Automation & Robotics for Tray Handling Intern

Apply at Philips

Drachten
Philips

Posted on December 10, 2025

Job Title

Internship: Automation & Robotics for Tray Handling

Job Description

Start Date: January/February 2026

Duration: at least 6 months

Type: Internship (can be discussed for thesis or shared assignment)

Weekly Presence: 40h

Location: Drachten

Internship: Automation & Robotics for Tray Handling

We are looking for an enthusiastic and talented intern to join one of the staff departments of Philips Personal Health in Drachten. In this role, you will work on automating the handling of plastic parts from molding machines, focusing on the efficient loading and unloading of trays within trolleys. This project addresses a key challenge in LEAN production processes and aims to improve efficiency and reliability in manufacturing. You will design concepts, build and test demonstrator setups, and explore advanced technologies such as vision systems and force feedback. As part of the Innovation Cluster Drachten (ICD) robotics lab, you will collaborate with experts and use state-of-the-art equipment like UR5 and Omron TM cobots, supported by internal resources for custom components and 3D printing. This internship offers hands-on experience in a dynamic environment with continuous product innovation and process improvement.

Your role:

Design a concept for automated tray handling
Build and test a demonstrator setup using collaborative robots (cobots)
Explore vision and/or force feedback systems for reliable automation
Set up experiments in the ICD SKILL robotics lab
Utilize equipment such as UR5 or Omron TM cobots
Collaborate with internal model shop for custom grippers and components using 3D printing
Work on-site and remotely as needed

You're the right fit if:

You are a Master’s student in Industrial Engineering and Management, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Robotics, or Physics
You have affinity with production environments
You are fluent in Dutch or English (spoken and written)
You are eager to learn, pragmatic, a team player, flexible, and stress-resistant
You have affinity with programming (preferred)

How we work together

We believe that we are better together than apart. For our office-based teams, this means working in-person at least 3 days per week. Onsite roles require full-time presence in the company’s facilities. Field roles are most effectively done outside of the company’s main facilities, generally at the customers’ or suppliers’ locations.

Monthly full-time allowance between €500 - €700 gross, depending on educational level and if you would need to relocate to The Netherlands. If you will perform a part-time internship you will receive the allowance pro-rata.

Housing compensation, in case of relocating to the vicinity of the office, €300,- net if location is in the vicinity of Amsterdam, €255,- net for all other Philips locations. You need to provide a rental contract of the land lord, and your normal home-work travel distance need to be more than 50 km or travel time (one way trip) need to be more than 1.5 hours. Travel compensation, if you are not eligible for a free public transport card; you will receive max. €192,- net. Paid holidays per internship term.

About Philips

We are a health technology company. We built our entire company around the belief that every human matters, and we won't stop until everybody everywhere has access to the quality healthcare that we all deserve. Do the work of your life to help the lives of others.

• Learn more about our business.

• Discover our rich and exciting history.

• Learn more about our purpose.

If you’re interested in this role and have many, but not all, of the experiences needed, we encourage you to apply. You may still be the right candidate for this or other opportunities at Philips. Learn more about our commitment to diversity and inclusion here.

#LI-OFFICE