Italdesign is an Italian design and engineering company specializing in automotive, transportation, and product development sectors.
Based in Moncalieri (Turin) with over 1,300 employees worldwide, it has been innovating and working with top car makers and emerging players for more than 57 years.
Renowned for its important role in car design, Italdesign has developed iconic vehicles and offers comprehensive services spanning exterior and interior design, prototyping, engineering, and turnkey project management. Its vertical integrated approach ensures seamless support to clients, from the first idea to homologation and series production, delivering solutions tailored to client needs.
Italdesign also develops new technologies and fosters advancements in mobility and prototyping. In recent years, it has expanded into electronic systems development, including infotainment, ADAS, high-voltage batteries, and Software Defined Vehicles (SDVs). This blend of technical expertise and creative design makes it a leader in the industry.
Since joining the Audi Group in 2010, Italdesign has grown and created innovative solutions, combining aesthetics and functionality to pioneer cutting-edge solutions that meet the market demands. In 2025 Italdesign obtained the Top Employers Certification for the tenth year in a row.
Italdesign is looking for an enthusiastic and smart student passionate about automotive, eager to join an innovative and international business environment, working in an agile way and embracing a strong team spirit.
You will gain a great experience in learning all the instruments, procedures and technical aspects with the support of your tutor and colleagues of the Department.
Italdesign is expanding its activities in the field of robotics to diversify the services offered to customers and, at the same time, to further enhance the quality delivered to major automotive clients.
Among the services offered to the market is the production of prototypes, whose first manufacturing step involves installing hundreds of fasteners of various sizes onto the vehicle frame. These fasteners serve as critical mounting points for cables and other components, requiring extremely high positional accuracy. A robotic system will enable the company to fully automate this activity, increasing efficiency and minimizing human error.
Thesis Project
As thesis student, you will be supported by your Tutor to analyse and develop the following thesis project about the design of a modular robotic arm and its end-effectors to fully automatize the installation of fasteners on vehicle frames.
During the thesis project, the student will be required to carry out the following activities:
* Functional and environmental requirements analysis: study of the technical requirements; constraints on precision, repeatability, and robustness;
* Interpolated mobile base (7th axis): available models and layout compatibility;
* Collaborative robotic arm: degrees of freedom, payload, reach, end-effector compatibility;
* Modular end-effectors: welding systems, tool change, adaptability to pin types;
* Full system CAD layout;
* Mechanical interfaces between base, arm, and end-effector;
* Accessibility and footprint analysis on the production line;
* Power supply, cabling, safety systems;
* Compatibility with existing layout and automotive standards;
* Technical specifications of selected components;
* Engineering rationale for each choice;
* Procurement plan and estimated costs.
Key requirements
* Passion and interest in robotics, automation, and automotive manufacturing;
* Strong teamwork attitude and ability to collaborate in multidisciplinary environments;
* Innovation-oriented mindset and curiosity toward emerging technologies;
* Responsibility and integrity;
* Good interpersonal and communicative skills;
* Flexible and hardworking;
* Good time management capability and proactivity;
* Good knowledge of Microsoft Office Package (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
Preferential requirements
* Experience or coursework in robotics, mechatronics, or industrial automation;
* Interest in production engineering, assembly processes, and plant integration;
* Familiarity with robotic manipulators (collaborative or industrial), including payload, reach, and stiffness considerations;
* Basic understanding of end-effector design (mechanical interfaces, tool changers, modularity);
* Knowledge of precision handling or assembly processes (repeatability, tolerance chains, alignment strategies);
* Familiarity with industrial sensors (force/torque sensors, proximity sensors, vision systems);
* Basic knowledge of welding or fastening technologies used in automotive prototyping;
* Experience with CAD tools (e.g., CATIA, Siemens NX, SolidWorks) for mechanical layout and interface design.
Additional Information
Education: Attending a Master’s Degree in Mechanic or Mechatronics;
Language skills: Fluent knowledge of written and spoken Italian and English (at least B2 level);
Workplace: Moncalieri (TO), Italy;
Contract type: thesis project with estimated duration about 6 months;
Benefit: company canteen, multicultural environment.
Italdesign is committed to create an inclusive, diverse and safe workplace, and we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer (L.903/77).
We welcome applications from all candidates, regardless of the gender, ethnic, religion, sexual orientation, disability, parental status, or social origin.