---
title: 'Internship - UAV Controls Engineer at Fiducial'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/internship-uav-controls-engineer-fiducial-delft-gn05mtr7azsj'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-08'
---

# Internship - UAV Controls Engineer at Fiducial

- **Company:** Fiducial
- **Location:** Delft, Netherlands
- **Compensation:** €1k
- **Employment:** full-time
- **Work type:** hybrid
- **Posted:** 2025-12-19
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-08
- **Apply:** https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/Fiducial/62868ec0-c887-426a-8e01-5639219c75a2/application

**Skills:** Flight dynamics, Control theory, Real-time systems, C++, Python, State estimation, Filtering, Sensor fusion, UAV simulators, SITL, HIL, PX4, Ardupilot

> The UAV Controls Engineer Intern will contribute to the development and tuning of guidance, navigation, and control (GNC) algorithms for autonomous UAVs. Responsibilities include integrating control modules with perception systems, using simulation environments for validation, and analyzing flight data to improve pe...

## Job description

## OPENING

## WE CANNOT PROVIDE VISA SPONSORSHIP

## DETAILS

Preferred starting date: ASAP

Weekly availability: full-time (5 days/week)

Period: 6 months

Location: Aerospace Innovation Hub, Delft, the Netherlands

## ABOUT THE COMPANY

Fiducial is a young but fast-growing deep-tech start-up with big ambitions at the frontier of autonomy, perception, and defence. Our core expertise lies in 3D vision and graphics technologies which we deploy in a dual-use context for inspection and defence. This role will initially focus mainly on the defence context where we are developing software for advanced on-board UAV situational awareness in military applications. Our solutions are aimed to operate with low-cost and widely available sensors and compute. From there, we plan to develop a line-up of interconnected solutions to safeguard European safety.

Our team consists of engineers that are passionate about the technology and solutions they develop. The only time most of us are not thinking about the technology is when we are asleep, and sometimes even then. Our team members have a background in different fields such as Aerospace Engineering, Computational Science and Engineering, Robotics, and Computer Graphics. Our office is located in the Aerospace Innovation Hub, a start-up hub located on the TU Delft campus in the faculty of Aerospace Engineering.

We work closely with top-tier partners, ranging from government agencies and prime contractors to academic research institutes and other start-ups. Our projects span from large tender orders in collaboration with partners, low TRL research with government agencies, to direct collaboration with military units. Whether through formal R&D programs or rapid prototyping tracks, we operate at the intersection of innovation and deployment.

## YOUR ROLE

You will work in our team of experienced 3D vision engineers, 3D computer graphics engineers, and controls and robotics engineers. You will not just work on some unimportant side project but you might actually build key parts of solutions that will be used by our customers and partners. Activities include:

- Contributing to the development and tuning of guidance, navigation, and control (GNC) algorithms for autonomous flight, including takeoff, landing, and waypoint following.
- Assisting in integrating control and navigation modules with perception and state estimation systems.
- Using simulation environments (SITL/HIL) to test and validate flight control behavior before hardware deployment.
- Reviewing and interpreting flight logs and telemetry to help assess control performance and identify issues.
- Working closely with hardware and flight test teams to configure and calibrate UAV platforms.
- Supporting flight test campaigns through setup, monitoring, and post-flight data analysis.
- Helping improve internal tools for simulation, control diagnostics, and flight visualization.
- Learning from and collaborating with senior engineers to iterate between simulation and real-world testing and continuously improve flight performance.

## WHAT WE EXPECT FROM YOU

- Foundational understanding of flight dynamics, control theory, and real-time systems.
- Hands-on experience (academic, hobby, or project-based) designing control loops for UAVs or similar dynamic systems.
- Familiarity with flight control stacks such as PX4, Ardupilot, or other open-source autopilots.
- Strong programming skills in C++ or Python.
- Awareness of state estimation and filtering concepts (e.g., sensor fusion, complementary filters, or EKF basics).
- Comfort working with UAV simulators or an eagerness to learn SITL/HIL testing workflows.
- Curiosity and motivation to learn quickly, explore new areas, and seek guidance when needed.
- A hands-on attitude, persistence, and enthusiasm for building and improving real flying systems.
- Full-time availability (40 hours).

