Formulation Scientist - Motorsports

Overview

Location: Lexington, KY, US, 40509

Company: Valvoline Global

Valvoline Global is a worldwide leader in automotive and industrial solutions, creating future-ready products and best-in-class services for partners around the globe. Established in 1866, we introduced the world’s first branded motor oil, claiming our position as The Original Motor Oil. As an affiliate of Aramco, one of the world’s largest integrated energy and chemicals companies, we continue to invest strategically and expand globally, driving unparalleled product innovation and sustainable business solutions.

Our corporate values of care, integrity, passion, unified, and excellence shape everything we do. Living out our values is what makes our company, our employees, our partners, our customers, and the communities we serve great. When you join Valvoline Global, you join a culture that is committed to: treating all people with care, operating with integrity, striving for excellence in everything we do, showing passion about delivering on our commitments, and being unified in all our enterprise endeavors.

Careers for the Driven

Valvoline has a rewarding opportunity as a Formulation Scientist-Motorsports. We adopt a ‘never idle' mindset and are looking for good people to join our team. You will have opportunities to use your skills and drive, with a great place to work, competitive salary and benefits, and resources to develop and advance within our global company.

The Formulation Scientist-Motorsports role focuses on the creation and continuous improvement of lubricants for Formula One power units and other motor sport engines to meet performance, reliability, and sanctioning body targets. The successful candidate will formulate lubricants from individual components without incorporating commercial additive packages. This role requires working with cross-functional teams to develop and refine lubricants supporting combustion engines, hybrid systems, and cooling elements to increase performance by deploying adjacent and/or cutting-edge technologies.

In alignment with strategic directives, this role will sponsor and conduct research at National Laboratories and Universities, using the data to design high performance lubricants and confirm performance with laboratory-based and on-track testing.

• Create new racing engine oil formulations from basic components without the use of commercial additive packages to increase engine performance and durability for F1, NASCAR, and other professional racing types.
• Design groundbreaking engine lubricants through laboratory-based testing and iterative product trials, ensuring lubricants meet stringent quality and effectiveness standards, often deploying new technology in the automotive space and continually improving performance.
• Lead product trials in collaboration with racing teams at events and during on-track tests, monitoring and refining lubricant formulations based on real-world performance data, analytical modeling, and first principles.
• Conduct research and lead studies to develop innovative lubrication solutions that enhance engine performance, durability, and efficiency in high-stress racing environments.
• Establish and grow a strong external network of collaborators in academia, government laboratories, suppliers, and the racing industry.
• Define trade secrets and patentable inventions, seeking intellectual property protection when applicable.
• Provide technical support to race teams, component suppliers, sanctioning bodies, etc., as required.
• Other duties and responsibilities as determined by Valvoline Global Operations from time to time in its sole discretion.

• Minimum B.S. in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering
• Direct experience in F1 racing engine oil and formulation
• Strong technical background in engineering fundamentals including lubrication, thermodynamics, heat transfer, and fluid mechanics
• 10+ years lab experience with 5-7 years’ experience in motorsports or relevant R&D activity
• Intellectual curiosity with a passion to explore and innovate for increased engine performance
• Familiarity with racing driveline hardware, fluid formulation, transmission…