Your role in the story
Are you a final-year student with a passion for offshore engineering and looking for a graduation assignment that makes real impact? Join us and become part of a team that works on complex and large-scale offshore projects within one of our engineering disciplines. Kick-start your career with a graduation project in the heart of Mechanical Engineering. As a graduation student, you’ll dive into a challenging assignment that contributes directly to our operations, innovation efforts, or future developments. You'll be guided by experienced engineers and exposed to the practical world of offshore engineering, from concept development to project execution.
What’s the challenge
Safety is non-negotiable in offshore operations and drives continuous improvement. Transferring personnel between floating vessels or between a vessel and a fixed structure presents unique risks. While Walk-to-Work (W2W) gangways have gained traction, Heerema Marine Contractors primarily uses crane-lifted crew baskets for their flexibility and reach. However, this method could pose safety concerns during lifting and landing, especially in rough seas or limited landing zones. We’re looking to rethink this system, enhancing safety, reducing landing area requirements, by integrating dynamic control.
Your mission & goals
- Investigate the current crew basket system and identify safety risks
- Analyze motion behavior of the basket and relative vessel/structure dynamics
- Define technical and operational requirements for a next-gen transfer system
- Ideate and evaluate new crane-operated transfer concepts (diverge/converge)
- Specify hardware and software needs for dynamic control integration
- Develop a proof-of-concept design that improves safety and landing precision
- Deliverables include:
- A thesis/design document validating system performance and safety
- If applicable (depending on design): Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) document of the new design
- Recommendations for future implementation.
What you’ll gain
- Experience with developing of offshore equipment, gaining the following knowledge/experience:
- Exposure to operational challenges in marine environments
- Dynamics in a marine environment
- Mechanical design in a marine environment
- Software (pending personal skills and design solution): CAD software, FEM software, dynamic marine analysis software (e.g., OrcaFlex)
- Collaboration with expert engineers and real-world project teams.
Is this you?
- You’re currently pursuing a MSc. in Mechanical Engineering, Marine Technology, or Aerospace Engineering
- You have a strong interest in mechanical design, control systems, and the dynamic behavior of vessels
- You bring technical skills in systems & control, solid knowledge of mechanical design and dynamics, and a basic understanding of structural design (FEM)
- You’re fluent in English
- You have an autonomous, curious, enthusiastic, and practical mindset
Practical Information
Start date: February 2026, flexible upon agreement
Duration: 6–9 months
Location: Leiden office
What we offer
- A meaningful assignment aligned with your academic goals
- Guidance from experienced engineers and sustainability experts
- Access to cutting-edge tools and vessel data systems
- A monthly internship allowance
- Potential career opportunities within HMC
Ready to graduate with impact? Apply now and take the first step toward your offshore engineering career!
We are looking forward to hearing from you. We are interested in your CV, but we mainly want to find out more about your ambitions, your personality, and what is your motivation to succeed. So be sure to include a brief cover letter explaining why you are the perfect fit for this graduation assignment. You’ll hear from us no later than the end of October.
So hit the button, apply, and make the impossible possible with Heerema. We’d love to meet you!