Join us!
Join us!
"Don't limit your challenges, Challenge your limits"
Need a real challenge? The AMZ racing team is going all out in building an electric race car that can beat the best among the best! Come join our team to build AMZ's next generation formula student vehicle, and take a deep dive into the fascinating technology that makes our open-wheeler reach levels beyond your imagination.
How may I participate?
We mainly offer four different kinds of participations (all based in Zürich/Dübendorf, Switzerland):
Focus Student
Students from ETH Zurich who are enrolled in BSc Mechanical Engineering or BSc Electrical Engineering, and students from HSLU Lucerne enrolled in BSc Electrical Engineering, may choose to join our team as full-time members for one year, from September to August, during their third year of studies as part of the focus project. At the end of the academic year, successful participation will be rewarded with 20 ECTS.
Driverless Core Member
In our driverless team, students from fields such as Computer Science, Data Science, Mechanical, Electrical Engineering and Robotics, Systems, and Control work part-time for one semester, with the workload shifted towards the second (spring) semester where they work full-time until the events in August.
Freelancer
To enable more students to join us, we also offer Freelancer positions with enhanced flexibility. To become a Freelancer, you only need to be enrolled as a student at one of the Swiss universities, ETHZ/EPFL, or universities of applied sciences. All majors are emphatically welcome, as are both bachelor's and master's students. You can tell us how much you are willing to work per week, and we will try to find or create a suitable work package for you.
Thesis Student
Additionally, it is also possible to write a bachelor's, semester, or master's thesis with AMZ. You are welcome to approach us either with a specific idea or just your interest. Please note that you will need to independently arrange for a supervising professor.
Events
AMZ Driverless Open Day
Sunday, October 6th 2024, 15:00
Driverless show runs, Presentations, and Free BBQ!
Register here!
Location:
Innovationspark Zürich
Wangenstrasse 64
8600 Dübendorf
Types of Work
Here are the areas you could be working in! Although we divide the team into various modules, everyone contributes to our ultimate goal of designing and building a better and faster car each year. We welcome applications from students of all disciplines.
Modules available for Focus Students are marked with "FC", and for Driverless Core Members with "D".
Freelancers are active across all areas.
Place of Work: Zürich & Dübendorf, Switzerland.
Aerodynamics (FC)
In a formula-styled race car, aerodynamics plays a crucial role in performance. As a member of the aerodynamics module, you will personally carry out all the steps to manufacture components including sidepods, front and rear wings, nose wing, etc. You will begin by drafting 3D shapes using CAD software and validate your concepts with computational fluid dynamics (CFD) by simulating the car in a virtual wind tunnel on the Euler Cluster of ETHZ. Once the final shape is decided, you will design a mold that will be milled by our partners, and then laminate it with carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP). After the car is finished, you will have the opportunity to visit a physical wind tunnel to compare the data from the simulation with the actual data. Throughout the process, you will gain considerable CAD skills, develop a deep understanding of fluid dynamics, and acquire extensive knowledge in race car aerodynamics and composite materials.
Chassis (FC)
As a member of the chassis module, your work mostly revolves around the design and manufacturing of carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) structures. Main work include the CAD/structural design and manufacturing of stiff, lightweight, and safe composite parts such as the single-piece monocoque and CFRP rims, but also the responsibility of the general vehicle packaging and internal organization of the car. In addition, various other composite parts such as crash structures and mountings are designed, manufactured, and tested to increase the car's performance and driver safety to minimize the lap time.
Controls (FC)
In the Controls module, you'll be instrumental in the development and refinement of the car's control systems. The key responsibilities include crafting advanced control algorithms (such as 4-wheel torque vectoring algorithms) and improving the Simulink Real-Time model, ensuring its reliability and functionality. Utilizing MATLAB and Simulink, you'll actively engage in the commissioning and testing phases, as well as developing apps that will aid the team in these phases. Your work ensures a seamless integration of complex electronic systems within an automotive masterpiece.
Electronics (FC)
Electronics is crucial to a race car, more so if it is an electric race car. To power and control our sensors, motors, accumulators, and everything else that uses electricity, we have complex electrical systems in place with both high-voltage and low-voltage. In the electronics module, you have the chance to design your own PCBs in e.g. Altium Designer, test them, and integrate them into our car. You might also be responsible for the development of electronics related embedded/non-embedded software like Charger Monitor or Inverter Controller. Furthermore, we also develop our very own high-voltage inverter every year.
Powertrain (FC)
A high-performance car demands a top-notch powertrain. In the powertrain module, you will learn about state-of-the-art technologies and apply them in your work. The AMZ powertrain has been fully self-developed for several years, including the battery, inverters, motors, and gearbox, delivering the desired torque to each of the four wheels. To ensure the powertrain meets our high standards, interfaces must seamlessly integrate with one another. Your responsibilities may include dimensioning, design, manufacturing, validating, and testing of a high/low-voltage battery, thermal management system, self-developed wheel hub motors, and gearbox concepts. You will also have the opportunity to conduct simulations, design in CAD, and manufacture carbon parts.
