Fraunhofer-Institut für Produktionstechnologie IPT
Fraunhofer-Institut für Produktionstechnologie IPT
Panorama Aachen Stadtbild mit Dom und Rathaus, Dreiländereck
© Vincent/stock.adobe.com

© Vincent/stock.adobe.com

© Fraunhofer IPT

© Fraunhofer IPT

© Fraunhofer IPT

© Fraunhofer IPT

© Fraunhofer IPT

© Fraunhofer IPT

© Fraunhofer IPT

© Fraunhofer IPT

© Fraunhofer IPT

© Fraunhofer IPT

BRAACHEN International Internship

The BRAACHEN international internship program is a result of a long and successful partnership between Brazil's best engineering universities and the Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology IPT.

An international internship can cause a huge impact on every student pursuing a career in engineering. With the BRAACHEN program you can apply knowledge from University in real high complex industry research in Germany while learning and living the German culture every single day. Contribute to impressive research projects, learn and practice German, work in a friendly environment, make international friends and also enjoy your internship vacation in Europe to travel and broaden your horizons.

Close cooperation with the Laboratory for Machine Tools and Production Engineering WZL of the RWTH Aachen University

In our hometown of Aachen, we closely cooperate in all our areas of activity with the Laboratory for Machine Tools and Production Engineering WZL of the RWTH Aachen University. Four fully tenured professors from the RWTH Aachen University also make up the Fraunhofer IPT’s Board of Directors. The name of the WZL has for decades been globally synonymous for successful and groundbreaking research as well as innovative ideas in the field of production technology. The WZL conducts basic as well as commercially driven research projects in six departments.

Program understandings

By their good education and previous experience about Germany, Brazilians are already very well-known at the Fraunhofer IPT. This is one of the reasons why since 2002 it is a successful program.

How is the selection process?

Each student is pre-selected by their professor in their home university in Brazil before being accepted for our international internship program. Applications are only considered when sent from the professor of partner universities directly to our contact partner. The second step will be an interview with the program coordinator and/or the research fellow from the Fraunhofer IPT. With a successful interview you will receive a guideline of how to proceed and the documents you will need.

Internship duration

The internship lasts 1 year and 15 days. The start of the contract is every year on 16th January and July.

Internship Testimonials

Want to know more about the benefits of the Brazilian international internship at the Fraunhofer IPT? Check out what former participants have to say about how the program has impacted them in their personal and professional lives!

Daniel Felzemburg, 2015 – 2018:

"Currently I work as a project engineer in southern Germany and my main responsibility includes project management in electric powertrain development. In 2014 I came as a student research assistant in the High-Performance Cutting Department at the Fraunhofer IPT through this cooperation program and worked on exciting projects related to machining optimization on composites. Through this experience I gained valuable technical knowledge, strongly improved my German and intercultural skills and became aware of the master’s degree in production systems engineering at the RWTH Aachen University. Later I did this master’s degree, worked in the same department and also coordinated this program. I recommend the participation in this program to anyone who wants to experience the current state of the art of production technologies, work with very committed employees and gain intercultural experience."

Catarina Silva Ferreira, 2025 – 2026:

"During my exchange program in Germany, I began in February 2025 as a Student Research Assistant at the Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology IPT in Aachen. Since then, I have been working on laboratory processes related to production technology, with a focus on molds and lenses used in optical coating applications.

My main responsibilities include the preparation and treatment of samples for quantitative and qualitative topographic analysis, using equipment and software such as white light microscopes, Gwyddion, and Excel. I also contribute to laboratory organization, the processing of experimental results, and bibliographic research for technical support.

This experience has been essential for my technical and scientific development, while also strengthening my ability to work in international and multidisciplinary environments."

Rogerio Lima dos Santos Junior, 2024 –2026:

"I currently work in the Department of Precision Technology and Automation at Fraunhofer IPT, developing high‑production-rate manufacturing concepts for fuel cell and battery components.

My responsibilities include CAD design, component engineering and selection, roll‑to‑roll machine testing and technical reporting. This program has strengthened my skills in product development and manufacturing engineering, taught me to manage multiple technical workstreams independently, and deepened my understanding of how research translates into industrial applications. Beyond the professional growth, it has been a valuable personal experience in a multicultural environment.

I highly recommend BRAACHEN to students who want to work at the intersection of innovation, manufacturing, and sustainable technologies."