Lucas Bauer
Working Student
Position: Working Student
Department: Industrial Engineering Joining
With EKPO since: September 01, 2023
What do you do at EKPO? What are your responsibilities?
I am a working student in the field of Industrial Engineering, focusing on laser material processing and the production of metallic bipolar plates. My responsibilities include planning and conducting laser welding trials, performing process analysis, and preparing production documentation.
How did you come to join EKPO, and how did you first hear about us?
During the winter semester, I started at EKPO as part of my six-month mandatory internship. At the time, I was specifically looking for companies active in the field of sustainable mobility and fuel cell technology, and that’s how I came across EKPO. The combination of industrial experience and technological innovation immediately fascinated me and reinforced my decision to gain practical experience here. After completing my internship, I was then taken on as a working student.
"I’m passionate about innovative technologies and sustainable mobility. EKPO combines decades of expertise with the dynamic spirit of a modern joint venture"
What motivated you to do your internship at EKPO?
I’m passionate about innovative technologies and sustainable mobility. EKPO combines decades of expertise with the dynamic spirit of a modern joint venture – I felt it was the perfect environment to deepen my technical knowledge in fuel cell technology and apply it in practice. And that has proven to be true.
Did you have specific expectations for your internship / working student position, and were they met?
When I applied, I had clear expectations for my role at EKPO: gaining in-depth insights into fuel cell technology, hands-on experience in laser material processing, and working in an innovative environment that combines technical expertise with a forward-looking vision.
These expectations were not only met but exceeded. I had the opportunity to contribute independently to exciting projects, analyze manufacturing processes, and help optimize them. What I found especially rewarding was the collaboration with experts, whose experience I was able to learn from immensely. In addition, I gained valuable knowledge in automation technology and quality assurance.
Working at EKPO has shown me how challenging and at the same time inspiring the development of sustainable mobility solutions can be. The combination of theory and practice, along with the opportunity to drive real innovation, continues to motivate me every day.
How do you perceive the company culture and collaboration at EKPO?
The open communication culture and the shared goal of creating sustainable solutions for the future of mobility make EKPO an inspiring place to work for me.
EKPO combines tradition and innovation in a dynamic working environment characterized by openness, team spirit, and technological progress. The constructive cooperation between different departments is particularly impressive—everyone contributes their expertise to achieve joint progress in fuel cell technology.
"The open communication culture and the shared goal of creating sustainable solutions for the future of mobility make EKPO an inspiring place to work for me."
How do you experience the leadership and your supervisors at EKPO?
The leadership and my supervisors create an environment that fosters learning, development, and personal responsibility. From the very beginning, I was involved in exciting tasks and encouraged to contribute my own ideas. My supervisors are always open to questions and provide valuable insights into both the technical and strategic aspects of their work.
What I especially appreciate is the support and trust I’ve been given from day one. There are clear structures, yet plenty of freedom for independent work – and that motivates me greatly.
Was there a particular highlight during your time at EKPO?
A particular highlight was actively participating in laser welding trials and conducting subsequent metallographic analyses. It was fascinating to see how theoretical concepts are applied in practice and which parameters influence the quality of the weld seams. I worked closely with experienced colleagues who explained and demonstrated a great deal to me. The feeling of being part of a team working on pioneering technologies for sustainable mobility has left a lasting impression on my time at EKPO.
Would you say that you were able to grow both personally and professionally?
Absolutely! EKPO offers the perfect opportunity to apply university knowledge in practice and tackle real-world challenges. I gained deep insights into fuel cell technology and laser material processing, and I learned how to approach technical problems analytically and systematically.
Working here has shown me how valuable it is to stay curious and to keep developing continuously – an experience that will stay with me for the long term.
Do you have any tips for future interns or working students?
Take every opportunity to learn and actively contribute. Be curious, ask questions, and don’t hesitate to take on responsibility – independent work is encouraged here and truly pays off.
Also, try to look beyond your immediate tasks: EKPO offers many exciting specialist areas, all of which play a key role in fuel cell technology. Understanding the bigger picture helps you gain valuable interdisciplinary experience.
