Mechanical Engineering | Physics internship: wafer flatness optimization

Introduction

You will join the Tables & Clamps Analysis group within ASML's Development and Engineering department in Veldhoven. This team focuses on the design and optimization of wafer tables used in high-precision systems. In this internship, you will contribute to improving wafer flatness at the nanometer scale through modeling and optimization. Your work will directly support the performance of advanced lithography machines. This Mechanical Engineering | Applied Physics internship: wafer flatness optimization offers a unique opportunity to combine physics, mechanics, and numerical methods in a real-world application.

Your assignment

In this internship you will develop and improve a modeling and optimization approach for wafer table design. You will explore how wafer table stiffness and discrete load distribution influence wafer flatness. The goal is to develop and improve a mathematical and physical framework, and your main responsibilities will be:

• Perform a structured literature study
• Improve an existing numerical model
• Define the objective function and derive its adjoint formulation
• Validate the model using simulation or available data
• Conduct sensitivity analysis to understand key parameters
• Create a user-friendly interface for practical use

This is a master (non-) thesis internship for a minimum of 6 months, minimum 4 days per week (3 days on-site). The start date of this internship is as of September 2026.

Your profile

To be suitable for the internship, you:

• Are pursuing a master's degree in mechanical engineering or applied physics
• Have experience with numerical modeling and optimization techniques
• You have solid understanding of mechanics (e.g., stiffness, bending)
• Have strong programming skills (preferably MATLAB)
• Demonstrate strong analytical thinking and a structured approach to problems
• Are proactive, independent, and reach out and communicate clearly with experts

Other requirements you need to meet:

• You are enrolled at an educational institute for the entire duration of the internship;
• Attach your cover letter with a clear motivation why you are interested in this internship assignment in particular;
• You need to be located in the Netherlands to perform your internship. In case you are currently living/studying outside of the Netherlands, your CV/motivation letter needs to include the willingness to relocate.
• If you are a non-EU citizen, studying in the Netherlands, your university is willing to sign the documents relevant for doing an internship (i.e., Nuffic agreement).

Inclusion and diversity

ASML is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values and respects the importance of a diverse and inclusive workforce. It is the policy of the company to recruit, hire, train and promote persons in all job titles without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity. We recognize that inclusion and diversity is a driving force in the success of our company.

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