Engineering Cybernetics - Bachelor's study program

In my job, I work on the development of drive systems for the sports cars of the future. For this, I often rely on the system dynamics and control engineering knowledge I gained during my studies in Engineering Cybernetics. Due to the increasing importance of calculation and simulation in vehicle development, this knowledge is becoming even more valuable. In addition, the interdisciplinary focus of the program helps me quickly grasp new subject areas – for example, I extend my methods for data analytics projects with techniques from machine learning.

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For Bosch eBike Systems, I develop software that improves bicycle behavior through precise control of the electric motor. For this purpose, the onboard computer analyzes sensor data on the current status of the electric motor and the eBike and integrates it. What I appreciate about my work is that it doesn’t only take place in front of a computer: I can calculate things with pen and paper, but I also conduct tests in the lab and on the bike.

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I work at Festo, an international company specializing in automation technology. I use control algorithms to define how and when something moves in our products. My work required a deep understanding of systems and solid mathematical methods to solve technical problems and challenges both through simulation and on the real system. I enjoy diving into an analysis and working together as a team to find creative solutions.

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During my Master's, I decided to spend the final semester at the University of Stockholm. I wrote my Master's thesis there. After completing my studies, I stayed in Sweden with a service provider in the automotive sector. The software skills I acquired in Matlab and Simulink, as well as my knowledge of control engineering, were crucial for this first job. Since then, my professional development has consistently been in the direction of safety-critical systems and embedded systems. This refers to electronic systems that could pose a danger to people in the event of a failure, such as functions for automated driving or ventilators.

In my studies, I learned that two things are extremely important when overcoming challenges. Firstly, it is important to be able to apply acquired knowledge to new problems. Secondly, exams and projects are best tackled as a team: By combining diverse approaches, you can develop solutions together. The experience gained from my studies, prepared me perfectly for my job as a development engineer. Together with colleagues from various disciplines, I work to find solutions for the new challenges in the field of automated driving. 

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I work in development in the field of automatic parking maneuvers. In doing so, I focus on the question of when and how the car must steer to safely fit into the parking space. This can usually be derived using mathematical methods. In retrospect, the cybernetics program was exactly the right choice for this field of work. It is very rewarding when the car parks exactly as it was taught.

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My work involves developing autopilot systems for helicopters. Together with colleagues at the Marignane site in southern France, we develop autopilot systems for our helicopter product range and provide technical support for these systems during later operation. Our customers use our products for a wide range of applications. This results in a very diverse field of work. In our department, we work as a team to develop technical concepts and implement them in simulation environments, demonstrators, prototypes and series products. We specify requirements for devices and systems, develop software and hardware, test and release our systems for flight tests. High safety standards and the multitude of interfaces and disciplines I deal with are what make this job so appealing to me. When you test the results of your work in the simulator, experience it in flight yourself, or admire it from the ground together with the pilot – who has just gotten out of the aircraft before takeoff – are always particularly special.

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My job title includes the term "Business Development", which initially sounds like a lot of business administration. But as a "product manager" for innovative technology ideas, I'm responsible for a variety of topics. One such idea is, for example, "predictive maintenance" for cables, i.e., the proactive maintenance of cables in industrial machines and systems. My tasks in this area include developing prototypes, testing the idea with pilot customers, and also developing business models. This has a lot to do with engineering cybernetics because I need the ability to quickly and purposefully abstract market-relevant facts and technical relationships in my daily work. Knowledge of thermodynamics, mechanical engineering, or electrical engineering helps me to quickly understand new ideas. 

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