Internship | Design aerospace feed system

TNO; Den Haag; On-site; EUR 6,200 - 7,500; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Monthly internship allowance €615

Travel expense contribution

Jong TNO membership

Laptop provided

Eight hours of leave per internship月

Job summary

TNO offers a 3–4 month internship in the Energetic Systems department to lead the architecture of the liquid fuel supply system for the national facility. You will perform conceptual modelling, progress to detailed design, and select hardware and diagnostics with a team of aeropropulsion experts.

You are pursuing a Master’s in aerospace or mechanical engineering with a background in fluid dynamics, and you will gain hands-on insight into applied propulsion research while contributing to

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering or a related field and looking for a 3- to 4-month internship.
• Background in fluid dynamics.
• Familiarity with experimental research and/or feed system design is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead architect of the liquid fuel supply system for the Energetic Systems facility.
• Perform conceptual modelling to detailed design of the system.
• Select hardware and diagnostics.
• Collaborate with a team of aeropropulsion experts.

Skills

Fluid dynamics

Aerospace propulsion

Experimental research

Feed system design

Education

Master’s degree in aerospace/mechanical engineering or related field

Job description

About this position

Supersonic propulsion is widely used in military propulsion, and is increasingly being used in civilian applications. While conventional gas turbine engines can operate at low to moderate supersonic flight speeds, dedicated supersonic propulsion systems like ramjets and rotating detonation engines offer better performance and offer reduced complexity, making them an attractive option. TNO has for decades been working on such propulsion systems using the TNO Aeropropulsion Test Facility. This facility can generate flight enthalpies of up to Mach 4.5, allowing both free-jet and direct connect testing of advanced supersonic air‑breathing propulsion concepts. Thus far primarily solid and gaseous fuels have been used in the facility. Liquid fuels, in particular liquid hydrocarbons, can offer significant advantages in terms of packaging and energy density however, leading to a desire to develop a liquid fuel supply system for the facility. The goal of this internship is to perform the conceptual and detailed design of this liquid fuel supply system, for future integration into the facility.

What will be your role?

You will be working to further expand a unique facility within the Netherlands and Europe, contributing to the development of future supersonic propulsion systems. You will be the lead architect of the liquid fuel supply system, converting the conceptual, preliminary and detailed design of the system. Activities will range from conceptual modelling of the system to selecting hardware and diagnostics design. You will perform this assignment in TNO’s Energetic Systems department. In the department you will work together with a team of aeropropulsion experts with both experimental and numerical backgrounds, and in doing so gain a detailed understanding of applied aeropropulsion research.

What we expect from you

You are doing a Master’s degree in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering or a related field and are looking for a 3-4 month internship. You have an interest in aerospace propulsion, and have a background in fluid dynamics. Familiarity with experimental research and/or feed system design is preferred although not required. You are eager to dig into challenging problems and are able to work independently.

What you'll get in return

An internship at TNO means working in an environment where substance and impact are central. You will become part of a knowledge organisation where research and practice come together, and where experts collaborate on solutions to current societal and technological challenges.

Your internship is a period in which you can discover what suits you, where your strengths lie and what you would like to learn next. You are part of a professional working environment, gain insight into how things work in practice, and have the opportunity to build experience that goes beyond this internship alone. For many students, an internship is therefore also a first step in discovering whether TNO could be a potential next step after graduation.

In addition, we offer you:

• A professional and innovative internship environment in which you actively contribute to societal and technological challenges, working alongside leading experts in your field.
• Personal and dedicated supervision, with focus on your learning objectives, development and study assignment.
• Room to develop: you gain relevant work experience, develop both your subject‑specific and professional skills, and build a valuable network.
• Use of a laptop and the facilities you need to perform your work effectively.
• A monthly internship allowance of € 615 for a full‑time internship, for MSc, BSc and vocational education (MBO) students.
• Up to eight hours of leave per internship month for a full‑time internship, allowing you to balance your internship with your studies and personal life.
• A contribution towards travel expenses if you are not entitled to a student travel card.
• A free membership to Jong TNO: the network for young colleagues, where you can meet other TNO colleagues and participate in sports activities, professional and personal development activities, and social events such as the annual ski trip.

TNO as an employer

Our people are at the heart of TNO. Their curiosity, expertise and entrepreneurial mindset make it possible to deliver high‑impact research and innovations that contribute to society’s sustainable wellbeing and prosperity. That is why we invest in an inspiring and inclusive working environment where colleagues can excel, have autonomy and continue to grow. Your talent and ambition have every opportunity to flourish at TNO. You work with experts (both within and beyond TNO), have access to advanced technology and the freedom to explore, experiment and innovate. Our strength lies in independence, reliability and collaboration. We find each other in wonder and ingenuity. We are driven to push boundaries. By working with businesses and government, and by connecting different perspectives, we strengthen our innovative capability and create responsible, meaningful results. At TNO, we believe this is our time to help society, government and business move forward faster. Together with driven colleagues, you turn knowledge into concrete innovations or ventures that truly make a difference by combining the power of science and entrepreneurship. And in doing so, you make your mark on our time.

The selection process

Important to know before applying:

Before the start of the internship, an internship agreement must be signed. For students enrolled at a Dutch university or university of applied sciences, TNO uses the UNL‑template, supplemented with several TNO‑specific agreements. For students from foreign educational institutions and MBO (secondary vocational education) programmes, the TNO internship agreement applies. TNO does not sign any other internship agreements.

Interns at TNO must have a registered residential address in the Netherlands at the start of the internship. Carrying out internship activities from abroad is not possible.

Are you an international student? Please note that you must have a BSN (Dutch citizen service number) before the start of your internship. Applying for a BSN can take several weeks, so make sure to start this process well in advance.

For this internship vacancy it is required that the AIVD issues a security clearance (VGB) following a security screening. In any case, please note that this process has an average duration of approximately 8 weeks. If you have been abroad for more than 6 consecutive months, or if you do not have the Dutch nationality, this process may take longer. For more information, please visit the AIVD website.

If you start an internship with us, we will also ask you to provide a Certificate of Conduct (VOG).