UAV Robotics/Mechatronics Intern – Drone Prototyping, Integration & Field Testing

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UAV Robotics/Mechatronics Intern – Drone Prototyping, Integration & Field Testing

Company: Fiducial

Location: Delft, South Holland, Netherlands

Job Type: FULL_TIME, INTERN

Category: Engineering / Robotics / Mechatronics

Date Posted: 2025-12-19

Experience Level: 0-2 Years (Internship)

Remote Status: Hybrid (3 days in office, 2 days remote)

🚀 Role Summary

• This internship focuses on hands-on hardware development for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) within a deep-tech startup environment developing advanced on-board situational awareness software for military applications.

• The role involves significant practical work with drone platforms, including building, integrating, and testing various hardware components, sensors, and compute boards.

• Candidates will gain exposure to real-world R&D projects, working closely with experienced engineers in a fast-paced, innovative setting at the Aerospace Innovation Hub in Delft.

• This is a highly practical, "get your hands dirty" position where the intern will actively participate in drone flight testing and troubleshooting, contributing directly to product development.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the job title specifies "UAV Robotics/Mechatronics Intern," and the description is heavily focused on hardware, the company's core business is "software for advanced on-board UAV situational awareness." This suggests the hardware intern's work will directly support the development and testing of this software, providing a crucial link between physical systems and the company's AI/software capabilities. The role is suitable for individuals with a strong practical aptitude in electronics and mechanics, rather than pure software development.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Construct and integrate diverse hardware components, including sensors, compute boards (e.g., Jetson, Orange Pi), and flight controllers (e.g., ArduPilot), onto operational drone platforms.

• Fabricate custom physical parts such as wiring harnesses, adapters, mounting solutions, and housings through methods like soldering, assembly, and 3D printing.

• Deploy and debug embedded perception software on target hardware, ensuring seamless integration with the physical drone systems.

• Conduct rigorous outdoor flight testing of drone prototypes, actively participating in flight operations and data collection.

• Systematically troubleshoot hardware and software issues, implementing rapid iterations and improvements to enhance system reliability and performance.

• Collaborate with the engineering team to transform conceptual designs into functional, physical prototypes through rapid iteration and hands-on experimentation.

• Document build processes, test results, and troubleshooting steps to contribute to knowledge sharing and future development efforts.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a strong "build, test, break, fix, iterate" cycle, typical of rapid prototyping and R&D environments in hardware-centric deep-tech startups. The mention of "ArduPilot," "Jetson," and "Orange Pi" indicates a focus on open-source flight control software and popular embedded computing platforms, which are common in drone development.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

• Demonstrated hands-on experience in building, modifying, or flying drones, RC systems, or similar robotic/electronic projects, regardless of formal experience level.

Required Skills:

• Basic proficiency with Linux operating systems for embedded development and troubleshooting.

• A strong interest in Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), robotics, embedded systems, or autonomous systems.

• English language proficiency for effective communication within the team and with partners.

• Demonstrated organizational skills and a proactive, self-starting attitude.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with flight controllers such as ArduPilot or PX4.

• Familiarity with embedded compute boards like NVIDIA Jetson or Raspberry Pi/Orange Pi.

• Proficiency in CAD software for designing 3D printable parts.

• Experience with 3D printing techniques and post-processing.

• Practical soldering skills for electronics assembly and repair.

• Possession of a driver's license.

• Holding a drone pilot license.

• Experience with specific hardware components like Electronic Speed Controllers (ESCs) and power distribution boards.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company explicitly states they "don’t care about grades — we care about what you’ve made." This strongly suggests that a portfolio showcasing personal projects, builds, and practical achievements will be significantly more impactful than academic transcripts alone. Applicants should be prepared to showcase their practical work.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Project Showcase: A collection of photos, videos, and detailed descriptions of personal drone builds, FPV rigs, electronics projects, or other relevant hardware creations.

• Technical Documentation: Links to GitHub repositories or similar platforms demonstrating any relevant coding, custom firmware, or system configurations.

• CAD/3D Printing Examples: Visual evidence of CAD designs and 3D-printed parts that have been successfully implemented in projects.

• Problem-Solving Case Studies: Examples of instances where you encountered and successfully resolved technical challenges related to hardware integration, electronics, or flight control.

Process Documentation:

• While formal process documentation is less expected for an intern, demonstrating an understanding of structured problem-solving, iteration cycles, and documenting one's own work will be beneficial. This can be shown through clear explanations of past project workflows and troubleshooting methodologies.

