Master´s thesis (f/m/x): Methodology for Conceptual Design of Energy Systems in Rail Vehicles

What to expect

At DLR, we are revolutionizing rural mobility by developing a lightweight, autonomous, battery-electric rail vehicle to drive sustainable, climate-friendly transport. You will spearhead the creation of a methodology to optimize this vehicle's energy system, selecting the ideal cell chemistries and geometries to minimize mass while maximizing performance. Your role extends to designing and integrating critical "roof equipment" components, including coolers, inverters, and HVAC systems, into a cohesive, space-efficient package. Crucially, you will ensure this design outputs formats compatible with both Finite Element Analysis and energy simulations, enabling rapid, data-driven comparisons of different vehicle configurations. Join us to build the tools that will define the future of efficient, eco-friendly rail travel!

Your tasks

• Survey of state-of-the-art energy systems and components as well as rail vehicle design
• Generate database with different cell chemistries sand geometries
• Program method to assemble battery packs
• Program method to assemble energy systems including additional components
• Build system to enable derivation creation and comparison
• Process data for FEA and energy balance simulations

Your profile

• Education: Currently pursuing or completed degree in Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, Energy Systems, Aerospace Engineering, or similar.
• Soft Skills: Independent work style, creative thinking, and commitment.
• Domain Knowledge: Basic knowledge of rail vehicle engineering and traction systems.
• Technical Skills: Experience with CAD tools (e.g., CATIA V5) and Python programming