823 Damen Research Development & Innovation B.V.
We offer you an Ocean of Possibilities. Join our family.
About us
Damen aims to become the world's most sustainable and digitally connected shipyard. The Research, Development & Innovation (RD&I) department develops and implements the technology and know-how to achieve these ambitions. We actively assist the business in creating an innovative product portfolio and provide forward-thinking guidance to improve the quality and performance of Damen's products and services. You will be joining the Data Science team within Damen RD&I, located in Gorinchem. Our department focuses on applying cutting-edge data and AI solutions to Damen’s shipbuilding and maritime operations. The team includes domain experts in physics-informed machine learning, simulation acceleration, predictive maintenance, computer vision, and operational analytics. This internship is part of a strategic project aimed at accelerating complex simulations for ship performance using machine learning and graph-based AI.
The role
As an intern, you will work on the Fast Physics project, which aims to drastically reduce the runtime of high-fidelity computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations of ship hulls. These simulations are essential in predicting how a vessel behaves in water, but they can take hours to compute. Instead of running time-consuming physics-based simulations, we use geometric deep learning, a type of machine learning that can learn from vessel designs and quickly estimate results like water resistance or flow around the hull. The outcome is a working prototype that can support early-stage design exploration and simulation optimization.
You will contribute to enhancing the performance of an existing system that predicts physical quantities, such as ship resistance and flow fields, based on geometry and operating conditions. Your primary focus will be on a dedicated topic involving the training, validation, and extension of the framework to support multiple ship types and/or varying levels of simulation fidelity. The assignment can be a thesis/graduate internship and could start from September onwards.
Key accountabilities
You will be responsible for the following aspects:
Skills & Experience
We are looking for a student who:
What we offer
Other
Are you ready to sail into your new adventure at Damen? Don’t hesitate, send us your motivation letter and resume here.
Due to housing issues we cannot accept international students that do not have accommodation in the Netherlands yet.
Recruiter:
Email:
liselotte.van.veenendaal@damen.comPlease apply through the Apply Button. Due to GDPR reasons we cannot accept applications by email.

Working at Damen: building the future of the maritime world
Do you want to work in the maritime sector and contribute to meaningful work? At Damen, you work together on ships and solutions that matter, built to last.
About Damen as an employer
Damen is an international family-owned company with strong roots in the Netherlands. With more than 12,000 colleagues worldwide, we have been building all kinds of ships and maritime solutions for generations, from workboats to naval vessels and innovative solutions for offshore and energy. We take a long-term view and work together on solutions that not only work today, but also for future generations.
Building craftsmanship together
You can see this in how we work. We keep communication simple and direct, and you have the space to take ownership. Your ideas are taken seriously, and craftsmanship is at the center of what we do. Whether you work in engineering, shipbuilding, offshore, or in the office, you help build solutions where quality and pride are key.
Working on solutions that last
The maritime sector is changing fast. That is why Damen invests in innovation and sustainability. You work on projects that really matter, such as:
sustainable ship designs and alternative fuels
smart and digital solutions for ships and processes
projects that support safety, logistics, and energy supply
What you build has real impact and is made to last.
Room to grow
At Damen, you get the space to grow and take initiative. Whether you are just starting or already experienced, you work in an environment where people share knowledge and learn from each other. You grow in your role and take on more responsibility.
You can count on:
many opportunities to learn and develop
projects with an international focus
an environment where your ideas are taken seriously
What Damen offers you
Working at Damen means working on projects that matter, in an environment where you are part of something bigger.
You can count on:
a stable company with international impact
a down-to-earth and friendly working culture
challenging work in the maritime sector
an organization that looks ahead, for you and for the projects you work on
Why Damen?
Because you work on ships and solutions you can be proud of, with a team that supports each other and builds results that last.
Ready to come on board?
Discover your opportunities and experience what it is like to work at Damen.
Facts about
Number of employees: 9.000+
Sector: Yacht building, Marine Energy, Maritime, Offshore, Shipbuilding & repair
Preferred educational level: Vmbo, Mbo, Hbo, Wo bachelor, Wo master
Career level: Student, Starter (< 3 years), Young professional (3-5 years), Professional (5-10 years), Senior professional (>10 years)
Preferred education: Engineering (Maritime, Mechanical, Electrical), Shipbuilding, Supply Chain & Logistics, and Business & Support functions (e.g. Finance, HR, IT, Marketing)
Open vacancies: Check career.damen.com