Research Internship: Protocol Analysis for Automotive Immobilizer Systems

NavInfo Europe BV; Eindhoven; On-site; EUR 6,700 - 12,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive monthly internship allowance

Commuter allowance

Job summary

A specialized automotive cybersecurity firm in Eindhoven is offering a three-month research internship focused on analyzing communication protocols for automotive immobilizer systems. Interns will engage in hands-on reverse engineering tasks, with a focus on communication protocols like CAN and FlexRay. Ideal candidates have experience with Arduino or Raspberry Pi and a basic understanding of hardware protocols. A competitive internship allowance will be provided, with opportunities for growth within the firm.

Qualifications

• Ideal candidates should have experience with Arduino or Raspberry Pi.
• Basic understanding of hardware protocols is necessary.
• Candidates should possess some knowledge in electronics and programming.
• Interest in automotive security and communication systems.
• Experience with logic analyzers or RF capture equipment is a plus.
• Familiarity with embedded debugging or reverse engineering is helpful.

Responsibilities

• Work with automotive immobilizer hardware and its components.
• Discover and analyze various communication protocols.
• Document findings and create visual representations of data flows.
• Develop small utilities to help with the analysis process.
• Present findings in clear, concise documentation.
• Participate in regular team meetings to share progress.

Skills

Experience with Arduino

Basic understanding of hardware protocols

Some electronics knowledge

Interest in automotive security

Programming

Automotive security interest

Tools

Logic analyzers

RF capture equipment

Embedded debugging

Job description

Project Overview

We're offering a three-month research internship to analyze communication protocols used in a prototype automotive immobilizer system.

This project involves reverse engineering and cracking various protocols, including:

• Inter-chip communications (SPI, I²C)
• Automotive networks (CAN, FlexRay, Automotive Ethernet)
• Wireless technologies (433MHz RF, NFC, possibly UWB)

You'll use tools like logic analyzers and proprietary capture systems to decode these communications and develop utilities to assist in the analysis process. The system also includes a cellular component, providing additional learning opportunities, though prior cellular experience is not required.

Who We Are

We're a specialized cybersecurity team working on safety-critical automotive systems. Our expertise includes reverse engineering complex platforms to uncover vulnerabilities and designing security solutions from the ground up.

What You'll Do

• Work with automotive immobilizer hardware and its components
• Discover and analyze various communication protocols
• Document findings and create visual representations of data flows
• Develop small utilities to help with the analysis process
• Present findings in clear, concise documentation
• Participate in regular team meetings to share progress

Location & Logistics

• This internship is for on-site participation at our Eindhoven office in the Netherlands, due to the hands‑on nature of hardware research.
• The internship lasts for three months, with the possibility of extension or transitioning to a junior position (typically starting with a one-year contract) for exceptional candidates.
• Preferred start date ASAP.
• You will receive a competitive monthly internship allowance, and commuter allowance to accommodate your learning efforts.

Technical Background We're Looking For

Ideal candidates have:

• Experience with Arduino, Raspberry Pi, or similar microcontroller projects
• Basic understanding of hardware protocols
• Some electronics and programming knowledge
• Interest in automotive security and communication systems

Beneficial but not required:

• Experience with logic analyzers or RF capture equipment
• Knowledge of automotive networks or wireless technologies
• Familiarity with embedded debugging or reverse engineering

Application Process

To apply, please send:

• Your CV/resume highlighting relevant projects or coursework
• A 1-page cover letter explaining your interest in this project
• Sample(s) from your portfolio: source code (any language of your choice) any hardware projects you've worked on (if available)

Applications are reviewed immediately.

Interested?

Does this profile describe you, and are you interested in this internship program with the potential to grow within the team? Please apply!

You can expect a challenging paid internship with professional guidance. For more information, reach out to Rob Lepsi via [e-mail]

Unsolicited services or offers from recruitment agencies or intermediaries will not be responded to!