Master's Thesis: Multi-Fidelity Propeller Optimization (all genders)

ERC System GmbH; Hohenbrunn; Hybrid; EUR 13,000 - 20,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working hours

Remote work

Competitive compensation

Subsidized lunch

Espresso coffee, fresh fruit

Team events

Job summary

eRC System GmbH seeks a Master’s student to join our Aerodynamics team for a six-month thesis on developing a multi-fidelity propeller optimization framework for our hybrid-electric eVTOL aircraft.

You will extend an automated propeller design workflow into a full optimization environment that blends fast BEMT predictions with high-fidelity CFD and aeroacoustics, supervised by our team and TUM chair.

Qualifications

• Student enrolled at TUM working towards a Master's degree.
• Familiarity with CAD and CFD software, ideally Siemens NX and Ansys Fluent.
• Foundational knowledge of aircraft and propulsion aerodynamics.
• Strong Python programming skills and ability to work independently.

Responsibilities

• Conduct literature review on propeller optimization methodologies.
• Familiarize with existing low- and high-fidelity design frameworks.
• Integrate aeroacoustics prediction methods (PSU-WOPWOP) into the low-fidelity framework.
• Develop multi-fidelity optimization framework combining frameworks.
• Update automated geometry generation, CFD execution, and post-processing into a unified workflow.
• Parametrize propeller design and perform optimization of a test eVTOL propeller.
• Generate pareto-front between efficiency and noise.
• Validate low-fidelity predictions against CFD references.
• Conduct optimization studies for representative flight conditions; assess convergence and cost.
• Document methodology and findings in final thesis report.

Skills

Python programming

Numerical methods

Optimization techniques

English communication

Education

Master's student at TUM

Tools

Siemens NX

Ansys Fluent

Job description

ABOUT THE ROLE

We are looking for a Master's student to join our growing Aerodynamics team and carry out a thesis project on the development of a multi-fidelity propeller optimization framework for our hybrid-electric eVTOL aircraft. You will help extend an existing automated propeller design workflow - covering geometry generation, meshing, CFD simulation and post-processing - into a full optimization environment that combines fast Blade Element Momentum Theory (BEMT) predictions, high-fidelity CFD, and aeroacoustics prediction. Your thesis will directly support propeller designs that perform efficiently across hover, transition and forward flight. The thesis takes around six months and is supervised jointly by our Aerodynamics team and the Chair of Aerodynamics and Fluid Mechanics at the Technical University of Munich (TUM).

WHAT YOU WILL DO

• Conduct a literature review on propeller optimization methodologies and multi-fidelity approaches
• Familiarize yourself with two existing frameworks for propeller design optimization: low-fidelity BEMT environment, automated CFD surrogate modeling-based optimization framework
• Integrate aeroacoustics prediction methods, in the form of PSU-WOPWOP, as part of the low-fidelity BEMT framework
• Develop methods and strategies to leverage both frameworks and incorporate them into a combined multi-fidelity optimization framework
• Revise and update the automated geometry generation, CFD simulation execution, and post-processing into a unified workflow
• In the process you will parametrize the propeller design and perform an optimization of a test case eVTOL propeller, generate the pareto-front between efficiency and noise
• Validate low-fidelity predictions against CFD reference solutions
• Conduct optimization studies for representative flight conditions, evaluating solution quality, computational cost and convergence
• Optionally: utilize surrogate models to incorporate feedback from high fidelity model to low fidelity model for improved optimization convergence and acceleration
• Document your methodology and findings in your final thesis report

WHAT YOU BRING

• Are a student of mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, physics or a comparable field, enrolled at TUM and working towards your Master's degree
• Bring familiarity with CAD and CFD software, ideally Siemens NX and Ansys Fluent
• Hold foundational knowledge of aircraft and propulsion aerodynamics
• Have basic knowledge of numerical methods and optimization techniques
• Have strong Python programming skills
• Are able to work independently and collaborate with a team
• Have good written and verbal communication skills in English
• Bring an interest in aeroacoustics and propeller noise prediction

Moreover, it would be helpful if you also

• have prior exposure to Blade Element Momentum Theory or other low-fidelity aerodynamic methods
• have experience with aeroacoustics prediction methods like PSU-WOPWOP
• have experience with HPC-based simulation workflows
• explore the use of surrogate models to accelerate convergence between fidelity levels

WHAT WE OFFER

• Full-scale aerospace engineering, not concept slides
• A 60+ engineer team at Ottobrunn
• Flexible working hours, remote work, and competitive compensation
• Health & wellbeing: subsidized lunch in our canteen
• Office extras: espresso coffee, fresh fruit, and soft drinks, plus regular team and company events, and plenty more once you're on board