• For candidates with prior project experience, showcasing how they approached system setup, calibration, and testing procedures will be advantageous.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "what you've made" translates directly into portfolio requirements. Candidates should curate their portfolio to highlight tangible outputs and practical skills rather than theoretical knowledge. Clear, concise explanations of the challenges faced and solutions implemented in their projects will be crucial.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Benefits:

• 10 vacation days during the internship period.

• Flexible working hours, allowing for better work-life balance and personal project management.

• Opportunity to work from home up to 2 days per week, providing flexibility and accommodating different work styles.

• Direct and significant influence on innovative products, offering a high level of impact for an intern.

• Fast iteration cycles with tight feedback loops, ensuring continuous learning and rapid skill development.

Working Hours:

• Full-time (5 days/week), with flexible working hours. The total weekly hours are not explicitly stated but are implied to be standard full-time (e.g., 40 hours/week).

📝 Enhancement Note: The monthly compensation of €1,000 is competitive for a 6-month internship in the Netherlands, especially within a startup environment. The benefits package, particularly the flexible hours and remote work option, are attractive for interns seeking a good work-life balance and autonomy. The company's culture of "innovating, learning is to be expected" and "responsibility over the things you implement" suggests a dynamic and engaging work environment where interns can truly contribute.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Deep-Tech, Autonomous Systems, Defence Technology, Robotics, Software Development.

Company Size: Fiducial is described as a "young but fast-growing deep-tech start-up." While an exact employee count isn't provided, this implies a relatively small, agile team, likely under 50 employees, with a dynamic and evolving structure.

Founded: The company is "young," suggesting a recent founding date, likely within the last few years, emphasizing its startup nature and rapid growth trajectory.

Team Structure:

• The team comprises engineers with diverse backgrounds in Aerospace Engineering, Computational Science and Engineering, Robotics, and Computer Graphics, fostering a multidisciplinary environment.

• The office is located within the Aerospace Innovation Hub at the TU Delft campus, indicating close ties with academia and a vibrant ecosystem of innovation.

• The culture is characterized by passion for technology, with team members deeply invested in their work, sometimes even outside of standard working hours.

Methodology:

• The company operates at the intersection of innovation and deployment, engaging in both formal R&D programs and rapid prototyping tracks.

• They focus on developing scalable solutions using low-cost and widely available sensors and compute.

• The core business involves creating advanced on-board UAV situational awareness software for military applications.

Company Website: https://www.fdcl.nl/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's deep-tech focus and military application niche suggest a culture that values innovation, technical rigor, and a results-oriented approach. The location within TU Delft's Aerospace Innovation Hub signifies a connection to cutting-edge research and a hub of entrepreneurial activity.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is an internship role, typically for students or recent graduates. It provides foundational experience in a specialized technical field, serving as a crucial stepping stone for careers in robotics, mechatronics, UAV development, or related engineering disciplines.

Reporting Structure: The intern will likely report to a senior engineer or team lead within the hardware or R&D team. Given the startup environment, direct interaction with founders and principal engineers is also probable.

Operations Impact: Although this role is hardware-focused, its impact is directly tied to the company's mission of developing advanced UAV situational awareness software. Successful hardware integration and testing are critical for validating software performance and enabling the company to deliver its innovative solutions to clients, particularly in the defence sector. The intern's contributions will directly influence the feasibility and performance of the company's technological offerings.

Growth Opportunities:

• Technical Skill Development: Deepen expertise in UAV hardware, electronics, flight controllers, embedded systems, 3D printing, and soldering.

• Industry Exposure: Gain invaluable experience in the deep-tech startup ecosystem, particularly in defence and autonomy sectors.

• Networking: Build connections with experienced engineers, researchers, and potential future collaborators within the TU Delft innovation hub and the broader industry.

• Career Foundation: Develop a strong portfolio and practical experience that can lead to full-time engineering roles, further internships, or academic research opportunities.

• Direct Impact: Contribute to cutting-edge projects with tangible results, seeing one's work deployed in real-world applications.

📝 Enhancement Note: This internship is positioned as a practical learning experience rather than a traditional operational role. The "growth" is primarily in hands-on technical skills and industry exposure. The company's emphasis on "learning is to be expected" and giving interns "responsibility over the things you implement" indicates a supportive environment for skill acquisition.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The office is located within the Aerospace Innovation Hub, a collaborative startup hub on the TU Delft campus. This suggests a modern, dynamic workspace likely featuring shared amenities and a community of innovative companies.

