Internship or Graduation: General Autonomous Shipping

823 Damen Research Development & Innovation B.V.; Gorinchem; On-site; EUR 7,800 - 12,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Internship fee

Travel allowance

Mentoring at academic level

Job summary

823 Damen Research Development & Innovation B.V. is offering a student internship focused on autonomous shipping technologies. This role involves working on systems that support vessel autonomy, undertaking research, and running simulations under expert supervision.

Candidates should be Master students with a strong background in control, robotics, or related fields. The position offers mentoring and a dynamic work environment in Gorinchem, with opportunities for internships or thesis projects. Please note, international students must secure their own accommodation in the Netherlands.

Qualifications

• Master student with a strong background in control, robotics, mathematics, mechatronics, embedded software, or HMI design.
• Fluency in English is required.
• Minimum availability of six months and willingness to work on site in Gorinchem.

Responsibilities

• Answer specified research questions related to autonomous shipping.
• Develop tools for RD&I, such as autonomy simulators in ROS.
• Run simulations with model boats in various setups.
• Work under daily supervision of a researcher to ensure work meets Damen's expectations.

Skills

Control

Robotics

Mathematics

Mechatronics

Embedded Software

HMI Design

Simulation skills (Python)

Robotics Control (ROS)

C/C++

Education

Master student

Tools

W-band radar

Longwave infrared

NMEA protocols

C++

Job description

The role

As a student working for the automation research team, you will work on novel technologies related to autonomous shipping. This includes both full autonomy and captain support systems, which are stepping‑stones towards full autonomy. Autonomous shipping covers vessel dynamics and control, sensing and sensor fusion, collision avoidance, remote command and control, simulations, human‑machine interfacing, and development of modular hardware and software to integrate all components.

Key accountabilities

• Answer a specific research question (e.g., which sensors to use for autodocking).
• Develop a tool for RD&I, such as setting up an autonomy simulator in ROS.
• Run simulations or work with the static sensor setup, model boats in a water basin, or the full‑size test vessel, depending on the assignment.
• Work under the daily supervision of a researcher to ensure that executed work meets Damen’s expectations.

Skills & Experience

• Master student with a strong background in control, robotics, mathematics, mechatronics, embedded software, or HMI design.
• Proficient in simulation skills (e.g., Python), robotics control (ROS), and/or other low‑level language skills (C, C++).
• Hands‑on experience with technology such as W‑band radar, longwave infrared, or standardized protocols (e.g., NMEA).
• Experience with algorithms, tracking, fusion, and calibration processes.
• Fluency in English is required.
• Minimum availability of six months and willingness to work on site in Gorinchem.

What we offer

• Internship or graduation fee and travel allowance paid during the assignment.
• Pleasant, dynamic, international work environment with an informal atmosphere.
• Mentoring at academic level throughout the internship.

Other

Provide a motivation letter that includes your preferred starting date and availability. The assignment is available year‑round, so we are flexible. Let us know which topic you want to take on – either as an internship or thesis project – as we have multiple areas of expertise. This information is required to consider your application.

Due to housing issues, we cannot accept international students that do not have accommodation in the Netherlands yet.

Recruiter: Liselotte van Veenendaal – [e-mail]. Please apply through the apply button; emails are not accepted due to GDPR reasons.