## WHAT CAN WE OFFER

- 1000 euro monthly compensation.
- 10 vacation days during internship period.
- (Really) flexible working hours and option to work from home 2 days per week.
- Have a direct and significant influence on highly innovative products.
- The opportunity to iterate quickly with tight feedback loops, close to the product. We are innovating, learning is to be expected.
- Responsibility over the things you implement, you are the expert on what you build.

## THE APPLICATION PROCEDURE

- If after reading the above you are convinced you are the right person for the job, send us some information about yourself; this can be a resume, website or other source, as long as we get a clear impression of your background and skills.
- We’ll get back to you ASAP. If we feel you could be a fit for the position, we’ll invite you for an informal introduction so we can get to know you, and equally important, you can get to know us. After this, a technical focused interview could follow.
- If at this point we feel you are the person we are looking for, we’ll discuss the specifics (starting date and period).
- Welcome to the team!

## About Fiducial

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Fiducial builds deployable computer vision and autonomy software for defence, enabling drone platforms and ground-based detection systems to see, navigate, and act in denied or contested environments.
- **Entity Type**: Private (Seed Stage)
- **Headquarters**: Delft, Netherlands
- **Founded**: 2024
- **Founders**: Andreas Verbruggen (CEO & Founder), Servaas Clerckx (Co-Founder)

## Core Business
- **Primary industry/industries**: Defence & Space Manufacturing, Deep Tech, Computer Vision, Autonomous Systems
- **Target customers**: Defence and security organizations, drone platform integrators, military and government agencies
- **Mission or purpose statement**: Build precision computer vision and autonomy software that operates independently of the environment, prioritizing explainable, verifiable, and robust systems over black-box AI.

## Products & Services
- **Intercept (Autonomous Interception Software)**: Software for long-range attack drone interception, proven in field tests to reach interception points faster than a human pilot. Designed for contested environments.
- **Fiducial Pose**: 3D positioning software for real-time situational awareness, enabling GNSS-independent navigation in denied environments.
- **Fiducial Atlas**: Reconstruction and visualization software that translates multi-sensor data into accurate, photorealistic digital environments.
- **Fuse Platform**: A platform for integrating multi-sensor data into actionable insights for inspection, quality assurance, and autonomous systems.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not publicly available
- **Key Metric**: Total Funding of $2.4M across 5 rounds (Seed, Grants, Non-Equity Assistance)
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: YES!Delft, UNIIQ (TU Delft startup accelerator), EUDIS Business Accelerator, Graduate Ventures, EmProof, Emergent
- **Growth Signals**: 266.7% headcount growth YoY (23 employees as of mid-2026); completed field tests of autonomous interception capability outperforming human pilots; conducted five operational trips to Ukraine working with frontline units; expanded to 5 countries (Netherlands, France, Switzerland, Ukraine, Belgium)

## Competitive Advantages
- **GNSS-independent navigation**: Core computer vision software operates in denied or contested environments without relying on GPS, a critical differentiator for defence applications.
- **Explainable AI philosophy**: Uses machine learning only where it measurably improves outcomes; all other systems remain explainable, verifiable, and robust — a key trust advantage in defence.
- **Operational validation**: Every capability is validated in active operational environments (including frontline deployments in Ukraine) before being called ready.
- **TU Delft pedigree**: Spun out from one of Europe’s top technical universities, with deep ties to the Dutch deep-tech ecosystem.

## Strategic Focus
- **Defence pivot**: Originally focused on 3D positioning and inspection software, the company pivoted to defence in 2025, developing autonomous interception software for long-range attack drones.
- **Edge computing & GNSS-denied operations**: Core focus on software that runs at the edge, integrated with hardware partners, and proven in contested environments.
- **Operational deployment in Ukraine**: Five operational trips to Ukraine working with frontline units, demonstrating real-world validation and a commitment to field-ready solutions.
- **Scaling the team**: With 23 employees and 7 open positions, the company is actively scaling its engineering and field deployment teams.

