Graduation: From Model to Machine, Making Control Software More Transparent for Engineers

Job Title

Graduation: From model to machine, making control software more transparent for engineers

Job Description

Assignment type: Graduation

Start date: February 2026

Assignment duration: 6 months

Location: Veghel

Education level: Bachelor

Desired study: Mechatronics & electrical engineering, mechanical engineering & applied physics, software engineering & embedded systems

Language: Dutch / English

Description of assignment

At Vanderlande, we serve customers worldwide by building highly flexible material handling systems out of configurable building blocks. To drive these systems, our Model Based Design (MBD) workflow uses tools like MATLAB/Simulink to develop and test controllers in virtual environments before generating code for various PLC platforms (such as Siemens PLC, Allen-Bradley PLC, and C++). While automated code generation enables versatile deployment, it often makes the generated code unreadable for controls engineers on customer sites, leaving them heavily reliant on basic interface statistics during troubleshooting.

In this hands-on project, you will explore new ways to make control software transparent and accessible for site engineers. Focusing on solutions like Simatic Target for Simulink, you will investigate how engineers can deploy generated code while maintaining visual access to the original model. You will analyze current MBD workflows, test new tools on existing OT modules, and evaluate how this way of working improves debugging efficiency and commissioning on site.

Department description

You will join the Model Based Design (MBD) team within the Technology department, where we develop reusable Operational Technology (OT) modules applied across Vanderlande's global solution portfolio. Our team bridges systems engineering, simulation, software development, and industrial automation.

Working alongside experienced control and software engineers, you will perform practical experiments combining virtual plants, MATLAB/Simulink models, and Siemens PLC hardware. Depending on project progress, you may even validate your findings on real material handling equipment.

Tasks/responsibilities

• Analyze and map the advantages and limitations of the current Model Based Design workflow

• Set up and configure Simatic Target for Simulink within an existing testing environment

• Apply and test the proposed technology on an existing MBD OT module

• Design and execute comparative experiments to evaluate usability, debugging, and commissioning efficiency

• Document your research findings and present clear recommendations to the MBD team and key stakeholders

Your profile

• Practical experience with MATLAB/Simulink is required

• Familiarity or strong interest in embedded controls, PLCs, or industrial automation

• Motivated to learn new skills in software modeling, system analysis, and real-time control validation

• Strong analytical mindset and ability to work independently on engineering challenges

• *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): €500 per month for a bachelor student

• 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.