General Motors has begun an active recruitment campaign for its Cadillac F1 power unit project, targeting a broad range of positions to support the development and production of its new Formula 1 engine. This effort is part of GM’s plan to supply its own power units starting in the 2029 season, after initially running as a customer team using Ferrari engines.
As the parent company of Cadillac, GM established GM Performance Power Units earlier this year to focus specifically on the engineering and manufacturing of F1 powertrains. The company is setting up a dedicated facility near GM’s Charlotte Technical Centre, with operations expected to launch by 2026. The plant will be located in Concord, North Carolina, an important hub in the Charlotte metropolitan region.
Key Roles Sought for High-Performance Motorsport Engineering
The recruitment drive includes critical technical and management roles such as project manager lead, ERS (Energy Recovery Systems) chief engineer, ERS systems engineer, performance engineer manager, and a 3D CFD lead engineer. These positions will help steer the design, development, and testing of Cadillac’s power unit as GM commits to creating a competitive and innovative team in Formula 1.
In addition to engineering jobs, GM is also hiring for support positions including facilities manager, health and safety engineer, IT staff, and accounting professionals. Overall, about 40 roles have been advertised at the team’s main base near Silverstone in the UK, along with a smaller number of jobs in Fishers, Indiana.
You will orchestrate complex projects from concept to track, coordinating cross-functional teams and ensuring that our power unit development meets the demanding pace and precision of elite motorsport.
—Job posting for Project Manager Lead
Partnerships and Leadership Fueling the Program’s Growth
Cadillac’s F1 project is being developed in collaboration with TWG Motorsports, led by Graeme Lowdon, with the goal of evolving into a full factory team by 2029. Initially, the team will run Ferrari power units before transitioning to GM’s in-house technology. Russ O’Blenes, GM’s Director of Motorsports Propulsion and Performance, serves as CEO of GM Performance Power Units, bringing over 30 years of racing expertise to the initiative.
I am truly excited to have the opportunity to build and lead the team that will bring an American-built F1 power unit to the grid. GM PPU is currently ramping up its team and is hiring in all areas of the business,
said O’Blenes upon his appointment.
We’re delighted to welcome Russ to this pivotal role,
added Dan Towriss, CEO of TWG Motorsports, regarding O’Blenes’ leadership.
Towriss emphasized the importance of this leadership by adding,
His expertise and leadership will be instrumental as we lay the foundation for Cadillac’s Formula 1 journey.
Together with Team Principal Graeme Lowdon, the two will guide the team in pursuing excellence and innovation within the sport.
Regulatory Approval and Industry Support Mark a Milestone
In April, the FIA officially approved GM as a power unit supplier starting in 2029, signaling a new era for Cadillac’s Formula 1 ambitions. FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem welcomed the move, highlighting the value of expanding manufacturer participation in the sport.
Welcoming GM Performance Power Units LLC. as an approved power unit supplier for the Championship starting in 2029 marks another step in the global expansion of Formula 1 and highlights the growing interest from world-class automotive manufacturers like General Motors,
Sulayem stated.
He also noted the alignment between GM’s focus on innovation and sustainability and the FIA’s broader goals.
Their dedication to innovation, sustainability, and competition is fully aligned with the FIA’s vision for the future of our sport.
It also strengthens our commitment to making motorsport more accessible and inclusive worldwide – welcoming new manufacturers, advancing technology, and connecting with a broader, more diverse fan base.
Broader F1 Landscape and Future Prospects
Cadillac’s recruitment initiative mirrors similar hiring surges across Formula 1, with teams like Williams and Red Bull also expanding their workforce in preparation for upcoming seasons. Williams currently seeks 48 new team members, while Red Bull has around 60 open positions, reflecting the sport’s growth and increasing technical demands.
GM’s focus on assembling a skilled, multidisciplinary team at both its U.S. and UK locations underscores the company’s commitment to competing at the highest level in Formula 1. With the facility in Concord slated to be operational by 2026 and prototype engine development already underway, Cadillac’s entry into the sport as a power unit manufacturer could reshape the competitive landscape by the end of the decade.