Internship – Damen Naval – Materials, Structures and Vulnerability

Opis stanowiska

The internship is full-time and takes place on-site in Vlissingen. If you’re interested in starting a student project related to ship survivability, Damen Naval invites you to apply.

Please include the following in your application:

• CV
• Curriculum detailing your achieved grades
• Motivation letter
• Requested position (internship or graduation assignment)
• Your preferred topic or suggestions for topics
• Availability (fulltime / part-time / number of hours)
• Notice period / possible starting date
• List of grades to provide insight into the subjects you have followed

The Role

As a graduation intern at Damen Naval, you will contribute to the cutting-edge research and development of naval vessels. Your work will focus on enhancing ship performance, survivability, and structural integrity through advanced simulation, monitoring, and design methodologies. Depending on your interests and expertise, you may work in areas such as:

• Digital hull monitoring and fatigue analysis
• Shock survivability
• Fluid-structure interaction

Opportunities include:

• Selecting and developing engineering tools and analysis methods tailored to your research goals
• Collaborating with subject matter experts across departments
• Proposing your own topic or choosing from a range of ready-made assignments

Key Accountabilities

• Research Planning & Execution: Take ownership of your project from day one, including scoping, scheduling, and delivery
• Technical Analysis: Perform in-depth simulations and modeling using high-fidelity tools to analyze structural, hydrodynamic, and shock-related phenomena
• Innovation & Optimization: Develop new methodologies or improve existing ones for fatigue prediction, load modeling, or survivability design
• Communication: Present findings and recommendations clearly to multidisciplinary teams, contributing to Damen Naval’s broader innovation goals

Skills & Experience

The ideal candidate will have:

• Enrollment in Mechanical Engineering, Marine Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or Naval Architecture (other relevant technical disciplines may be considered depending on topic)
• Familiarity with structural mechanics, hydrodynamics, fatigue, shock/blast response, and ship motions
• Experience or strong motivation to learn simulation tools such as:
  • FEA/Structural: Ansys, Femap, LS-Dyna
  • CFD/Hydro: OpenFOAM, Comflow, Seakeeping tools, Ansys Aqwa
• Programming skills (e.g., Python, MATLAB) for data analysis and tool development
• Fluent in Dutch and English (written and verbal)
• Permanent EU citizenship and passport, as required by the military nature of our projects
• Excellent academic references (security screening applies)
• An independent, curious, and proactive mindset with strong analytical skills and a passion for shipbuilding and naval innovation
• Good communication skills and the ability to manage planning and project progress responsibly

What We Offer

• A monthly allowance for the duration of the assignment
• Proper mentoring throughout the project
• The opportunity to test and enhance professional and social skills
• Valuable experience at a top-tier company to add to your reference list

Application & Information

Interested? Please submit your application including CV and motivation letter, along with:

• Requested position (internship or graduation assignment)
• Your preferred topic or suggestions for topics
• Availability (fulltime / part-time / number of hours)
• Possible / desired starting date
• List of grades to provide insight into the subjects you have followed