Stage - Automated ECU Software Download Cell

Transport is at the core of modern society. Imagine using your expertise to shape sustainable transport and infrastructure solutions for the future. If you seek to make a difference on a global scale, working with next-gen technologies and the sharpest collaborative teams, then we could be a perfect match. 

Our truck factory in Ghent is the largest Volvo Group truck factory worldwide. Every day, almost 3000 colleagues assemble top-quality trucks here. Innovation and continuous improvement are standard on our agenda, and that from day 1. We therefore firmly believe in the philosophy of Lean Manufacturing, in which attention to quality, safety and the environment are our top priority. Our site today has many different departments, but we all have one thing in common: passion for what we do. 

For our engineering department we are looking for an intern or thesis student to work on the following project:

Main objective of the study

•    Investigate how to develop a fully automated dark factory cell that:
•    ECUs automatically from supplier packaging.
•    ECU type.
•    Correct software downloads to the ECU.
•    Download result validates.
•    ECUs per truck in a black box.
•    Automatically sends the bin to the correct assembly station via AGV.
•    Can work without an operator.

More specifically:

1. Mapping the current process
   •    For each of the 10 or more  ECUs document: supplier, dimensions, weight, connector type, programming time, SWDL fixture and label information.
   •    Internal logistic process (to SWDL area and to assemblystation)
   •    What programming tools (fixtures, adapters) are used?
   
   
2. Studying the future ECU programming process
   •    Can the manual process be replaced handled via a robot or cobot?
   •    Explore vision camera solutions such as Cognex, Keyence, and SICK.
   •    How much space is needed
   •    IS/IT infrastructure needed
   •    Do they support bulk SWDL?
   •    Determine if each ECU can be programmed fully automatically without an operator.
3. Define business case
   •    Define investment budget
   •    What will be the productivity improvement
   •    What will be the quality improvement
   •    Riskassesment
   •    Return on investment
   
   

Requirements:

• You are a Master's student in (electro)mechanical engineering
• You speak Dutch and English fluently

This project is available for academic year 2026-2027.

We value your data privacy and therefore do not accept applications via mail. 

Who we are and what we believe in 
We are committed to shaping the future landscape of efficient, safe, and sustainable transport solutions. Fulfilling our mission creates countless career opportunities for talents across the group’s leading brands and entities.

Applying to this job offers you the opportunity to join Volvo Group. Every day, you will be working with some of the sharpest and most creative brains in our field to be able to leave our society in better shape for the next generation. ​We are passionate about what we do, and we thrive on teamwork. ​We are almost 100,000 people united around the world by a culture of care, inclusiveness, and empowerment. 

Trucks Technology & Industrial Division hire team players who are ready to create real customer impact. Our decentralized teams work close to our customers, with speed and autonomy, to build what they truly need. 
Join us to collaborate on innovative, sustainable technologies that redefine how we design, build, and deliver value. Bring your curiosity, your expertise, and your collaborative energy, and together, we’ll turn bold ideas into tangible solutions for our customers and contribute to a more sustainable tomorrow.