About VAT Group

At VAT, we change the world with vacuum solutions. As the world’s leading supplier of high-performance vacuum valves, we have been driving innovation for more than 60 years. With over 3,200 employees worldwide, we operate from our headquarters in Haag, Switzerland, with manufacturing sites in Switzerland, Malaysia and Romania, as well as sales and service hubs around the world. We are guided by our passions: integrity, teamwork, customer centricity, and innovation – always working together as #oneVAT.

Joining us means becoming part of a passionate, international team where your voice is heard, your ideas matter, and your career growth is supported.

Purpose of the role

As an intern, you will develop an automated controller tuning platform for motion control applications. The objective is to create a complete workflow where a PLC automatically executes experiments on a valve actuator, collects measurement data, and transfers it to a Python-based auto-tuning algorithm. The algorithm will identify the system dynamics, calculate optimized controller parameters, and automatically feed them back to the motion controller. The resulting solution will enable efficient, repeatable, and robust tuning of industrial motion control systems with minimal user intervention.

Responsibilities

• Develop an automated motion control tuning platform for stepper and BLDC motor applications.
• Develop PLC software to execute measurement campaigns, collect experimental data, and control the testing workflow.
• Implement Python-based algorithms for system identification and automatic controller tuning.
• Establish an end-to-end workflow where tuning parameters are automatically generated and fed back to the motion controller.
• Define and implement standardized validation procedures to evaluate the performance and robustness of the tuning results.
• Create technical documentation covering system architecture, algorithms, test procedures, and user guidelines.

Your competencies acquired at the end of the internship

This internship is designed to provide you with practical experience in motion control, automation, and algorithm development within an industrial environment. As part of our R&D team, you will work on a real-world challenge: developing an automated controller tuning platform for valve actuation systems. By the end of the internship, you will have acquired the following competencies:

• Control Engineering Skills: Gain practical experience in system identification, controller tuning, motion control, and dynamic system analysis for stepper and BLDC motor applications.
• Software Development Skills: Develop PLC and Python programming skills by creating an end-to-end workflow for automated experimentation, data acquisition, and controller optimization.
• Automation & Testing Skills: Learn how to design and implement automated test procedures, ensuring repeatable and robust validation of control algorithms in an industrial environment.
• Data Analysis Skills: Acquire the ability to process measurement data, evaluate system performance, and develop data-driven solutions for real-world engineering problems.
• Problem-Solving Skills: Apply a structured engineering approach to diagnose system behaviour, identify improvement opportunities, and develop innovative solutions to complex control challenges.
• Communication Skills: Gain experience in documenting technical work, presenting project results, and discussing technical solutions with experts from different engineering disciplines.
• Collaboration Skills: Work closely with specialists in software, automation, electronics, and mechatronics, contributing to a multidisciplinary development project.
• Industry Experience: Gain insight into the development of advanced motion control solutions within the semiconductor industry, from concept development and algorithm design to implementation, testing, and validation in a commercial product environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechatronics, Robotics, Automation Engineering, or a related field.
• Solid understanding of control theory, electrical machines, and mechatronic systems.
• Strong programming skills in PLCs and Python.
• Creative and solution-oriented team player with a hands-on, structured, and systematic approach to problem-solving.
• Good written and spoken English.

Our commitment to inclusion, fairness and equal opportunities

We believe in meaningful careers, continuous learning, and equal opportunities for everyone to drive our innovation and success. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and are dedicated to fostering an inclusive and respectful workplace. If you have concerns, our compliance channel is available at our website. All reports are handled with strict confidentiality and in accordance with our Code of Conduct.