Entwicklungsingenieur:in | F&E Physik & Simulation (m/w/d)

Research & Development Engineer (Deep Tech Startup)

About

Ecalia is a deep-tech startup from Stuttgart, rethinking heat pump technology. Our innovation is scroll compressor-expander systems that work with conventional refrigerants and bring the thermodynamic cycle closer to the optimum than any system currently available on the market. We are addressing one of the biggest levers for global energy efficiency, as heating and cooling consume almost half of the world's energy. We were recognized as one of the Top 10 most innovative tech startups in Germany (Weconomy Award 2025) and are working on our prototypes and test facilities at the Institute for Plastics Technology at the University of Stuttgart. We are a small, established team of currently 3 people. We are growing and value a diverse and highly motivated team. We aim to rethink existing business and development processes and gradually integrate AI tools into workflows, making them our primary work tool.

Responsibilities

You will take on part of the research and development work, currently carried out solely by our CTO, and elevate it to a new level through independent, AI-supported work. Specifically, this means:

• Conducting calculations: Design calculations for components, parameter studies, formula research and application for our compressor-expander systems.
• Designing: Creating and maintaining CAD models for components and test rigs.
• Modeling systems: Understanding what happens in our scroll machines and further developing our products using AI tools and physics. Calculating thermodynamic cycles, analyzing flows and structures, and building and validating physical models.
• Setting up simulations: Performing or setting up FEM and CFD analyses (OpenFoam, Nastran, ANSYS or similar).
• Planning and evaluating experiments: Systematically planning test rig experiments, analyzing measurement data, and interpreting results.
• Working with AI – truly: Using AI tools as a daily work tool for research, modeling, data analysis, and documentation. Not as a gimmick, but as a multiplier for your engineering work.
• Programming: Writing Python scripts for simulation, data analysis, and automation. Thinking in processes and creating workflows.
• Living quality: Working according to structured development processes, documenting results cleanly, and checking plausibility. For us, perfect means "adequate for the need," not "as good as possible."

You will work directly with the CTO and an experienced engineer for prototype construction. Your calculations will become real parts, your simulations real test rigs, and your models real product decisions.

Requirements

• Physics Foundation: Degree in Physics, Mechanical Engineering, or a comparable field – or equivalent professional experience with demonstrable depth in physics. You understand the physics behind the formulas and can derive new formulas from physical concepts.
• Programming Skills: Python, Javascript, or a similar programming language are mandatory. You think algorithmically and can independently develop tools and analyses.
• AI Competence: You use AI tools productively in your daily work – for research, calculation, documentation, and code. You proactively learn how to build agents, how to prompt to avoid hallucinations or self-confirmation, and when to trust AI and when not.
• Analytical Thinking: You question assumptions, think from first principles, and are not satisfied with "we've always done it this way."
• Eye for Detail: You work correctly and accurately and are proud of your work. Plausibility checks are self-evident to you.
• Striving for Development: You are reflective and constantly try to improve your way of working to reach your full potential.
• Fluent German (working language).
• ≥3 years of professional experience.

Would be nice to see:

• FEM/CFD experience (Nastran, ANSYS, OpenFOAM or similar).
• CAD competence (Autodesk Inventor or comparable).
• Experience with structured development processes (QMS, Systems Engineering, V-Model or similar).
• Knowledge of pressure equipment (Pressure Equipment Directive 2014/68/EU, design of seals and pressure resistance).
• Experience with an engineering service provider or innovation company with a broad range of tasks.
• Experiment planning and measurement data evaluation.

Nice to have:

• C++ or embedded experience.
• Experience with TesPy, SymPy, and NumPy.
• Knowledge in the field of HVAC or refrigeration technology.
• Material science, polymers, or tribology.
• Scientific work (publications, research projects).