Internship | Design and manufacturing of custom parts beyond 3D

This internship focuses on exploring new ways to fabricate advanced lightweight composite parts using additive manufacturing technologies. Many high-performance composite products, such as vehicle bumpers and suspension components, have complex curved shapes rather than simple flat surfaces. Today, these parts are often produced using manual manufacturing methods that offer a great deal of flexibility. However, bringing this same flexibility to automated production remains a significant challenge. Your role will be to step into creative ways of designing and manufacturing parts taking advantage of uniquely development equipment.

As an intern at our Sustainable Mobility group, you will work alongside researchers who are developing new manufacturing technologies for advanced thermoplastic composite materials. A key part of your project will be using programming and computational design tools to create custom deposition paths and material layouts that go beyond what is possible with conventional 3D printing slicers. These tailored strategies will enable additive manufacturing on curved and complex surfaces, opening up new possibilities for the production of high-performance composite components. You will have the opportunity to translate your digital designs into physical parts using state-of-the-art additive manufacturing equipment and validate their performance through hands-on experiments. By combining programming, design, and experimental work, you will play an active role in shaping the next generation of composite manufacturing processes.

We are looking for a motivated student who enjoys combining creativity with technology into applications. Students with a background in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Design Engineering, or a related field will be well positioned to get started on this project. A hands-on, curious and proactive mindset will help you thrive in this project.

• Familiarity with languages such as Python, and computational design or visual scripting tools such as Grasshopper is highly desirable.
• Basic CAD modelling and drawing skills.
• Previous experience with additive manufacturing or robotics
• Available for a minimum duration of 6 months

If you enjoy exploring unconventional ideas, experimenting with new technologies, and turning concepts into practical solutions, you will likely find this project rewarding.

An internship at TNO means working in an environment where substance and impact are central. You will become part of a knowledge organisation where research and practice come together, and where experts collaborate on solutions to current societal and technological challenges.

Your internship is a period in which you can discover what suits you, where your strengths lie and what you would like to learn next. You are part of a professional working environment, gain insight into how things work in practice, and have the opportunity to build experience that goes beyond this internship alone. For many students, an internship is therefore also a first step in discovering whether TNO could be a potential next step after graduation.

In addition, we offer you:

• A professional and innovative internship environment in which you actively contribute to societal and technological challenges, working alongside leading experts in your field.
• Personal and dedicated supervision, with focus on your learning objectives, development and study assignment.
• Room to develop: you gain relevant work experience, develop both your subject‑specific and professional skills, and build a valuable network.
• Use of a laptop and the facilities you need to perform your work effectively.
• A monthly internship allowance of € 615 for a full-time internship, for MSc, BSc and vocational education (MBO) students.
• Up to eight hours of leave per internship month for a full-time internship, allowing you to balance your internship with your studies and personal life.
• A contribution towards travel expenses if you are not entitled to a student travel card.
• A free membership to Jong TNO: the network for young colleagues, where you can meet other TNO colleagues and participate in sports activities, professional and personal development activities, and social events such as the annual ski trip.

Our people are at the heart of TNO. Their curiosity, expertise and entrepreneurial mindset make it possible to deliver high-impact research and innovations that contribute to society’s sustainable wellbeing and prosperity. That is why we invest in an inspiring and inclusive working environment where colleagues can excel, have autonomy and continue to grow.

Your talent and ambition have every opportunity to flourish at TNO. You work with experts (both within and beyond TNO), have access to advanced technology and the freedom to explore, experiment and innovate. Our strength lies in independence, reliability and collaboration. We find each other in wonder and ingenuity. We are driven to push boundaries. By working with businesses and government, and by connecting different perspectives, we strengthen our innovative capability and create responsible, meaningful results.

At TNO, we believe this is our time to help society, government and business move forward faster. Together with driven colleagues, you turn knowledge into concrete innovations or ventures that truly make a difference by combining the power of science and entrepreneurship. And in doing so, you make your mark on our time.

You can apply for this internship position until the 2nd of October, 2026. After submitting your application, you will receive a confirmation by email.

TNO will arrange an appropriate internship agreement. If you have any questions about the content of the internship or the application procedure, you can contact the person listed below.

If you start an internship with us, we will also ask you to provide a Certificate of Conduct (VOG).

Important to know before applying:

• Before the start of the internship, an internship agreement must be signed. For students enrolled at a Dutch university or university of applied sciences, TNO uses the UNL-template, supplemented with several TNO‑specific agreements. For students from foreign educational institutions and MBO (secondary vocational education) programmes, the TNO internship agreement applies. TNO does not sign any other internship agreements.
• Before the start of the internship, the educational institution will need to confirm in writing that:
  1. you are enrolled at the educational institution for the duration of the internship, and;
  2. the internship forms part of your study programme.

The confirmation of educational institution takes place by signing the UNL template or forms prepared by TNO.

• Interns at TNO must have a registered residential address in the Netherlands at the start of the internship. Carrying out internship activities from abroad is not possible.
• Are you an international student? Please note that you must have a BSN (Dutch citizen service number) before the start of your internship. Applying for a BSN can take several weeks, so make sure to start this process well in advance.