Study program and career opportunities

Testimonials

Nilufar, Master student ACES
“I chose FAU and the ACES programme because of my deep interest in electromobility and automotive manufacturing processes. Germany, being one of the world’s leading automotive producers, was a natural choice for me, and FAU stands out with its strong reputation in this field. What excites me most is that electromobility is not just about building electric cars it is a truly prestigious direction for the future, combining advanced engineering with emerging technologies. Studying at FAU gives me the opportunity to connect my background in programming and systems engineering with real-world automotive innovation. I am confident that the skills and experience I gain here will open doors to a meaningful career at the intersection of software, engineering and sustainable mobility.”
Hareesh, Master student ACES
“I chose FAU because of its strong reputation in engineering, excellent research opportunities, and close connections with industry such as Siemens, Audi, BMW, and many innovative research institutes. The Electromobility-ACES Master’s programme appealed to me because it combines advanced engineering with emerging technologies such as AI, connectivity, e-powertrain and sustainable mobility, allowing me to broaden my mechanical engineering background. What I enjoy most is working on research with real-world applications and learning in an international environment.”

Master’s Program: Electromobility – ACES

The interdisciplinary Electromobility-ACES program brings together FAU’s strong expertise in AI & Autonomous Driving, Connectivity, Electric Powertrain Engineering and Sustainable Mobility & Production Technology.

It prepares you for the rapidly evolving global mobility sector and offers excellent career prospects.

Students choose two of the four majors and deepen their knowledge in the respective areas of specialisation.

Regional Opportunities in Germany

The Nuremberg Metropolitan Region (with Erlangen) and Munich are particularly strong hubs for electromobility employment, with major industrial companies concentrating their EV development there. Other Key industrial regions include Baden-Württemberg (Stuttgart, Swabia), North Rhine-Westphalia (Cologne, Düsseldorf), and Hessen (Frankfurt area). Germany’s strong “Mittelstand” (mid-sized companies) sector offers particularly stable, specialized engineering roles outside major corporate centers.

The demand for ACES engineers in Germany remains consistently high, with particularly strong growth in electromobility, renewable energy, automation, and digitalization sectors.

Industry Sectors & Brands

FAU maintains strong cooperations e.g. with the following industrial partners:

More renowned companies in relevant sectors include

  • Energy – Siemens Energy, E.ON, Vattenfall, RWE, Enel
  • Automotive & Electromobility – Volkswagen, BMW, Audi, Mercedes-Benz, Bosch, Siemens, Continental, ZF
  • Industrial Automation – Siemens, ABB, Rockwell Automation, Beckhoff, Pilz, Eaton
  • Telecommunications – Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone, O₂, Nokia, Ericsson
  • Semiconductor & Electronics – Infineon, STMicroelectronics, Bosch Sensortec, Intel, AMD
  • Electrical Equipment Manufacturing – Schneider Electric, Legrand, Phoenix Contact
  • Aerospace & Defense – Airbus, Daimler Aerospace, Hensoldt, Thales
  • Railway & Transport – Siemens Mobility, Alstom, Deutsche Bahn
  • Startups & Scale-ups – Battery technology, charging infrastructure, IoT, smart grid solutions

Source: Mercedes-Benz

Primary Career Fields

With a master’s degree in ACES in Germany, you have access to an exceptionally broad range of vocational fields mostly in the areas of mechanical and electrical engineering.

Career FieldDescription
Automotive EngineeringVehicle design, powertrain development, chassis systems, manufacturing, quality assurance for cars, trucks, and commercial vehicles
Mechanical Design & DevelopmentProduct design, CAD modeling, prototype development, optimization across diverse industries
Manufacturing & ProductionProduction planning, process optimization, lean manufacturing, factory automation, supply chain management
Energy & Power SystemsTurbines, compressors, renewable energy systems, thermal engineering, power plant operations
Thermal EngineeringHVAC systems, heat exchangers, cooling systems, energy efficiency optimization
Mechanical Testing & Quality AssuranceTesting equipment design, quality control, failure analysis, compliance verification
Power Generation & DistributionDesigning and maintaining electrical grids, substations, transformers, and power transmission systems
Renewable Energy SystemsWind turbines, solar photovoltaic systems, grid integration, energy storage technologies
Electric Motors & DrivesMotor design, power electronics, drive systems, industrial motor control
Power ElectronicsConverter design, inverters, rectifiers, power management systems for industrial and consumer applications
Automation & Control SystemsIndustrial automation, smart factories, robotics, process control
Telecommunications & NetworksCommunication systems, fiber optics, 5G/6G networks, signal processing, network infrastructure
Electronics & MicroelectronicsSemiconductor design, circuit design, microcontroller programming, embedded systems
Energy Efficiency & Smart GridsGrid modernization, smart meter systems, demand-side management, digitalization of energy infrastructure

Specific technical roles and positions

Common positions for ACES graduates include:

  • Design Engineer – Creating and optimizing mechanical systems and components
  • Process Engineer – Optimizing manufacturing processes and factory workflows
  • Project Engineer – Managing development and implementation projects
  • Quality Assurance Engineer – Testing, verification, and compliance
  • Product Manager – Overseeing product development from concept to market
  • Research & Development Engineer – Innovating new technologies and solutions
  • Field Service Engineer – Providing technical support and maintenance to customers
  • Maintenance & Reliability Engineer – Ensuring equipment performance and longevity
  • Power Systems Engineer – Designing electrical grids, substations, and distribution networks
  • Renewable Energy Engineer – Developing wind, solar, and energy storage systems
  • Controls Engineer – Developing automation and process control systems
  • Embedded Systems Engineer – Programming microcontrollers and embedded applications
  • Circuit Designer – Designing electronic circuits and PCBs (printed circuit boards)
  • Signal Processing Engineer – Working with digital signal processing and communications
  • Network Engineer – Designing and managing telecommunications infrastructure
  • Test & Validation Engineer – Testing electrical systems and ensuring compliance
  • Product Engineer – Developing electrical products from concept to market
  • Field Service Engineer – Providing technical support and system commissioning

Career Advancement & Further Options

With an ACES master’s degree, you can develop your career

  • Progress to leadership roles – Team lead, department manager, or director positions within 5–10 years
  • Pursue PhDs – If interested in research, academic positions, or specialized technical roles
  • Transition to related fields – Management consulting, technical sales, patent law, or business development
  • Work internationally – German mechanical engineers are highly sought after globally; many move to Switzerland, Scandinavia, the US, or Asia

Application

Application period for the summer semester 2027:
15 September – 30 November 2026

We strongly recommend to apply until 31 October 2026.
Further information for application: “Application for the Master’s degree program”

To receive further information, please use our contact form (you may write in English or German language).

Study plan Master ACES