Office Location(s): Aerospace Innovation Hub, Delft, the Netherlands. This location places the intern within a prestigious academic and technological ecosystem.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The hub setting fosters interaction with other startups and researchers, promoting a cross-pollination of ideas and potential collaborations.

• Hands-on Facilities: Expect access to labs, workshops, and prototyping equipment, including 3D printers, soldering stations, and testing grounds necessary for drone development.

• Team Interaction: Close-knit team structure within a startup means frequent direct interaction with senior engineers, fostering mentorship and rapid learning.

• Technology Access: The company utilizes modern embedded systems (Jetson, Orange Pi), flight controllers (ArduPilot), and likely associated software development tools.

Work Schedule:

• Full-time (5 days/week) with "really flexible working hours."

• Option to work from home 2 days per week, making it a hybrid arrangement. This flexibility allows interns to manage their schedules effectively, balancing project work with study commitments or personal time.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Aerospace Innovation Hub" environment is a significant draw, suggesting access to state-of-the-art facilities and a community of forward-thinking individuals. The hybrid work model combined with flexible hours offers a modern and adaptable work experience.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Application: Submission of a resume, website, or any other clear demonstration of background and skills. The company explicitly values "what you've made" over grades.

• Informal Introduction: If the initial application is a good fit, an informal meeting will be scheduled to get to know the candidate and allow them to learn about the company.

• Technical Interview: A subsequent interview focusing on technical skills and practical knowledge related to robotics, electronics, and UAVs.

• Discussion & Offer: If both parties feel there's a strong match, specifics like start date and internship duration will be discussed, followed by an offer.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Prioritize Visuals: Include high-quality photos and videos of your builds, projects, and prototypes.

Show, don't just tell.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly explain:

  • The objective or problem you were trying to solve.
  • The hardware and software components used.
  • The challenges you encountered and how you overcame them.
  • The outcome and what you learned.

• Highlight Practical Skills: Explicitly showcase your soldering, 3D printing, wiring, and assembly skills through your project examples.

• Link GitHub/Repos: If you have code, schematics, or design files, provide links. Even simple scripts or configurations demonstrate technical engagement.

• Be Honest and Enthusiastic: Authenticity about your experience and genuine passion for the field are crucial. If you've crashed and fixed something, highlight it!

Challenge Preparation:

• Technical Readiness: Be prepared to discuss the technical aspects of your projects in detail. Understand the components you used, their functions, and why you chose them.

• Problem-Solving Scenarios: Think about common issues in drone building and flight (e.g., power issues, sensor calibration, flight controller tuning, connectivity problems) and how you would approach troubleshooting them.

• Company Research: Understand Fiducial's core business (UAV situational awareness software) and how your hardware internship contributes to it. Research the Aerospace Innovation Hub and TU Delft's aerospace programs for context.

• Enthusiasm for Hardware: Clearly articulate your passion for hands-on building, tinkering, and making physical systems work.

📝 Enhancement Note: The application process is designed to assess practical aptitude and passion. The emphasis on "what you've made" means the portfolio is not just a supplement but a central component of the application. Candidates should treat the portfolio as a primary demonstration of their suitability.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Flight Controllers: ArduPilot, PX4 (familiarity with one or both is beneficial).

• Embedded Compute Boards: NVIDIA Jetson, Orange Pi, Raspberry Pi (experience with at least one is highly relevant).

• Prototyping & Fabrication: 3D printers, soldering irons, basic hand tools, potentially CNC machines.

• Sensors: Various sensors for UAVs (IMUs, GPS, cameras, lidar - specific types may vary).

• Wiring & Assembly: Experience with connectors, power distribution, custom wiring harnesses.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to this hardware internship role; focus is on physical systems and embedded software.

📝 Enhancement Note: The tools mentioned are standard in the drone and embedded systems development space. Familiarity with these specific platforms and fabrication methods is key. The company's reliance on open-source flight controllers and popular embedded boards suggests a practical, cost-effective approach to development.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Passion for Technology: A deep-seated enthusiasm for engineering, robotics, and autonomy, driving innovation and dedication.

• Hands-on Approach: A strong preference for practical, tangible work, building, testing, and iterating on physical systems.

• Innovation & Problem-Solving: A culture that encourages creative thinking, rapid iteration, and effective troubleshooting to overcome technical challenges.

• Curiosity & Resourcefulness: A value placed on independent learning, exploration, and finding solutions with available resources.

• Impact & Contribution: A focus on contributing directly to cutting-edge products and seeing one's work deployed in real-world applications.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Close collaboration between hardware and software teams, essential for developing integrated UAV systems.

