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Pioneering electric motor innovation for over two decades: Meet Valentin Unterfrauner
MEET OUR ENGINEERS
2025 / 01 / 24
Valentin’s career has focused on advanced engineering, driven by his keen passion for electric motor development and his ability to turn innovative ideas into practical products. A graduate of the Technical University of Munich, Valentin earned his Diploma in Mechanical Engineering, specialising in mechatronics—a field that was emerging at the time but is now integral to modern engineering.
His studies were international in scope, with exchange programmes in the United States and Italy. During his time in Texas, he expanded his mechatronic knowledge, and in Rome, he completed his thesis on mechatronic systems, combining theoretical innovation with practical application.
EARLY CAREER AND LSP
Valentin began his career at LSP in 2004, a start-up focused on innovative electric motor topologies. He joined when the company had just five employees and contributed significantly to its growth, helping it expand to 40 employees and becoming its Head of Technical Development.
At LSP, Valentin gained valuable experience working in a small, collaborative environment where every team member’s contributions were vital. The company’s focus was on creating highly innovative products and persuading larger firms like Continental, Bosch, and ZF to adopt these ideas for mass production.
TRANSITION TO COMPACT DYNAMICS
In 2021, Valentin joined Compact Dynamics, a subsidiary of Schaeffler. This company of around 90 employees specialised in high-performance electric motors for motorsport, aviation, and small-scale automotive applications.
Valentin’s role was to adapt existing serial production components from Schaeffler for small-scale projects, such as producing 5,000 units annually. This required balancing innovation with practicality, ensuring that the motors met rigorous automotive validation standards while remaining cost-effective. His work provided him with deep insights into the complexities of automotive development processes, from design and simulation to validation and customer application.
JOINING DEEPDRIVE
In 2024, Valentin joined DeepDrive, bringing with him over 20 years of experience in electric motor development. His decision to join was driven by our innovative approach and ambitious goals. He first learned about the company during his time at Compact Dynamics and was impressed by our public presence and revolutionary motor concept. Encouraged by recommendations from industry colleagues, Valentin saw DeepDrive as an opportunity to contribute to a project with enormous potential.
Valentin now leads the development of DeepDrive’s stator—the most innovative component of the company’s motor technology. His work focuses on addressing key aspects such as high-voltage insulation, thermal connectivity, mechanical robustness, and cost efficiency, all while ensuring the stator design is suitable for serial production.
His role requires collaboration with multiple departments, including System Design, Production, and Thermal Simulation, reflecting his interdisciplinary expertise. Valentin appreciates the close-knit, collaborative environment at DeepDrive, which mirrors the innovative spirit he experienced at LSP and Compact Dynamics.
A CAREER BUILT ON INNOVATION AND IMPACT
Throughout his career, Valentin has been driven by the goal of turning innovative ideas into products that make a real-world impact. He believes that success is not just about creating smart solutions but also about bringing them to market and seeing them adopted at scale. For him, the ultimate reward is seeing his contributions on the road, where it can make a difference in people’s lives.
LIFE OUTSIDE OF WORK
When he’s not driving innovation at DeepDrive, Valentin enjoys spending quality time with his family, as well as immersing himself in nature. His favourite pastime is ski mountaineering—climbing mountains in winter with a small group of friends and skiing down through untouched snow. He also enjoys hiking and exploring the outdoors, valuing the balance that these activities bring to his life.
Valentin values a positive work environment where challenges are met with teamwork and mutual respect. He believes in celebrating achievements and approaching problems with a solutions-oriented mindset. For him, work is not just about delivering results but also about creating a space where people feel connected, supported, and motivated.