Drivetrain Engineer

As the Drivetrain Engineer, you are responsible for converting electrical power into mechanical power in the most efficient way. You will be the one that makes the wheels spin through the desert sand. The drivetrain is one of the most multidisciplinary engineering roles in the team, due to the different influences of the related engineering domains. When designing the drivetrain, you will consider many aspects, such as the influences on the motor from wind and mechanical friction, weight balance and the influence of the type of electrical layout you will be using for motor design.

However, the drivetrain is not limited to the motor itself, as the motor also needs to be controlled using a motorcontroller. This also involves control and careful testing to make sure the drivetrain behaves as desired.

Since this position is central to the car and very multidisciplinary, collaboration is key. Together with your team, you will work to ensure the team has the same expectations, designs, and parameters in mind. Determining the right requirements, producing the parts and finally integrating the system into the car will have you working together with almost all other disciplines.

The experience of Bo

My name is Bo, and I was the drivetrain engineer for the Solar Team Twente 2025 team. Before becoming part of Solar Team Twente, I just finished my Electrical Engineering Bachelor. I always found the interface between electrical and mechanical engineering very interesting and that is why I wanted to become a drivetrain engineer.

During my year at Solar Team Twente, I learned how to come up with different tests by using electrical engineering and mechanical engineering knowledge. But also more practical things, like how to assemble an electrical motor such that it is the most efficient it could be. One of the most memorable moments I have had was taking apart and inspecting the motor in the middle of the Australian outback under a starry night sky. What I like the most was the system thinking that was required sometimes. Overall, I am happy with the role I chose, very multidisciplinary engineering, lots of communicating with different subteams, and ultimately being the one responsible for making the vehicle drive.