• Direct Communication: Given the startup environment, expect open and direct communication channels, fostering quick feedback loops.

• Mentorship & Learning: A supportive environment where senior engineers guide and mentor interns, facilitating knowledge transfer.

• Agile & Iterative: Work processes likely follow agile principles, with frequent testing, feedback, and adjustments to designs and implementations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is geared towards driven individuals who thrive in a fast-paced, hands-on environment. The emphasis on passion, innovation, and practical contribution aligns with the nature of a deep-tech startup.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Rapid Iteration Demands: The need to build, test, and iterate quickly can be demanding, requiring efficient problem-solving under time pressure.

• Hardware Debugging Complexity: Troubleshooting intricate hardware issues, especially in embedded systems and flight control, can be challenging and time-consuming.

• Integration with Software: Ensuring seamless integration between custom hardware builds and the company's advanced perception software requires close coordination and understanding of both domains.

• Working with Military Applications: Depending on the specific projects, interns may encounter requirements related to robustness, reliability, and security inherent in defence-related technology.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialized Technical Skills: Gain hands-on expertise in UAV hardware integration, embedded systems, flight controller configuration, and advanced prototyping techniques.

• Industry Immersion: Experience working in a deep-tech startup environment, understanding product development cycles in the autonomy and defence sectors.

• Mentorship: Direct guidance from experienced engineers provides opportunities for structured learning and career advice.

• Portfolio Building: The practical nature of the role allows for the creation of a strong portfolio showcasing tangible achievements.

• Exposure to Cutting-Edge Tech: Work with state-of-the-art sensors, compute platforms, and potentially AI/ML applications within the UAV context.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical of R&D in a startup, offering significant learning opportunities. The company's culture of "learning is to be expected" and giving interns "responsibility" suggests these challenges are viewed as growth catalysts.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Project Deep Dive: Be ready to walk through your most relevant personal projects in detail. Explain your design choices, the technical challenges you faced, and how you solved them. Focus on your hands-on contributions.

• Troubleshooting Scenarios: Prepare to answer questions like: "If a drone fails to arm, what are the first three things you would check?" or "How would you diagnose a sensor reading that seems inaccurate?"

• Technical Concepts: Brush up on fundamental concepts related to electronics (voltage, current, resistance, power), embedded systems (microcontrollers, peripherals), flight control (PID loops, sensor fusion basics), and basic Linux commands.

• Motivation & Fit: Clearly articulate why you are passionate about robotics, UAVs, and hardware development, and why you are specifically interested in Fiducial and this internship role.

Company & Culture Questions:

• Understanding Fiducial: Research Fiducial's mission (UAV situational awareness software for defence) and how your hardware role contributes to it. Understand the "deep-tech" aspect.

• Startup Environment: Discuss your comfort level and expectations working in a fast-paced startup with flexible hours and a hybrid model.

• Learning Agility: Provide examples of how you've learned new technical skills quickly in the past.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structured Walkthrough: Organize your portfolio logically. Start with your most impressive or relevant projects.

• Visual Aids: Use photos, videos, and diagrams effectively to illustrate your builds and concepts.

• Concise Explanations: Be clear and to the point when describing projects, focusing on your role, challenges, and solutions.

• Highlight "Making Things Work": Emphasize instances where you successfully built, integrated, and tested hardware, especially if you overcame significant hurdles.

• Demonstrate Passion: Let your enthusiasm for building and tinkering shine through your presentation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process, especially the technical interview and portfolio review, will heavily assess practical skills and problem-solving abilities. Candidates should prepare to demonstrate their hands-on capabilities and passion for hardware development.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UAV Robotics/Mechatronics Internship:

• Submit Your Application: Use the provided link to submit your application via Ashby.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Prepare and organize your resume, photos/links of drone builds, FPV rigs, electronics projects, CAD/3D-printed parts, and GitHub repositories. Focus on showcasing "what you've made."

• Highlight Practical Skills: Ensure your resume and portfolio clearly demonstrate your hands-on experience with electronics, soldering, 3D printing, and hardware assembly.

• Articulate Your Passion: Be ready to express your genuine interest in UAVs, robotics, and hardware development, and explain why you are a good fit for Fiducial's innovative environment.

• Research Fiducial: Understand the company's focus on UAV situational awareness software and the deep-tech/defence sector context.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions based on the provided data. The role is highly specialized in hardware for UAVs, supporting a software-centric company. All details, especially regarding specific project scope and technical requirements, should be verified directly with Fiducial during the application and interview process. This is an internship focused on practical building and testing, not a traditional revenue or sales operations role.