MEET OUR WORKING STUDENTS

2025 / 03 / 14

FROM MECHANICAL ENGINEERING TO HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE

Jakob’s path into engineering began in Dorfen, where he completed his high school education before gaining his first industry experience through short internships. He spent eight weeks working in Manufacturing – five weeks with a company specialising in Conveyor Technology and three weeks with a firm focused on Plant Engineering. These experiences strengthened his interest in Mechanical Engineering, leading him to start a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering at the Technical University of Munich in 2020.

During his studies, Jakob looked for practical experience, joining BMW as a Working Student in the Combustion Engine Application team. Over the course of a year, he worked on optimising engine performance and gained valuable insights into the development processes of a major Automotive company. However, he wanted to expand his expertise into Electric Mobility, leading him to explore new opportunities in the field of Electric Vehicles.

JOINING DEEPDRIVE AND WORKING ON VEHICLE TESTING

Jakob had known about DeepDrive from its early days, thanks to his connections with Vincent, our Business Development Specialist, and Valentin, our Executive Assistant to the Co-CEO, who, like him, come from Dorfen. After researching the company further, he decided to apply for an internship in Testing and Validation. This six-month internship with us provided him with in-depth experience in Vehicle Testing, System Validation, and Test Coordination, ultimately leading to his transition into a Working Student role.

At DeepDrive, Jakob is responsible for coordinating the internal test alongside Francesco, our System Engineer, ensuring that the vehicle is ready for testing and costumer events. His role includes organising the efficiency tests and environmental test“ with the vehicle on test tracks and on the test benches, working with external service providers, and preparing for upcoming in-house tests. He is also actively involved in testing and validating DeepDrive’s core technologies, particularly focusing on Sealing Tests, Friction Tests, and other critical performance evaluations. Working closely with Gabriel, also our he supports the entire Vehicle Testing programme, ensuring all tests are executed efficiently and in alignment with project goals.

Beyond his direct responsibilities, Jakob appreciates the dynamic and collaborative work environment at DeepDrive. Moving from a large corporation to a smaller, fast-paced company has given him a new perspective on teamwork, problem-solving, and innovation.

LIFE OUTSIDE OF WORK

Jakob’s passion for the mountains is a defining part of his life. An experienced Ski Instructor, he has worked in Austria and continues to teach in his hometown of Dorfen. In recent years, his focus has shifted towards Ski Touring, where he enjoys hiking up mountains before skiing down in untouched snow. During the summer months, he swaps skis for hiking boots and a bicycle, spending as much time as possible exploring the outdoors.

He also enjoys participating in DeepDrive’s social activities, from team events to outdoor adventures with colleagues. The balance between technical challenges at work and time spent in nature is something Jakob values deeply.