Internship: Making airport container positioning for a robot setup smarter

StudentJob; Veghel; On-site; EUR 5,600 - 6,100; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stagevergoeding €500–€550/maand (afh.‑

Reiskosten vergoeding

On-site health center

Active employee communities

Job summary

Vanderlande zoekt een stagiair om de positionering van luchthavencontainers voor een robotsysteem te verbeteren. Je werkt aan diverse dolly-train configuraties en ontwikkelt detectieconcepten om tractoren en containertypes te herkennen, met testen op een testopstelling of via simulaties.

De stage biedt praktische ervaring in robotics en automatisering binnen een internationale context en start februari 2027 voor een periode van 6 maanden, in Veghel, Nederland.

Qualifications

• Beschikbaarheid en interesse in robotica, automatisering en logistiek.
• Beheersing van Engels, basis kennis van Nederlands gewenst.
• Binnenlandse en Nederlandse residentie verplicht voor stage.

Responsibilities

• Analyseer dolly-train configuraties en operationele stromingen in luchthavencontainerafhandeling.
• Onderzoek slimme detectiemethoden voor samenstelling van treinen en differentiatie van tractors en containertypes.
• Beoordeel of input van de chauffeur kan worden verminderd via intelligente sensing en ontwerp van processen.
• Test en valideer scenario's met computer simulaties of hands-on testen op een fysiek testopstelling.
• Vertaal onderzoeksbevindingen naar duidelijke requirements, processtromen en aanbevelingen.

Skills

Engels

Education

HBO

Job description

Job Title

Internship: Making airport container positioning for a robot setup smarter

Job Description

Assignment type: Internship

Start date: February 2027

Assignment duration: 6 months

Location: Veghel

Education level: Bachelor / Master

Desired study: mechatronics, mechanical engineering, industrial automation, systems & control

Language: Dutch / English

Description of assignment

Airports are fast-paced, dynamic environments where every minute counts and operational movements directly impact capacity, safety, and efficiency. At Vanderlande, we develop advanced robotic solutions to automate airport baggage and container handling. However, before a robot can process airplane containers, incoming container trains ("dolly trains") must be positioned accurately, and the system must reliably detect what type of equipment has arrived.

In this hands‑on internship, you will investigate how our robotic loading setups can better handle diverse dolly train configurations ranging from single-dolly setups to mixed‑type trains. You will explore smart detection concepts to help the system distinguish between tractors and container types, evaluate whether driver input can be eliminated through automated sensing, and test your scenarios on a real test setup or via computer simulations. Your insights will directly shape requirements for future airport automation solutions.

Department description

You will join the Robotics Airports team within Vanderlande's Technology organization, where we design innovative automation concepts for modern airport baggage operations.

Our team works on cutting‑edge robotics and smart airport logistics, collaborating closely with experts in software, controls, mechanics, safety, and international customer projects.

Tasks/responsibilities

• Analyze various dolly train configurations and operational flows used in airport container handling
• Investigate smart detection methods to recognize train composition and differentiate between tractors and container types
• Evaluate whether driver input can be minimized or replaced through intelligent sensing and process design
• Test and validate proposed scenarios using computer simulations or hands‑on testing on a physical setup
• Translate research findings into clear requirements, process flows, and recommendations for future development

Your profile

• Curious and analytical mindset with a strong interest in robotics, automation, and logistics systems
• Ability to structure complex operational challenges into clear process flows and practical scenarios
• Strong communication skills to gather input and validate assumptions with engineers and stakeholders
• Proactive attitude and eagerness to combine desk research with hands‑on testing activities
• *Mandatory enrolment to a Dutch Education System & resident of The Netherlands

What we offer

• A monthly internship allowance (based on a 40-hour work week):
  Bachelor: €500 per month
  Master: €550 per month
• Full commuting allowance, including public transport, depending on whether you have access to free public transport or not
• On-site health center with gym
• Active employee communities and initiatives
• Excellent company restaurant and barista coffee bar

Salarisomschrijving

In overeenstemming

Vaardigheden

• Je beheerst Engels

Opleiding

HBO