Structural Engineer

As a Structural Engineer at Solar Team Twente, you will be responsible for all loadbearing points of the car. Components may include the drivers crashbox, chassis, rollbar, battery mount, suspension connection, and also involve space constraints like the drivers seating. 

As Structural Engineer, you will be responsible for the main structure of the car and will therefore communicate a lot with other subgroups to ensure everything fits and is strong enough. Being a structural engineer you often have to think practical, your handiness will be required to make everything fit!

With the switch to the Rallye du Maroc a lot will change. Loadcases are expected to be significantly higher and for the first time a proper rollcage needs to be made. To do this, you will use tools like CAD and FEA to design and analyse the components.  During production you will be responsible for ensuring everything is made to your specifications and you will play a role in the assembly of the final car. 

As a structural engineer you'll be designing all structural parts of the car, like the drivers crash box and chassis. 


The experience of Chris

My name is Chris van den Brand and I was a Structural Engineer in the 2025 edition. Through Saxion, I came into contact with Solar Team Twente in my third year of studies. When I applied for the position of Structural Engineer, I had no idea what to expect. It was clear from week one that it would be an intense but exciting year. The big challenge of our edition was going to be the 2 month shorter production time. For a year, you work day in day out to build the best possible car. To have everyone pulling in the same direction as a team for a whole year is something you rarely experience! As Structural Engineers, Rick and I were responsible for designing, manufacturing, and assembling all the non-moving parts. The chassis and body presented the biggest challenges: "If it's not supposed to move, and it doesn't, I've done my job well." Two months before the race, I was told I was one of the drivers and I could drive our car during the race. I experienced many great moments and a fantastic race! The highlight for me was race day 3. I got to drive the longest stage of the race (almost 5 hours) with the subsequent stop, the most exciting of the race! After hours of tense competition against the solar team from Leuven, we finally pulled it off, clocking in one second faster!