Powertrain Engineering

Powertrains
Overview
Language
English
Prerequisites
4- or 5-year engineering degree
Training pace
Alternating or continuous
In brief

Presentation

Sustainable mobility relies on the ability of tomorrow’s powertrain engineers to find innovative solutions. Want to help build an environmentally-friendly global automobile industry? Our Powertrain Engineering program offers training suited to tackle the challenges of an industry in the middle of a profound transformation. You will become a sought-after Global Powertrain System Engineer, directly operational and able to work on all current powertrain technologies. This international program will help you build a rewarding career in a multicultural environment. Seize your opportunity!

 

The key points of the program

Alternating school / company
Electrification and hybridization
International / multicultural

Career prospects for graduates

45%
Automotive engineering and R&D companies
25%
Car and truck manufacturers
25%
Automotive equipment suppliers
5%
Energy, aeronautics, marine, rail transport
Program & planning

Program

  • Introduction to the powertrain
  • Conventional and advanced combustion in engines
  • IC engines technologies
  • Numerical modeling for efficient energy
  • Energy and environmental issues
  • Electrified and hybrid vehicles, battery and transmissions
  • Electric machines and power electronics
  • Optimal energy management and powertrain control
  • Powertrain and vehicle testing
  • In-vehicles integration and final project
  • Connected and autonomous vehicles
  • Automotive powertrain market and intercultural management
  • Complementary technical module
  • Experience Sharing Module

Planning

The two examples of schedules shown below correspond to the most frequently encountered cases for students in this program:

  • 16-month continuous program for students with a 4- or 5-year engineering degree

  • alternating school/company 16-month program for students with a 5-year engineering degree

Schedule Powertrain Engineering

There are other possible cases, such as:

  • 22-month alternating school/company program for students in their penultimate year of a major European school or university having signed a double-degree agreement with IFP School

  • 18-month alternating school/company program for students holding a BSc in 4 years

 

Career opportunities

Businesses

The distribution of positions open to graduates of the Powertrain Engineering program is rather consistent. It covers car and truck manufacturers, equipment manufacturers and suppliers,  and engineering and R&D companies. Most graduates join technical divisions in these companies, with positions spanning a variety of activities, from functional design to mechanical design, from engine control to development, up to industrial production.

Jobs

Functional design engineer

  • Synthesis of longitudinal arameters (vehicle performance, consumption, emissions) to define an engine-gearbox pair and the related specifications;
  • Dimensioning of the air loop and engine charging to achieve the required engine performance (functional specification of the turbocharger, intake divider, valve lift profile, EGR, etc.)


Mechanical design engineer

  • Mechanical modeling and design using CAD (cylinder head, cylinder block, piston rod, exhaust gas recirculation / EGR valve, injector, transmissions, etc.)
  • Supplier tracking for the development and standard production of components (piston, air filter, EGR valve, injection pump, turbocharger, actuators, clutch)


Engine control engineer

  • Development of drive control strategies of a hybrid chain, simulation of strategies on a chain model, rapid prototyping on a test bench or HIL (Hardware In the Loop)
  • Development of air loop control strategies (low- and high-pressure EGR, turbocharger, etc.)


Development engineer

  • Driveability calibration (tip in and tip out, gear change, vehicle takeoff , etc.)
  • Calibration and validation of engine starting in extreme climatic conditions
  • Calibration of engine control operating strategies (regeneration of particulate filter, idle control, injection pressure, etc.)
Funding & sponsorships

Typical class profile

Students in this program are almost all sponsored by companies (through sponsorships or apprenticeships) that finance their living expenses during the academic period and contribute towards their tuition.

 

Sponsoring opportunities

Have a look at a selection of offers proposed by our partners.

Main sponsors

Among these companies, the following have been IFP School partners in recent years (non-exhaustive list):

  • Alpine Cars
  • Alpine Racing
  • AVL
  • Bertrandt
  • Bosch
  • Exothermia
  • Emitech
  • Faurecia
  • FEV
  • Ford
  • Groupe Renault
  • Heurtey
  • HTI Automobile
  • Hutchinson
  • Infineum
  • IFPEN
  • Ligier Automotive
  • Man Energy Solutions
  • Mann Hummel
  • Mubea
  • Stellantis
  • Symbio
  • Toyota
  • Valeo
  • Vitesco
  • Volvo Powertrain