## Why Work Here
- **High-impact mission**: Work on defence technology that is actively deployed in operational environments, with direct impact on national security and frontline operations.
- **Cutting-edge deep tech**: Tackle hard problems in 3D computer vision, edge computing, aerospace engineering, and autonomous systems — all at a small, agile startup.
- **Hybrid & remote flexibility**: Multiple roles offer hybrid work from Delft HQ, and some positions (e.g., Senior 3D Vision Engineer) are open to remote candidates within the EU.
- **Rapid growth environment**: 266.7% headcount growth YoY with 7 open positions — significant opportunity for early employees to shape the company.
- **Strong engineering culture**: 42% of staff in technical roles; emphasis on explainable, verifiable systems over black-box AI; bright talent across computer vision, controls, robotics, aerospace engineering, applied mathematics, and 3D graphics.
- **TU Delft spin-off pedigree**: Deep-tech roots with backing from top accelerators (YES!Delft, UNIIQ) and EU defence programs (EUDIS).

## Sources
1. [fdcl.nl](https://www.fdcl.nl/)
2. [jobs.ashbyhq.com/Fiducial](https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/Fiducial)
3. [builtin.com/company/fiducial](https://builtin.com/company/fiducial)
4. [linkedin.com/company/fiducialtech](https://nl.linkedin.com/company/fiducialtech)
5. [defencejobs.org/companies/fiducial](https://www.defencejobs.org/companies/fiducial)
6. [uniiq.nl/portfolio-item/fiducial](https://uniiq.nl/portfolio-item/fiducial/)

## Other roles at Fiducial

- [Senior Electronics Engineer — PCB Design & Bring-Up](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-electronics-engineer-pcb-design-bring-up-fiducial-delft-xeapg3j3s7wg) — Delft, Netherlands
- [Chief Product Officer](https://feeny.ai/job/chief-product-officer-fiducial-delft-t5vsbw8yexz6) — Delft, Netherlands
- [Junior Information Security Officer (CISO track)](https://feeny.ai/job/junior-information-security-officer-ciso-track-fiducial-delft-zw45kq28qnf4) — Delft, Netherlands
- [Internship - Programming & Automation](https://feeny.ai/job/internship-programming-automation-fiducial-delft-qpm93emnmvyx) — Delft, Netherlands
- [Internship- Mechanical Design & Integration](https://feeny.ai/job/internship-mechanical-design-integration-fiducial-delft-gcyhyxb0341p) — Delft, Netherlands
- [Forward Deployed System Integration Engineer - L2 (UAV Robotics) - Ukraine](https://feeny.ai/job/forward-deployed-system-integration-engineer-l2-uav-robotics-ukraine-fiducial-3btx5xvyb8fn) — Ukraine
- [Forward Deployed System Integration Engineer - L1 (UAV Robotics) - Ukraine](https://feeny.ai/job/forward-deployed-system-integration-engineer-l1-uav-robotics-ukraine-fiducial-r9r5ejpjftvc) — Ukraine
- [Software Generalist — Tools, Dashboards, Frameworks & Performance (Python / Rust / C++ / Web)](https://feeny.ai/job/software-generalist-tools-dashboards-frameworks-performance-python-rust-c-web-0qxq1zcz0r2s) — Delft, Netherlands
- [Flight Operations Engineer/UAV Pilot (UAV Robotics/Mechatronics)](https://feeny.ai/job/flight-operations-engineer-uav-pilot-uav-robotics-mechatronics-fiducial-delft-ax93s8b74k39) — Delft, Netherlands
- [Forward Deployed System Integration Engineer - L2 (UAV Robotics) - EU](https://feeny.ai/job/forward-deployed-system-integration-engineer-l2-uav-robotics-eu-fiducial-delft-fj9jdawwxrgg) — Delft, Netherlands