(Graduation) Internship Naval Ship Structural Design
Confirmed on the employer's own hiring board on Oct 18, 2026. First seen by Alion on Sep 30, 2026. Damen scores B on the Alion truth index.
We offer you an Ocean of Possibilities. Join our family.
About us
Hop aboard Damen Naval; the naval division of the family-owned Damen Shipyards Group, where 12,000 professionals work worldwide. Damen Naval delivers advanced naval vessels to clients all over the globe. By implementing the most innovative technological developments in practice, we continue to push the boundaries of the shipbuilding industry. You can be part of our team! Are you ready for duty?
Application details
The internship is full-time and takes place on-site in Vlissingen. If you're interested in starting a student project related to naval ship structural design, please submit your application. Ensure your application includes your CV, a curriculum detailing your achieved grades, and a motivation letter. Additionally, provide the following information:
- 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 in the subjects you have followed.
The role
The ability of naval vessels to resist operational loadings is one of the main design drivers for the structural design of these vessels. Operations in heavy seas induce huge loadings such as pressures, accelerations, bending moments and shear forces. Secondly, local loads coming from tank pressures, machineries, weapons, propellors, vibrations etcetera will also affect the local structural design. These operational ‘’varying’’ loads will cause structures to deform, yield, buckle and crack under cyclic loading (e.g fatigue).
Research in this field is ongoing to make these developments happen and determine how next generation of naval vessels can be optimized in terms of the structural design. In addition, supporting research is needed to provide tools and methods to further optimize the structural design.
Various graduate research or internship projects are available related to this topic, all projects are supported by subject matter experts within the company.Some possible subjects are:
- Plasticity, limit analysis and structural design (Global and local).
- Simulation driven structural design strategy for Naval vessels.
- Prediction of vibrations of global and local structures.
- Simplified method(s) for predicting ultimate limit states.
- Non-linear (dynamic) FEA to predict limit states.
- Optimal stress or strain calculation analysis techniques for fatigue predictions in Navy vessels.
- Dominant fatigue details in Naval vessels and possible improvements.
- Optimal fatigue design process for Naval vessels.
A combination of different subjects is part of the possibilities. Damen Naval can provide readily available assignments, but it is also possible to propose your own specific topic of interest.
Please indicate your preferences (or research topics of your own making) when sending us your application through our career website.
Key accountabilities
As an intern or graduate student at Damen Naval you may encounter multiple aspects related to vulnerability. Depending on the assignment, you are expected to select or develop the analysis methods and engineering tools needed to achieve your research goals.
You will be responsible from day one for the planning and execution of your research project. You are expected to deliver a detailed in-depth analysis of your research problem and meanwhile be able to communicate the results and conclusions to other departments.
Skills & experience
The perfect candidate for an internship or graduation project related to Naval vessel Vulnerability has the following characteristics:
- Top class student Master student Mechanical Engineering, Marine Engineering, Aerospace engineering, or Naval Architecture. Other equivalent fields of study may also apply or can be considered depending on the topic chosen for the assignment.
- Passionate about ships and shipbuilding.
- Passionate about military ships and striving to enhance safety on board of Navy vessels.
- Independent, curious, analytical, and proactive.
- Familiar with structural analysis and ship structural design (e.g. Solid mechanics, Structural Dynamics and ship structural details).
- Basic experience with simulation tools (e.g. Ansys, Femap , LS-Dyna) or have a proven ability and specific motivation to become familiar with this subject in a very short time.
- Able to use programming tools (e.g. Python, MATLAB).
- Capable of identifying and communicating with multiple stakeholders.
- Taking responsibility for your own planning and project management.
- Good command of the Dutch and English language both written and verbal.
What we offer
- A monthly allowance for the duration of the assignment.
- Proper mentoring at BSc or MSc level will be available throughout the project.
- The ability to test and enhance your professional- and social skills
- Acquired experience at a top tier company to add to your reference list.
Other
Are you interested in starting a student project related to propulsion-, energy-, and ship service systems, kindly submit your application along with your CV, curriculum with achieved Grades and motivation letter, along with an indication of:
- 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 in the subjects you have followed.
For more information about the vacancy or Damen Naval, please visit the Damen Naval website, the Damen Naval Career website or contact the Corporate Recruitment department via +31 118 485 000
Damen Naval does not approve commercial, contractor and/or agency or other commercial use of this advertisement. Proposing candidates without invitation is not appreciated and they will not be considered.