Internship: Data-Driven Sustainability in Automated Logistics Systems

Vanderlande offers an internship focused on data-driven sustainability in automated logistics systems.

Internship assignment

September 2026 start, 6 months, based in Veghel.

Description of assignment

As sustainability becomes an increasingly important factor in material handling systems, companies are looking for ways to better understand and reduce the carbon footprint of automated logistics systems such as parcel sorting centers and warehouse automation solutions. Calculating the environmental impact of these complex systems requires large amounts of reliable environmental and engineering data.

Currently, much of the required Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) data is distributed across multiple sources, such as engineering data, supplier information, and environmental databases. This makes it difficult to efficiently collect, structure, and visualize carbon footprint information for projects.

The goal of this assignment is to support the development of a centralized carbon data structure and dashboard that enables engineers and sustainability specialists to better analyze the environmental impact of logistics systems. You will work on collecting and structuring environmental data for system components, linking engineering information to carbon footprint factors, and developing interactive dashboards that visualize the carbon footprint of system designs.

Department description

You will join the Sales Engineering Department within the Distribution Domain in Vanderlande, where engineering, sustainability, and data come together to design future-proof logistics systems for airports, parcel companies, and e-commerce warehouses. The department works closely with customers and internal engineering teams to design large automated systems consisting of conveyors, sorting equipment, steel structures, and electrical components. Increasingly, customers are asking for insights into the environmental impact and carbon footprint of these systems. To support this demand, the team is developing internal tools and datasets that enable Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs) and carbon footprint estimations for logistics projects.

You will work in a multidisciplinary environment, collaborating with engineers, sustainability specialists, and data analysts. The assignment will involve both data analysis and visualization, contributing directly to tools that support real project decisions.

Tasks/responsibilities

During this assignment, you will contribute to the development of a structured carbon data environment and visualization tools. Activities may include:

• Collecting and structuring environmental and engineering data for system components
• Supporting the development of a carbon footprint database for logistics equipment
• Linking engineering parameters (materials, weights, components) to LCA emission factors
• Analyzing project data to identify key carbon footprint drivers
• Designing interactive dashboards that visualize carbon footprint results
• Supporting the development of a data structure that enables scalable carbon assessments
• Documenting the methodology and insights in a final report

Your profile

• Interest in sustainability, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), or carbon footprint analysis
• Experience with data analysis and structuring datasets
• Experience with Excel, Power BI, or dashboarding tools
• Affinity with engineering systems or industrial equipment
• Basic understanding of data modeling or databases
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Mandatory enrolment to a Dutch Education System and resident of The Netherlands