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Drag Racing Mechanic Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Aptera Motors

Aerodynamicist

Carlsbad, CA · On-site

$104.30K - $141.60K/yr

Drive continuous improvement - identify opportunities to reduce drag further or improve stability ... Competition background strongly preferred - SCCA road racing, SAE Supermileage, Formula SAE, or a ...

HADRIAN

Casting Engineering Specialist

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

Blow/shoot molds and cores, cope/drag/runner box systems, corebox tooling, 3D sand printing ... Degree in Materials Science, Metallurgical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent hands ...

Aerotek

Maintenance Technician

Goshen, CA

$70K - $90K/yr

Perform mechanical repairs on pumps, valves, and heat exchangers. * Conduct electrical repairs on ... Familiarity with industrial equipment such as screw conveyors, drag conveyors, and bucket elevators.

Mach Industries

Aerodynamicist

Huntington Beach, CA · On-site

$110K - $195K/yr

Own aerodynamic trade studies to optimize vehicle performance (drag, stability, control, efficiency ... Bachelor's or Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field ...

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Drag Racing Mechanic information

See California salary details

$12

$24

$36

How much do drag racing mechanic jobs pay per hour?

As of May 29, 2026, the average hourly pay for drag racing mechanic in California is $24.49, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.99 and $28.46 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a Drag Racing Mechanic job?

A Drag Racing Mechanic is responsible for maintaining, tuning, and repairing high-performance drag racing vehicles. They ensure that engines, transmissions, suspension systems, and other critical components are optimized for maximum speed and reliability. These mechanics work closely with drivers and racing teams to analyze performance data and make necessary adjustments. Their expertise in high-horsepower engines, fuel systems, and aerodynamics is essential for achieving top performance on the track.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Drag Racing Mechanic position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Drag Racing Mechanic, you need expert knowledge of high-performance engines, drivetrain systems, and racing safety protocols, often supported by automotive technician training or ASE certification. Familiarity with specialized diagnostic tools, data logging systems, and race preparation equipment is essential. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective teamwork are crucial soft skills in this fast-paced environment. These skills ensure reliable vehicle performance, quick troubleshooting, and safety during high-pressure race events.

What does a typical workday look like for a Drag Racing Mechanic?

A typical workday for a Drag Racing Mechanic involves inspecting and tuning race vehicles, conducting repairs and modifications as needed, and preparing cars for upcoming races. You’ll work closely with drivers, crew chiefs, and other team members to optimize performance and troubleshoot any mechanical issues that arise during testing or at the track. Days can be fast-paced, especially during race events, and may involve travel to various racing venues. Staying flexible and organized is important, as priorities can shift rapidly based on team needs and competition schedules.
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Drag Racing Mechanic jobs near you
Infographic showing various Drag Racing Mechanic job openings in California as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 80% Full Time, 15% Part Time, 3% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 100% Physical job distribution, with an average salary of $50,937 per year, or $24.5 per hour.
Aerodynamicist

Aerodynamicist

Aptera Motors

Carlsbad, CA • On-site

$104.30K - $141.60K/yr

Full-time

Posted 21 days ago

Job description

Aptera Motors
is dedicated to building a future where every journey is powered by the sun. We specialize in creating solar electric vehicles that revolutionize the way we travel, providing sustainable and efficient transportation solutions.
Company Culture
is built on transparency, ethical treatment of one another, a bias for action, and leading by example.
Title
Carlsbad, California | Engineering | Full-time
About the role
Aptera has already done the hard part: designing one of the most aerodynamically efficient vehicles ever built for public roads. Your job is to make sure it stays that way - through production, iteration, and every engineering decision that touches airflow.
This is a highly collaborative, detail-oriented role. You will be the aerodynamics conscience of the vehicle program - partnering daily with founders, the SVP of Engineering, and crossfunctional team leads to ensure that the low-drag, high-efficiency ethos is preserved at every stage of design and build.
What you'll do
  • Own aerodynamic integrity of the production vehicle. Review and approve (or flag) panel gaps, fit tolerances, surface changes, and design modifications before they ship, every millimeter matters.
  • Support engineering leads across body, chassis, thermal, and powertrain teams with aerodynamic trade-off analysis: drag vs. cooling, frontal area vs. cabin space, downforce vs. efficiency.
  • Leverage CFD intelligently - knowing when simulation is sufficient, when a wind tunnel is warranted, and when Tufts tape and a GoPro on a back road will tell you everything you need. Then go do it yourself.
  • Drive continuous improvement - identify opportunities to reduce drag further or improve stability with each product revision, keeping Aptera ahead of its own benchmarks.
  • Get your hands dirty - instrument the vehicle for aerodynamic measurement, apply clay modifications to test surface changes, run tuft visualization, and drive the vehicle yourself to collect data when needed. This is not a desk job.
  • Ensure stability compliance - confirm that all configurations meet managementdefined drag and stability requirements before sign-off.

Qualifications
  • Proven you can think rigorously about aerodynamics in a resource-constrained, highstakes environment.
  • Competition background strongly preferred - SCCA road racing, SAE Supermileage, Formula SAE, or a university solar car team (e.g., American Solar Challenge, World Solar Challenge). If you've stayed up until 2am arguing about a spoiler lip angle, you're an ideal candidate.
  • Hands-on CFD experience - STAR-CCM+, ANSYS Fluent, OpenFOAM, or similar.
  • Skilled to set up a simulation, but more importantly, you know when not to trust it.
  • Correlation with the real world - You know what to do when simulated results don't match wind tunnel results, and those don't match the track data.
  • Systems thinking - you can hold Cd, weight, battery range, thermal management, and manufacturing cost in your head at once and communicate the trade-offs clearly to non-aero engineers.
  • Execution focus - the vehicle exists. Your most important job isn't reimagining it; it's protecting what makes it extraordinary while helping it get better.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Competitive racing or solar vehicle program experience.
  • Familiarity with automotive surface modeling (CATIA, NX, SolidWorks).
  • Experience with pressure tap instrumentation, wake surveys, or flow visualization techniques.
  • Wind tunnel experience - academic or commercial - including instrumentation setup and data reduction.
  • Comfort with clay modeling and surface modification for rapid shape iteration.
  • Valid driver's license and genuine comfort behind the wheel of a test vehicle.

Team Structure
  • Individual contributor; collaborate with other teams and individuals, as necessary

Required Experience
  • Practical aerodynamic analysis experience: CFD, physical testing, or both.
  • Strong communicator - you can explain drag penalties to others without being condescending.

Educational Requirements
  • B.S. in Aerospace, Mechanical, or Automotive Engineering (or equivalent demonstrated experience)

Salary + Benefits
  • Market competitive compensation package
  • Stock option grants
  • Fully funded benefits package for employee + dependents
  • Generous Flexible Time Away policy

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