Job Title:
Master Thesis Student (UAV Autonomy - Perception & State Estimation)
Location:
Caldas da Rainha, Portugal (Hybrid/On-site)
Type:
Thesis Project (MSc) + Potential Hire
The Challenge
Hertel Robotics is a stealth‑mode startup branch (besides Hertel. Aerials and Hertel. Pictures, est in Caldas da Rainha building autonomous drone systems for the world's harshest maritime environments. We believe if it doesn't fly (and land) comfortably in +45 knots and 5 meter waves, it doesn't work reliable enough to
actually help
in high stakes ocean operations.
We are offering a Master Thesis position for a student ready to push the boundaries of
state estimation, perception, and sensor fusion
. Your research will be tested on real UAV platforms, bridging theory and practice. You will work directly with our Lead Perception Engineer (PhD) and our technical team to turn your academic research into flight-proven reality.
Potential Topics
* Robust SLAM:
Visual-Inertial Odometry (VIO) in feature-poor or degraded visual environments (rain/fog).
* Sensor Fusion:
Tightly coupled fusion of LiDAR, Radar, and Optical flow for precision landing.
Required Skills
* Academic:
Currently enrolled in an MSc program (Robotics, CS, AI, or similar).
* Theory:
Strong foundation in Linear Algebra, Probability, and Control Theory (Kalman Filters, Optimization).
* Computer Vision:
Familiarity with CV techniques (feature extraction, optical flow, marker detection) and libraries such as OpenCV.
* State Estimation:
Understanding of sensor fusion methods (e.g., EKF, VIO, SLAM) and their practical limitations.
* Simulation:
Experience with
Airsim
* Coding:
Strong proficiency in C++ /Python.
* ROS2: Basic understanding of nodes, topics, and messages.
* Linux: Confident working in Ubuntu terminal.
* Attitude: Proactive communicator, eager to solve problems.
Bonus Skills
* Familiarity with sensor fusion techniques (e.g., Kalman filters).
* Experience with machine learning
* Hands-on experience with drones or robotics projects.
* Knowledge of UAV dynamics and PX4/ArduPilot.
Why Write Your Thesis With Us?
* Real Data:
Don't just simulate. Validate your thesis on real, industrial-grade platforms in the field.
* Expert Guidance:
Weekly syncs with industry experts who bridge the gap between academia and product.
* The Future:
We are looking for our future R&D leads. Prove your research here, and walk straight into a job offer.