|Principal Systems Engineer|
|Executive Board Member|
|Advisory Board Member|
About
James Dornor is an award winning engineer who has been trailblazing for the ethnic minorities since breaking into Motor Sports in 2012. In 2017 he broken into F1 considered the pinnacle of motor sports. A role model to the current and next generation of engineer.
He was named in the UK's Top 100 Future Leader Role Moles by INvolve Empower two years running - 2023 & 2022.
He won Highly Commended in STEM 2022 by Evenfield's Black Talent Awards.
In July 2023 James was awarded the Points Of Light Award by the UK Prime Minster before the British GP. An outstanding and prestigious award for creating Driven By Us CIC
In 2022 James won Highly Commended in STEM 2022 by Black Talent Awards. He's also been named in the UK's Top 100 Future Leader Role Moles by INvolve Empower two years in a row 2022 & 2023.
An accolated of first for the industry is that he has founded Driven By Us which has gained club recognition status by Motorsport UK supporting allies of ethnic monitories, ethnic monitories & women in all areas of STEM from grassroots to elite F1, providing safe space and networking within the industry.
In July 2023 James was awarded the Points Of Light Award by the UK Prime Minster before the British GP. An outstanding and prestigious award for creating Driven By Us CIC
He is an qualified and serving STEM ambassador who is passionate about aspiring the next generation of engineers and community members believing any career is possible, through talks, discussions and interactive sessions.
In July 2022 he joined AFBE-UK Executive Board focusing on Industry Engagement (Subgroup) across the whole engineering sector bringing expertise and accessible to automotive and motorsport industries as my primary focus for the community.
He’s is an active mentor for a number of years to university engineering students via AFBE- UK mentoring group whom are on either placement or just starting their degree.
He’s an ED&I Champion and has shared his personal journey into the industry and being a inclusion advocate, focusing on mentoring the next generation on their pathway.
James' Career
April 2020 - April 2023
Electronics Support Engineer - Heritage @ Mercedes AMG
Responsible for maintaining all electronics and car systems on a range of Mercedes AMG F1 cars once they've entered retirement. Monitoring the health of the on-car electronics, controls and hydraulic systems while running and any post-analysis. Supporting young driver test events when required and assisting in factory chassis strips and installing heritage harnessing on chassis as technician and other heritage builds.
January 2018 - March 2020
Systems Support Engineer - McLaren Racing Ltd
Responsibility for factory & test car preparation of systems on F1 car before hand-over to race trackside team and for final software configuration and legality for running of the F1 car at test and race events in preparation at the factory. During race weekends support from mission control on race events. Finally assisting with additional logging preparation and fitment to Race and Test cars
October 2017 -January 2018
Systems Engineer - Haas F1
Responsibility for final software configuration and legality for running of the F1 car at test and race event at the track, configuring gearbox and chassis systems for optimal performance, liaising with race/performance engineers at the track and factory as necessary. Keen eye for fault diagnosis under pressure, of advanced control system issues using telemetry data including powertrain, hydraulics, fuel system etc. Identification, development and implementation of new control systems strategies to improve and exploit the performance of the race car, including race start with controls engineer.
November 2012 -October 2017
GT3 / GT4 Customer Support Engineer - McLaren GT
GT3 Customer Support Engineer – As customer support engineer for McLaren GT, this involves significant travelling around the world. The role requires accurate interpretation of engine data, detailed knowledge of embedded strategies that control the GT3 car, lead customer teams in resolution of technical issues on race weekends. The support role requires me to have an excellent understanding of embedded systems that control GT3 car which includes details knowledge and usage of ATLAS and System Monitor systems. Making adjustments to calibration parameters and control strategies to optimise performance alongside analysis and interpretation. Working and communicating effectively with the team manager and race engineer obtaining feedback from drivers to ensure best possible solutions.
GT4 – Systems Engineer – Responsible for vehicle performance and system architecture on GT4 race cars including engine system management on pre, during & post-race. Completing performance analysis of manufacture car and competitor cars throughout an event, also working on race strategy with race engineer. Maintaining systems engineer on test cars throughout the year to improve systems and engine performance. Known all CAN systems on GT4 cars, detailed knowledge of wiring diagrams across all models and problem resolution.
