Thesis Internship - Frontend (RUN Systems)

In a nutshell

Picnic Runners use Zebra handheld devices to run the Runner App during their shifts. Keeping them safe on the road is a priority, and we’re exploring whether these devices’ cameras could help detect driver distraction in real time and alert the Runner. Recordings could also help us understand what happened if an accident occurs. As a thesis intern with our RUN Systems team, you’ll investigate what’s technically feasible and build a prototype to test it. The project spans the Runner App, on-device machine learning and the backend pipeline for storing and syncing data. You’ll combine your Master’s thesis with hands-on experiments and share evidence to help the team decide what to explore next.

This is a full-time thesis internship.

Tricks of the Trade

Solving real-life puzzles: Explore whether the Zebra devices our Runners already use can help detect driver distraction and support accident analysis.

Enabling: Test the devices’ camera capabilities and technical limits, from inference speed, memory and battery use to secure storage and variable network coverage.

Building: Prototype the flow from camera capture and on-device detection to live alerts, shift-specific recording storage and reliable backend sync.

Communicating: Work with RUN Systems and colleagues across the Runner App, logistics and backend teams to share findings and shape practical next steps.

Owning your project: Take initiative, challenge assumptions and learn through hands-on testing. Your experiments will help us understand what’s possible and where to go next.

Your superpowers

You’re enrolled in a Master’s program in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Information Technology, Computer Engineering or a related technical field.

You have some hands-on experience with React.

You’re interested in machine learning or computer vision. Experience with Python, model development or on-device inference is a plus.

You’re keen to work across app development and backend data flows. Experience with React Native, Java, APIs or data pipelines is helpful.

You enjoy investigating open-ended technical questions, testing your assumptions and explaining what you learn.

Experience with mobile device constraints, camera APIs, robotics or logistics is a plus.

You are available 5 days a week to work from our office in Amsterdam, starting as soon as possible.

You are fluent in both verbal and written English and available for at least 6 months.

Picnic Perks

✍🏼 Every expert was once a beginner!
You will gain real-world experience as part of a top-notch tech team. You’ll get plenty of opportunities to challenge yourself and grow, including the Lunch & Learn sessions, and Tech Academy workshops.

🌍Make a difference
You’ll work in an awesome startup environment with the freedom to drive your own projects and create a visible impact. Our fully electric vehicles and sustainable business model mean you’ll also be contributing to making the world a better place!

🤝Teamwork makes the dream work
With more than 80 nationalities across 3 countries, you’ll be part of a diverse company with plenty of cool stuff to get involved with, from board game evenings to after-work drinks to our company ski trip and more!

🥗Fresh Lunch, coffee, and snacks

Our offices are equipped with fully-fledged coffee bars and a kitchen and chefs. They prepare delicious fresh and warm lunches every day so you can keep your energy up.

💪Stay healthy
Mental health is important. As well as having the option to speak with Picnic colleagues who act as confidential advisors, our collaboration with OpenUp gives you easy access to professional psychologists, along with workshops and materials.
There are plenty of sports communities and events to get involved with, from tennis to yoga to climbing!

💰Attractive package
We offer €800 per month gross salary for a full-time internship.

A bit about us

When you join Picnic, you’re joining the shopping revolution, delivering groceries to millions of people across Europe, and we’re growing fast. Think super fresh products and personal service, but in a modern, sustainable way. The tech team at Picnic is at the core of Picnic. From deep learning models to forecast orders to delivery algorithms to warehouse logistics: we’ve built it all from the ground up. You’ll thrive here if you’re a problem solver with a pro-active mindset who’s not afraid to be challenged daily.

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Recruitment Process

CV screening

Phone screening

Home assignment

Assignment review

Interviews

Offer

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Commitment to equal opportunities

Picnic is an equal opportunity employer—this means that all decisions regarding applications will be based on qualifications and merit. Applicants will be regarded independently of age, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, ethnicity, skin color, civil status, religious beliefs, physical or mental disability, or any other factors protected by law.
At Picnic, we celebrate and value our differences and are committed to building a safe and inclusive working environment where everyone can be themselves.

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Our Mentality

At Picnic, we build from scratch with an owner’s mindset. We dive into the unknown, taking end-to-end responsibility for every outcome, going the extra mile to tackle complex challenges. We turn insights into action, working as a team to get things done. We move fast, never compromising on quality or long-term impact. With grit and commitment we build what has never been built before!

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Get in touch with our recruiters

Sarah Megawe - Recruiter

Engineering

📍 Amsterdam

Staff AI Engineer - Agentic Shopping

Engineering

📍 Amsterdam

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