Suspension (FC)
The suspension module is where precision engineering meets dynamic performance. Our ultimate goal is to provide grip and a stable platform that inspires driver confidence and allows them to push the limits. At AMZ, we take pride in our innovative, entirely student-driven suspension design. You will perform kinematic simulations to determine the optimal suspension geometries, thereby maximizing the tires' potential. Designing the wheel hubs, uprights, and control arms might also be part of your work. Additionally, you might also develop the driver controls, including steering and brake systems, as well as your own mode-decoupled spring-damper elements. As part of our module, you will have the opportunity to learn extensively about vehicle dynamics and structural design. Specifically, you may get the chance to dimension pneumatic or hydraulic circuits, as well as to optimize, validate, and fine-tune suspension systems. Furthermore, you will be encouraged to develop and design your own components, contributing your unique insights and expertise to the team's success.
Autonomous Controls (D)
The goal of the autonomous controls module is to develop algorithms which navigate the car fast and reliably around the complex tracks, all based on the data from perception and estimation. This is accomplished by e.g. applying complex controllers such as Model Predictive Control, or PurePursuit in simpler disciplines. Before integrating these algorithms, you will test them in our virtual simulator developed by our simulation module. You will also optimize and fine-tune these algorithms, aiming for higher speed through the track.
Estimation (D)
The estimation module is vital within our driverless pipeline, focusing on three primary objectives. First, it endeavors to achieve the most accurate real-time awareness of the vehicle's position and condition. Second, it is tasked with creating and consistently updating a precise environmental map. Lastly, it dedicates efforts to the precise extraction of path boundaries, which provide the controllers data to make effective decisions. To achieve this, different sensors incl. optical velocity sensor are integrated. You will be develop and improve the programs used in the extraction & processing of the data.
Perception (D)
The perception module is the first stage of the driverless pipeline. Interacting with LiDAR and camera, the goal of perception is to understand the environment of the autonomous vehicle, in order to provide real-time, accurate sensor-fusion information for the estimation module. You will combine deep learning models for camera data with the traditional cone-detection algorithm used with LiDAR.
Simulation (D)
The simulation module allows to test and validate our algorithms and strategies in a virtual environment before deploying them in the real world. Compared to driving with the actual car, simulations provide a safe and controlled space to observe how our vehicle behaves under various conditions and scenarios much more efficiently. This way, we may already refine our algorithms, find problems and fine-tune parameters for optimal performance during development phase without a car.
Software Infrastructure (D)
The software infrastructure module creates the environment for the autonomous pipeline and the driverless team to work in. We are responsible for overlooking the software development process, safe and efficient integration of changes in the code base, and deploying the driverless stack on the self-developed car computer. Additionally, we create software for all use cases which do not fall under the responsibility of other modules like monitoring the state of the pipeline or communication between different vital components.
Operations
As a legally independent student association that is financially independent from any university, we rely heavily on our partners. In the operations module, you will be responsible for marketing and public relations. Your main tasks will include creating media, such as pictures and videos, using software of your choice (examples include Blender, KeyShot etc.), and assisting in planning events such as our renowned rollout. Your work in the operations team is essential to highlight the association's work and effectively promote it across various channels. It is the operations team’s task to amplify the association's reach, which is crucial for attracting potential sponsors and new team members, both of which are of paramount importance to the success of the project.
How to apply?
General Info
Every member at AMZ works without financial compensation; we are driven by our passion for motorsport and the fascinating world of engineering. Here, you will learn what couldn't be taught in traditional settings and achieve what you once thought impossible.
AMZ offers a great deal of flexibility. For example, even if your primary focus is on software, you have the opportunity to work with carbon materials, as the chassis module always welcomes help during the manufacturing stage. This flexibility extends to your role, allowing you to take on crucial tasks right from your first year with us. Depending on your interests, you may also handle additional responsibilities. If you are concerned about lacking the skills to join us, rest assured that many of us started without much prior knowledge. At AMZ, it’s not just about building cars; it’s also about acquiring skills that extend far beyond the traditional lecture hall setting.
This is why motivation is a crucial criterion in our application process.
Focus Student
- Apply until 09.06.2024
- Confirmation by 30.06.2024
- Materials (in English & in separate PDFs)
- CV
- letter of motivation incl. interested areas of work at AMZ
- current transcript of grades (for ETH students: from MyStudies)
- Send an Email (Subject: "AMZ Focus Student Application 24/25") with the materials to recruiting@amzracing.ch & thomatan@ethz.ch (application must be sent to both addresses). Additionally, apply via the application form from D-MAVT. All three must be done!
Driverless Core Member
- Apply until 15.10.2024
- Materials (in English & in separate PDFs)
- CV
- letter of motivation incl. interested areas of work at AMZ
- latest transcript of grades (official/unofficial)
- Send an Email (Subject: "AMZ DV Core Member Application 24/25") with the materials to recruiting@amzracing.ch
Freelancer
-
Apply as soon as possible - For software only positions, we review applications on a rolling basis; for others: apply before 16.06.2024, late submissions might not be considered
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Materials (in English & in separate PDFs)
- CV
- letter of motivation with available time per week & interested areas of work at AMZ
-
Send an Email (Subject: "AMZ Freelancer Application 24/25") with the materials to recruiting@amzracing.ch
Thesis Student & other
No specific guidelines. Just reach out to recruiting@amzracing.ch
