Development project - AI solutions for product management

Welcome to the Fraunhofer Institute for Mechatronic Design IEM!
At the »Zukunftsmeile« in Paderborn, Germany, we conduct practical research to develop innovative solutions for mechanical and plant engineering, the automotive industry and related sectors. The focus is on intelligent products, production systems, services and software applications.

The department "Corporate Innovation" deals with the central question of how companies can increase their ability to innovate. To this end, we develop and test strategies and methods along the entire innovation process. We systematically combine the corporate and customer perspectives and develop customised solutions to strengthen a company's core business and promote innovation outside of it. We transfer start-up methods into the day-to-day work of manufacturing companies, evaluate product ideas, build prototypes and analyse customer feedback in order to drive forward the further development of a product or business idea. In order to guarantee that the methods and tools are highly practical, we rely on customised strategy development and close cooperation with industry.

We are also researching the use of new technologies to optimise innovation management. Artificial intelligence methods can be used to test and increase the effectiveness and attractiveness of new products - for example through data-based recognition of changes in customer behaviour. At the same time, we assess innovation approaches resulting from the digitalisation of products and processes, including digital platforms, augmented reality and smart services.

What you do with us

• Develop an intelligent co-pilot for an industrial use case.
• Work with cutting-edge AI technologies, such as the latest large language models.
• Gain insights into the entire product management process: from market analysis and ideation to product launch.
• Contribute to real-world industrial solutions and maintain regular exchanges with product management experts from the industry.
• Collaborate in creative, interdisciplinary teams composed of method and technology experts.

What you bring with you

• Enrolled in a relevant field of study (e.g., (Industrial) Engineering, (Business) Informatics, or comparable disciplines)
• Programming skills (e.g., Python) required (experience in software development projects is a plus)
• Proficiency in German (minimum C1) and English (minimum B2); additional languages are an advantage
• High motivation, creativity, and the ability to work independently
• Interest in innovative technologies and methods, with a willingness to learn new things
• Strong team spirit and enthusiasm for interdisciplinary collaboration

What you can expect

• A position in which you can drive the innovations of tomorrow
• Excellent preparation for your career start
• A strong team culture with flat hierarchies is a matter of course for us. This means a high level of appreciation and trust, a pleasant working atmosphere, shared lunches and creative colleagues
• The opportunity to take on responsibility and sub-projects
• Flexible working hours and holidays to suit the semester schedule
• The possibility of a home office arrangement with consideration for your professional and private challenges
• Attractive employee discounts (Fraunhofer Corporate Benefits) for a large selection of attractive brands