Working student: R&D | High-tech compressor startup

Role Summary

You don't just want to calculate practice problems, but you want to see how an idea becomes a component and a component becomes an experiment?

At Ecalia, you will work on real-world tasks related to scroll compressors — compact compressors with interlocking spirals — as well as refrigeration and heat pump technology. You examine clearly defined technical questions, develop solutions under review and see how your results are incorporated into CAD models, prototypes or test bench tests.

We don't expect you to be a fully-fledged development engineer. We are looking for a person with a good technical background, willingness to learn and care, who wants to grow through real product development.

Ecalia is a deep tech startup from Stuttgart. We develop scroll compressor expander systems that are intended to make heating and cooling systems significantly more efficient. To do this, we combine physics, mechanical engineering, experiments and AI-supported development work. We work directly on our prototypes and test systems at the Institute for Plastics Technology at the University of Stuttgart.

Start: from November 2026

Scope: min. 15 hours/week, on site in Stuttgart-South

Please also write

from when you can start.

How many hours you can realistically work per semester.

on which days you can regularly be in Stuttgart.

which examination phase, thesis or other obligation affects your availability.

A classic cover letter is not necessary. We want to understand how you think, learn and work.

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Responsibilities

You don't come in with responsibility for an entire compressor system. Together we choose a focus that fits your previous knowledge and use it to create clear development packages.

This can specifically mean

• Process technical questions: understand requirements, record assumptions, compare solutions and check the plausibility of results.
• Carry out calculations and parameter studies: Edit small designs or physical models using manual calculations, Python or suitable simulation tools.
• Co-develop in CAD: Model components or assemblies and improve them for production under review, for example with Autodesk Inventor.
• Prepare tests and evaluate data: Process measurement plans, data sets and test results in a structured manner and derive next steps from them.
• Using AI as an engineering tool: For research, calculations, code and documentation - with critical review instead of blind acceptance.
• Document them in a comprehensible way: Store assumptions, decisions and results in such a way that others in the team can continue to work with them.
• Learn in the workshop and test bench: Understand how a calculation becomes a real component and what feedback practice gives to the design.
• You will be accompanied by our CTO and our prototype construction engineer. As your security increases, the independence of your tasks can also increase.

Requirements

You need that

• You study mechanical engineering, energy technology, physics, mechatronics or a comparable technical subject.
• You understand technical and physical principles and want to know why a solution works - not just what result a tool produces.
• You have initial practical experience in at least one area: CAD/design, technical calculation/Python or testing/measurement data. University projects, Formula Student, internships, training or your own projects explicitly count.
• You work carefully and can record assumptions, calculation methods and decisions in a comprehensible manner.
• You take feedback, ask questions when things are unclear and communicate early if a commitment or deadline is at risk.
• You want to use AI productively and are willing to critically examine its results.
• You speak German fluently.
• You are enrolled during the activity and can reliably plan at least 15 hours per week on site in Stuttgart-South from November 2026.

That would be a plus

• Experience with Autodesk Inventor or comparable CAD software.
• Python as well as libraries such as NumPy, SymPy, CoolProp or TesPy.
• Basics in thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, strength of materials or refrigeration technology.
• First contact with experimental planning, measurement data evaluation or systems engineering.
• Interested in compressors, heat pumps, pressure equipment or sustainable energy technology.
• You don't have to bring all of it with you. It is more important to us that you show a solid foundation in one area and want to develop into the others.

Benefits

• Real product development: Your work doesn’t end with a presentation. Results can flow into CAD, prototypes and test bench tests.
• Personal technical review: You work directly with our CTO and our prototype construction engineer and receive concrete feedback on your work.
• Clear learning path: We start with a manageable development package and expand responsibility according to your progress.
• AI-first way of working: You will learn to use AI productively and responsibly in research, calculations, code and documentation.
• Short distances: In our small team you can see technical decisions, workshops and company structure up close.
• Flexibility with commitment: At least 15 hours per week; We plan work and examination phases together at an early stage. Since you work on real components, test benches and tests, the work takes place on site in Stuttgart-South.
• Framework data
• Location: Stuttgart-South.
• Working model: Working student position, at least 15 hours per week.
• Start: From November 2026.
• Duration: Initially for one semester, with an option to extend.
• Interest?

Send us your CV and briefly tell us about a technical project you worked on yourself. This can come from your studies, Formula Student, an internship, training or your own project. We are interested in:

1. What was the technical problem?
2. What was your own contribution?
3. How did you do it and what would you do differently today?