Work environment

Do you want to help shape the future of vehicle manufacturing? Then join us in developing innovative solutions for highly functional assemblies in Technical Development at Volkswagen Braunschweig. Here, we create structural components for the front and rear axles, such as subframes, control arms and steering knuckles. Our goal is to develop the best components in their respective classes by balancing technical properties, manufacturability, weight, and costs. One of our key tasks is the application and further development of simulation and optimization methods. Our proprietary structural optimization software includes methods for topology, shape, and parameter optimization, and it automatically generates CAD models from the optimization results. These methods enable the generative design of lightweight and resource-efficient components in a very short time and are already being used company-wide beyond chassis components. You will work in an interdisciplinary team in the fields of design, simulation, and software development. Expertise from mechanical engineering is combined with modern approaches from computer science and mathematics to create new computer-based methods for automated component design. In the areas of chassis, body, battery system, and interior, the use of large, geometrically complex, and highly functional cast components made of aluminum or plastic offers great potential for saving weight and manufacturing time. Steel welded assemblies offer a good cost point and CO₂ footprint. To best exploit these potentials, new methods for topology and shape optimization are to be developed and applied as part of a doctoral thesis.

Possible Tasks within this Role

• Conducting literature research
• Developing methods for the efficient optimization of large components while considering manufacturing constraints
• Implementing the methods into the internal structural optimization software LEOPARD
• Validating the methods on academic and industrial components

The final doctoral topic is defined together with the professor. The prerequisite for the cooperation is the confirmation of supervision as well as a confirmed delimitation of topics by the professor of a university or research institution entitled to confer a doctorate.

Qualification requirements

• Good to very good university degree in mechanical engineering, vehicle engineering, mechatronics, computer science, or a comparable qualification giving access to doctoral studies
• Knowledge in the areas of structural optimization, FEM simulation, digital geometry processing, and software development
• Programming skills, especially in C++ and Python
• German and English language level B1
   

Keywords

Generative Design, CAD Software, Finite Element Method, Optimization Algorithms, Lightweight Design, Sustainability, Product Development, Design Methods, Prototype Development, Simulation Techniques