How to become an Automotive Software Developer for Electromobility?

Entering the field of automotive software development requires a wide range of knowledge. The transition to electrified powertrains in the automotive industry presents a challenge even to experienced developers as they often lack the electronics and electrical engineering knowhow which is requireed. If you aspire to join this dynamic field, here is a comprehensive guide to get you started.

What do I need to know for Electromobility Software Development?

Educational Foundation in Engineering

To embark on a career as an automotive software developer, you need a solid educational background. A bachelor's or master's degree in one of the following fields or studies with similar curricula is essential:

Electronics, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Technomathematics, Mechatronics

These programs provide a strong foundation in aspects of engineering and technology.

Essential Technical Skills for Electromobility Software Development

Embedded Software Development: A deep understanding of embedded software development is crucial. This includes knowledge of Programming Languages such as C, C++, and Python, Microcontrollers, Real-Time Operating Systems (RTOS) for understanding real-time constraints and multitasking.

Electronics and Electrical Know-How: A genial understanding of electronics as well as power electronics: to understand converters, inverters, and power management. Also a good understanding of sensors and actuators that interact with the physical world is important.

Electromobility Knowledge: You should have an understanding of electrified powertrains including the knowledge of how electric motors, batteries, and power electronics work together. Also an understanding of battery technologies and battery management systems BMS is often required. EV charging should not be left out especially the charging communication protocols.

Automotive Processes for System and Software Development

In addition to technical skills, familiarity with specific development processes is essential: Automotive SPICE to improve software quality, Automotive Cybersecurity to protect automotive systems from cyber threats, and Functional Safety with an understanding of the ISO 26262.

Development Tools for Embedded Software Development

Proficiency with various development tools is necessary to streamline the software development process. This includes e.g. Version Control Systems like GIT, Ticketing Systems like JIRA, Debuggers and further tools for testing embedded systems.

Social and Language Skills

Effective communication and collaboration are vital, as automotive software development often involves working with distributed teams around the globe.

Embedded Academy - An Academy for Learning

Rather than taking well-worn, trainer-led material and placing it online, the Eclipseina GmbH team has developed their material from the ground up. Following didactic methods, the courses are built to serve the needs of a wide range of learners without leaving anyone behind.

And there is additional guidance, as the Embedded Academy is providing learning journeys.

The Embedded Academy supports you on the way via learning journeys

You are provided with an extensive description which is describing the expected e-learning content as well as the learning journey. The description for the Automotive Software Developer for Electromobility and further descriptions can be found under the following link: https://embedded-academy.com/en/learning-journeys-for-job-profiles/

Embedded Academy - Learning Journey for Electromobility Software Developer

The Embedded Academy offers a comprehensive "Electromobility Software Developer" e-learning package, designed to equip you with the necessary knowledge and skills. This program is structured into four key parts. The recommended learning journey is to go through the e-learning courses in the order in which they are explained.

Embedded Software Development

The first part covers essential knowledge for embedded software development:

• Embedded Software Fundamentals: Understand fixed-point and floating-point arithmetic for numerical representation and calculations.
• Serial Bus Systems: Learn about their architecture, protocols, and components, along with the OSI model for layered communication.
• Cyclic Redundancy Check (CRC): Gain insights into CRC, crucial for bus communication.
• Operating Systems: Explore kernel operations, multitasking, safety considerations, and challenges in OS development.
• Real-Time Operating Systems (RTOS): Learn about real-time requirements, including time and event-based tasks.

Electronics, Electrical Engineering, and Battery Technology

The second part covers foundational knowledge for electronics, electrical engineering, and battery technology:

• Electronics and Electrical Fundamentals: Learn about electronics, magnetism, circuitry, AC circuits, and basic power electronics.
• Power Electronics: Study semiconductors, half-bridge concepts for controlling electrical machines, thermal design, and applications.
• Electrical Machines: Start with basics and delve into types such as permanent magnet synchronous, synchronous, induction, DC, and brushless DC machines.
• Control of Electrical Machines: Integrate power electronics, electrical machines, and embedded software, focusing on field-oriented and control design.
• Vector Control: Gain detailed understanding of the mathematical background needed for field-oriented control.
• Battery Systems: Explore battery cells, systems, and management essential for energy storage in e-mobility.

Electromobility Specific Know-How

This part integrates electronics and electrical engineering knowledge into the context of electromobility:

• E-Mobility Overview: Learn about trends, use cases, market aspects, electric charging, and vehicle systems including powertrain, electric drive, functional safety, and energy management.
• EV Charging: Understand automated charging, use cases, grid interaction, and communication between vehicles and charging stations.
• Electrified Powertrain: Gain insights into power electronics, electrical machines, their control, and battery systems.
• Noise, Vibration, and Harshness (NVH): Study sound physics, psychoacoustics, noise contribution, propagation, and vehicle sound design.

Automotive Processes and Cybersecurity

The final part focuses on essential automotive processes for electric vehicle software development, including ASPICE and automotive cybersecurity.

• ASPICE: Start with an overview of the process model, then learn about engineering processes (system and software engineering) and supporting processes, including management, acquisition, and supply.
• Information Security: Begin with IT-security basics, followed by detailed courses on automotive cybersecurity requirements and processes.

• Automotive Cybersecurity: Specific requirements and process required by automotive cybersecurity.

Conclusion for becoming an Automotive Software Developer for Electromobility Projects

The path to becoming an automotive software developer for electrified powertrain projects is multifaceted, requiring a blend of formal education, technical expertise, and process knowledge.

Leveraging resources like the Embedded Academy's e-learning package with its well defined learning journeys can provide a structured and comprehensive learning experience. With the well structured approach of the Embedded Academy which is guiding you along a major part of the learning process you will be able to acquire a solid basis which you can build on.

By mastering these areas, you will be well-equipped to contribute to the evolving field of electromobility and play a crucial role in the development of next-generation automotive technologies.

Contact and further information

Eclipseina and its Embedded Academy

Mail: [email protected]

Phone: +49 941 / 600 944 95

Further information on training and e-learning

• Embedded Academy:?https://embedded-academy.com
• E-Learning portfolio:?https://embedded-academy.com/e-learning-portfolio-en
• Learning Journeys based on Job Profiles: https://embedded-academy.com/en/learning-journeys-for-job-profiles/
• Trainings: https://embedded-academy.com/en/seminars/

Further information on charging

• YouTube:?https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbsTF70txcGcBo-VwZnk2Hc5igCPshjza
• Charge controller:?https://eclipseina.com/ec-charge-en
• EV and EVSE simulators: https://eclipseina.com/simulators-ec-sim-ev-se
• Charging test systems:?https://eclipseina.com/charging-test-systems-en