After completing a BSc Industrial Design degree at Brunel University in 1995, he was appointed a Design Engineer role for Handford Racing Services Ltd, working on aerodynamic development of Newman-Haas Racing's Lola Indycars.
He then returned to the UK, entered Formula One with the Jordan Grand Prix team as Senior Aerodynamicist, until 2002 when Renault F1 hired him as a Senior Aerodynamicist, before his promotion to Deputy Head of Aerodynamics in 2003.
It is in this position that he was heavily involved in the back-to-back 2005/2006 World Championship wins.
[1] After 5 years in this position, he resigned at the beginning of May 2011, after Williams' troubled start to the 2011 Formula One season.
[2] In December 2022, Tomlinson joined Andretti Global to serve as Head of Aerodynamics for their upcoming Cadillac Formula One Team, which is set to enter the sport in 2026.