Van Cleef & Arpels Precious Materials Innovation Apprentice
- Location
- LyonAuvergne-Rhône-AlpesFrance
- Employment
- Internship
- Seniority
- Intern
- Industry
- High Jewelry
- Posted
- May 12, 2026
About Van Cleef & Arpels
Van Cleef & Arpels is a preeminent haute‑joaillerie maison renowned for artisanal craftsmanship, technical excellence and poetic design. The maison operates within a network of luxury maisons and draws on both traditional métiers and contemporary materials science to develop its creations.
Van Cleef & Arpels seeks a Materials Science apprentice in Lyon to support precious metals innovation and process development from September 2026.
Role & Responsibilities
- Establish and implement internal procedures for metallographic characterization and mechanical property measurements (hardness, tensile behavior) of precious metal alloys
- Develop raw samples from standard lost-wax casting processes and conduct detailed characterization analysis
- Deploy Internet of Things (IoT) solutions to monitor foundry parameters in real-time and optimize manufacturing processes
- Test and evaluate different material combinations (plasters, alloys) and assess the influence of foundry parameters and post-casting thermal treatments on mechanical properties
- Conduct critical analysis of experimental results and prepare detailed technical reports and progress presentations
- Formulate best practices guidelines and develop a database of optimal processing conditions based on desired material properties
- Collaborate with internal jewelry ateliers and project stakeholders to define technical requirements and validate recommendations
Qualifications
- Currently enrolled in an engineering school program with specialization in Materials Science, preferably metallurgical materials
- Solid foundational knowledge of metallurgy, metal alloy processing methods, and mechanical properties of metallic systems
- Proven organizational skills with ability to prioritize multiple workstreams and manage competing demands
- Demonstrated commitment to service-oriented work and project engagement
- Genuine interest in the luxury and high jewelry sectors
Skills
Experience
Currently pursuing advanced engineering studies with demonstrated enthusiasm and proactivity in academic projects, coupled with strong interpersonal and collaborative capabilities.
Education
Engineering degree program (école d'ingénieur) with specialization in Materials Science or Metallurgy, preferably with focus on metallic materials and alloy processing.
Workplace
The successful candidate will be located in Lyon, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France.
Benefits
Training in the history and values of Van Cleef & Arpels through L'École des Arts Joailliers upon integration into the Maison.
Culture
Van Cleef & Arpels combines time‑honoured artisanal savoir‑faire with rigorous technical development, fostering a workplace where creativity and precision coexist. The maison values cross‑disciplinary collaboration between workshops, R&D and design to sustain excellence in high jewellery.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The luxury industry is characterised by a diverse and nuanced nomenclature. Esteemed houses frequently employ proprietary terminology, and even within a single organisation like Van Cleef & Arpels, titles may vary across global markets to reflect local conventions. To ensure absolute clarity, Cerulean assigns a standardised, industry-coherent canonical title to every listing. However, it is worth noting that this role is functionally synonymous with «Materials Research Apprentice», «Precious Metals Innovation Intern», «Metallurgical Innovation Trainee», «Advanced Materials Development Apprentice», and other variations. Our sophisticated search architecture anticipates these variations, ensuring that inquiries using related terms will seamlessly yield the exact roles you desire.