Product Engineering Munich 26.06.2026

PhD Developing customer experience through innovative seating concepts for future interiors (f/m/x)

THE FUTURE IS WHAT WE CREATE WHEN WE TAKE OUR VISIONS TO THE LIMITS.

PHD AT THE BMW GROUP.

Bridging the gap between your doctoral studies and the kind of career challenge you’re looking for isn’t always easy. That’s why our ProMotion PhD programme gives you the opportunity to apply your passion and scientific expertise to very real challenges that could shape the future of mobility. If selected, you’ll have the chance to really develop your own future career path with us through your practice-related thesis, promote your chosen specialty from within – and position yourself to secure the career you’ve always wanted.

 

Our team at the BMW Group is designing the seating concepts of tomorrow. We enable customers to carry out their driving tasks comfortably and safely, whilst the transition to electric or autonomous driving requires innovative ideas and seating concepts.

What awaits you?

•    You will assist in the design of future reclining and lying-down seat concepts for the vehicle architecture of the future.

•    You will also help to achieve a balance between customer comfort, the overall seating package and ergonomics for a variety of customer usage scenarios.

•    You will help to ensure a compelling customer experience without compromising comfort throughout the entire vehicle lifecycle.

•    You will also help to evaluate different technologies (e.g. haptic, visual, acoustic) to ensure customer satisfaction, safety and well-being.

•    You will also help to conduct tests with real participants in a realistic driving simulation environment to validate the feasibility of the technologies.

•    Furthermore, you will assist in the creation of prototype set-ups featuring seating systems and interior concepts for validation testing.

•    You will also be involved in working closely with the seat prototyping workshop, user interface experts and specialists in human subject testing.

What should you bring along?

•    A degree in software engineering, electrical engineering, automotive engineering or a comparable technical or scientific qualification.

•    Ideally, some initial experience in the automotive industry, in the design of customer experiences or functions, engineering and/or vehicle packaging.

•    Systemic thinking and knowledge of the design of complex mechatronic systems.

•    Knowledge of object-oriented programming and the modelling of complex functional chains.

•    Experience with MATLAB/SIMULINK or comparable simulation tools.

•    Good spatial awareness and knowledge of Catia V5 or comparable tools for parametric design.

•    Business-level proficiency in spoken and written English; knowledge of Chinese would be an advantage.

Are you passionate about innovative seating concepts and keen to help shape the mobility of tomorrow? Apply now!
Note: Please apply exclusively online through our career portal. Applications submitted via other channels (including email) cannot be considered. Citizens of countries outside the European Union must have a valid residence or work permit for the duration of the program.

If you make it through to the next round, you’ll receive an invitation to a video interview by email. Please also check your spam folder regularly.

What we offer?

  • Comprehensive mentoring & onboarding.
  • Personal & professional development.
  • Flexible working hours.
  • Digital offers & mobile working.
  • Attractive & fair remuneration.
  • Annual special payments such as vacation pay and Christmas bonus.
  • Apartment offers for students (subject to availability & only Munich).
  • And many other benefits - see bmw.jobs/benefits

Earliest starting date: from now on

Duration: 36 months

Working hours: Part-time


You can find helpful tips on your application and the application process here.

At the BMW Group, we place great importance on equal treatment and equal opportunities. Our recruiting decisions are based on the personality, experience, and skills of the applicants.

Learn more here.

PhD Developing customer experience through innovative seating concepts for future interiors (f/m/x)

com.bmw.grpw.core.models.jobfinder.IdDisplayItem@4ebc4dbc
20260626
Automotive
Munich
Germany
Legal Entity:
BMW AG
BMW Group
Location:
Munich
Job Field:
Product Engineering
Job Id:
184120
Publication Date:
26.06.2026
Talent Programs
Part-time