promotion, discipline, compensation, benefits, and termination of employment are made without regard to an individual's protected characteristics. For purposes of this policy, “protected characteristics" include an individual's actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, lactation and related medical conditions), gender identity or gender expression, sexual orientation, weight, height, marital status, military service and veteran status, physical or mental disability, protected medical condition as defined by applicable state or local law, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws and ordinances.  If you need a reasonable accommodation to assist with your job search or application for employment, email us at Careers.Accommodations@GM.com or call us at 800-865-7580. In your email, please include a description of the specific accommodation you are requesting as well as the job title and requisition number of the position for which you are applying.​