Autonomous Vehicles Testing & Optimization Intern

Job Title

Internship: Drive the next gen, testing & optimizing autonomous vehicles

Job description

Assignment type: Internship

Start date: February 2027

Assignment duration: 6 months

Location: Veghel

Education level: Bachelor / Master

Desired study: Mechatronics, industrial automation, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, systems and control

Language: Dutch / English

Description of assignment

At Vanderlande, we develop advanced Autonomous Vehicles (AVs) for dynamic environments, ranging from automated baggage transport at airports to pallet handling in warehouses. To continuously innovate, our multidisciplinary teams are currently developing a brand-new AV solution. As the first physical prototype arrives, it requires thorough testing, performance analysis, and optimization against strict operational requirements.

In this hands-on internship, you will join our AV development team to test, analyze, and define technical improvements for this new vehicle type. Depending on your background, your focus can lean towards mechanics, electronics, or control software. You will combine physical test center activities with virtual simulations and calculations to help take our autonomous handling solutions to the next level.

Department description

You will join the AV and Robotics team within Vanderlande's Technology department in Veghel.

Our team consists of around 10 passionate specialists working on robotics and autonomous vehicles, collaborating closely with international engineering colleagues in North America and India.

Tasks/responsibilities

• Work alongside a multidisciplinary team on autonomous vehicle developments
• Conduct hands-on testing in our test center and perform virtual simulations
• Analyze technical issues and formulate concrete improvement proposals to boost AV performance
• Support the team with daily engineering tasks, performance calculations, and field observations
• Present your test findings and recommendations to the development team

Your profile

• Strong analytical skills and a passionate team player mindset
• Hands-on attitude and enthusiasm for working in a practical test center environment
• Clear affinity with robotics, autonomous vehicles, and industrial automation
• Comfortable communicating in English within an international team environment
• *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

Contact

Do you recognize yourself in this challenging profile? Are you looking for an internship in our organization? Please fill out the application form and upload your resume and cover letter. For more information, contact us by e-mail: internship@vanderlande.com.