Van Cleef & Arpels Innovation Engineering Intern — Industry 5.0

About Van Cleef & Arpels

Van Cleef & Arpels is a storied haute-joaillerie maison known for exceptional craftsmanship, artistic creativity and high standards of finishing. As part of an international luxury group, the maison combines traditional métiers d'art with selective investment in technical innovation to support ateliers, product development and modern manufacturing processes.

Role & Responsibilities

• Support cross-functional innovation projects that bridge artisanal production and Industry 5.0 principles (human-centric automation and collaborative systems).
• Design, build and test prototypes and small-scale pilot systems for production enhancement (fixtures, jigs, sensors, automated aids).
• Collect, process and analyse production and sensor data to identify efficiencies, quality improvements and operator-centred solutions.
• Develop basic digital-twin or simulation models and prepare validation plans for piloting new technologies on the shop floor.
• Work closely with ateliers, product engineers and suppliers to translate technical requirements into implementable solutions.
• Prepare technical documentation, project reports and presentations for stakeholders and steering committees.
• Contribute to problem-solving workshops and continuous-improvement initiatives (root-cause analysis, Kaizen-style experiments).

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled in an engineering or advanced technical programme (industrial, mechanical, mechatronics, robotics, automation, or equivalent).
• Strong fundamentals in automation, control systems, sensors and mechatronics; familiarity with collaborative-robot concepts (cobots) preferred.
• Practical experience or academic projects in prototyping, digital modelling or factory-process improvement.
• Analytical competence with data-processing tools and the ability to translate analysis into actionable recommendations.
• Good interpersonal skills and the ability to collaborate with artisan teams, engineers and external suppliers.
• Professional maturity, curiosity for new technologies and a methodical approach to testing and validation.
• Working knowledge of French and English is advantageous for daily collaboration in a Lyon-based atelier.

Skills

Experience

Academic project work or prior internships in industrial/production engineering, mechatronics, automation or applied R&D. Demonstrable hands-on prototyping and data-analysis experience preferred; professional experience is not required for this internship-level role.

Education

Enrolled in a Bachelor's or Master's programme in Engineering (industrial, mechanical, mechatronics, robotics, automation, or closely related discipline).

Workplace

Culture

The maison blends centuries-old jewellery craftsmanship with a selective, modern approach to technical innovation. Teams are interdisciplinary — pairing engineers with artisans — and the working environment values precision, discretion and continuous improvement while preserving artisanal savoir-faire.

About Cerulean

Cerulean is the definitive career portal for the global luxury industry. We match exceptional professionals with exclusive opportunities at the world's most prestigious brands. From haute couture and fine watchmaking to prestige beauty, hospitality, and boutique retail, Cerulean centralises luxury employment to help you find the career for which you were destined.