Bachelor's or Master's thesis in the field of mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, etc. Job Details

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Bachelor's or Master's thesis in the field of mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, etc.

Job Description

Req ID: 5996

Place of work: Oberpfaffenhofen

Starting date: 01.12.2026

Career level: Student research project and final thesis

Type of employment: Part time, Full-time

Duration of contract: 3 - 6 months

Remuneration: Remuneration is in accordance with the Collective Agreement for the Public Sector - Federal Government (TVöD-Bund)

Enter the fascinating world of the German Aerospace Center (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e. V.; DLR) and help shape the future through research and innovation! We offer an exciting and inspiring working environment driven by the expertise and curiosity of our 12,000 employees from 100 nations and our unique infrastructure. Together, we develop sustainable technologies and thus contribute to finding solutions to global challenges. Would you like to join us in addressing this major future challenge? Then this is your place!

The DLR Institute of Communications and Navigation is dedicated to mission-oriented research in selected areas of communications and navigation. Its work ranges from the theoretical foundations to the demonstration of new procedures and systems in a real environment and is embedded in DLR's Space, Aeronautics, Transport, Security and Digitalization programmes.

What to expect

Optical free-space communication systems are a rapidly growing area in research and industry. The development, testing and implementation of new future concepts, particularly in the direction of quantum key distribution and new secure communication and data transmission options, are core tasks of the Optical Satellite Links department. The Optical Ground Station Technologies group at the Institute of Communications and Navigation is responsible for the support and further development of optical ground stations for experiments with laser communication in the air, in space and on land. We are able to establish high-speed optical downlinks between airplanes, satellites and the earth.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6eecJqy_89I
To expand our capabilities to carry out future laser communication projects, we are looking for a student to research with us on future optical ground stations.
In the frame of a Bachelor-/Master-Thesis a concept study of a new optical ground station shall be investigated.

Your tasks

Investigation and description of existing concepts for optical ground stations
Preparation of a feasibility study
Preparation of a conceptual study based on research findings, the feasibility study, and project specifications
Conducting tests and experiments to demonstrate proof of concept
Development of a functional prototype
(Depending on the effort, focus, and scope of the work, only some of these tasks may be included in a thesis)

Your profile

Degree in engineering, aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, physics, computer science, applied physics, electronics, or a related field
Interest in telescope technology
Good understanding of robotics and engineering mechanics
Strong general understanding of technology
Creativity

We offer

DLR stands for diversity, appreciation and equality for all people. We promote independent work and the individual development of our employees both personally and professionally. To this end, we offer numerous training and development opportunities. Equal opportunities are of particular importance to us, which is why we want to increase the proportion of women in science and management in particular. Applicants with severe disabilities will be given preference if they are qualified.

We look forward to getting to know you!

If you have any questions about this position (Vacancy-ID 5996) please contact:

Johannes Prell
Tel.: +49 (0) 8153 28 4542