Student position: Construction of an eddy current test system

Place of work: Hamburg

Starting date: 1.8.2026

Career level: Student employment

Type of employment: Part time

Duration of contract: 6 Monate

Remuneration: Remuneration is in accordance with the Collective Agreement for the Public Sector - Federal Government (TVöD-Bund)

Non‑destructive testing (NDT) plays a central role in aviation maintenance, as it enables the early detection of material defects such as fatigue cracks or corrosion without damaging the components. This reliably ensures the operational safety of aircraft whilst supporting efficient, condition‑based maintenance before critical damage occurs. In the context of increasing automation, we are working in particular on the further development of robotics‑ and data‑based inspection systems to implement NDT processes more precisely, reproducibly and efficiently in complex aerospace structures.

What to Expect

In the Maintenance and Repair Technologies department at the DLR Institute of Maintenance and Modification, you will join a dynamic team of scientists. Our research focuses on new technologies for data‑centred maintenance. This includes investigating the integration of humans into digital processes and technologies, as well as developing robotics and new inspection and repair technologies.

Non‑destructive testing, particularly eddy current testing, is essential for assessing the condition of parts and components in the aviation industry. However, commercial systems only allow limited access to data sets, and customising them often incurs significant additional costs. This severely restricts possibilities, particularly in research. Our aim is therefore to develop our own eddy current inspection system for testing various technologies, probe designs and sensors. At the heart of this system will be a Red Pitaya STEMlab 125-14 Gen 2, and the goal is to create an open‑source system that provides full access to all data. This will enable continuous further development and optimisation.

Your tasks will include assisting with the construction of the system. This will give you in‑depth experience of FPGA programming and hardware. Once the initial setup is complete, you will conduct experiments to determine the probability of detection and the signal‑to‑noise ratio. These activities could form part of a Bachelor's or Master's thesis, if you wish.

Your tasks

• Familiarisation with the eddy current testing procedure
• Familiarisation with FPGA programming
• Assisting with setting up of the testing system (hardware and software)
• Conducting experiments
• Evaluating the results
• Documentation
• Gute Kommunikationsfähigkeiten in Deutsch und Englisch

What You Bring With You

• Currently studying for a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechatronics, Electrical Engineering, Measurement Technology, or a comparable course
• Experience or exposure to the field of measurement technology (e.g., relevant courses or specialisations)
• Ability to work independently
• Interest in embedded systems (FPGA)
• Optional: basic programming experience
• Very good ability to communicate in German and English

Wir freuen uns darauf, dich kennenzulernen!

Fragen zu dieser Position (Kennziffer 5302) Beantwortet Dir gerne

Dr. Rebecca Rodeck
Tel.: