Master Thesis, 30 HP: Enhancing Subsea Navigation: Advanced Underwater Current Estimation for Autonomous Vehicles

Are you a student eager to apply your theoretical knowledge and fresh perspectives to real-world challenges? At Saab, we believe that innovation thrives on new ideas, and your master thesis project could be the spark that ignites our next technological breakthrough.

Your Role

The underwater domain presents unique challenges and is a core interest of Saab for state-of-the-art solutions. We are looking for one or two students to implement a filter algorithm to estimate the water current speed and direction in an autonomous underwater vehicle.

We recognize the immense value that students bring to our company. Your academic rigor, combined with your enthusiasm for cutting-edge technology, allows you to approach problems with a unique and insightful lens. At Saab, you'll have the opportunity to collaborate with experienced engineers and specialists, gaining invaluable practical experience while making a tangible contribution to our growth and development.

Background

In recent years, the defense of critical underwater infrastructure has been gaining attention, with a subsequent, ever-increasing interest in industry to provide the best solutions. Saab has a large number of underwater vehicles, be it AUVs (Autonomous Underwater Vehicles) or ROVs (Remotely Operated Vehicles), and to stay ahead of the competition the need for research and development is critical. Guidance, navigation and control of these vehicles is necessary, but demanding, presenting wide possibilities for improvements.

Underwater navigation, especially at great depths and for extended durations, is particularly demanding. The inability to use Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) underwater complicates matters. One of the primary challenges is accounting for water currents. Relying solely on an Inertial Measurement System (INS) makes it difficult to maintain accurate speed relative to the earth, leading to significant navigation errors over time. This master thesis aims to address this issue by exploring filter-based methods to extract more information from existing INS systems.

Description of the master thesis

The primary goal of this master thesis is to investigate whether filter techniques can enhance the information obtained from an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU), particularly in estimating the direction and strength of underwater currents with good initial guesses.

• Literature Review: Conduct a comprehensive literature study to identify suitable methods for current estimation. One idea could be Interactive Multiple Models (IMM).
• Simulation Model: Select and implement a 6-degree-of-freedom simulation model in a preferred platform (e.g., MATLAB/Simulink, Unity, or Gazebo).
• Water Current Simulation: Simulate water currents and implement filter techniques to estimate current parameters.
• Performance Analysis: Evaluate the performance requirements of the IMU to achieve replicable results and determine the scenarios in which the filter solution is effective or limited.

Your Profile

Interested students should have a strong background in control systems, signal processing, sensor fusion and simulation techniques. Experience with MATLAB/Simulink, Unity, or Gazebo is a plus but not required. The thesis will be supervised by a Saab engineer, providing a unique opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research in the underwater domain.

Kindly observe that this is an ongoing recruitment process and that the position might be filled before the closing date of the advertisement.

This position requires that you pass a security vetting based on the current regulations around/of security protection. For positions requiring security clearance additional obligations on citizenship may apply.

What You Will Be A Part Of

Explore a wealth of possibilities. Take on challenges, create smart inventions, and grow beyond. This is a place for curious minds, brave pioneers, and everyone in between. Together, we achieve the extraordinary, each bringing our unique perspectives. Your part matters.

Saab is a leading defence and security company with an enduring mission, to help nations keep their people and society safe. Empowered by its 26,000 talented people, Saab constantly pushes the boundaries of technology to create a safer and more sustainable world.

Saab designs, manufactures and maintains advanced systems in aeronautics, weapons, command and control, sensors and underwater systems. Saab is headquartered in Sweden. It has major operations all over the world and is part of the domestic defence capability of several nations. Read more about us here

Last Application Day

24-11-2025.

Contact Information

Marina Rantanen Modéer, Manager

+46 734 1818 35

Marina.Rantanenmodeer@Saabgroup.Com

Axel Jemsson, Master’s Thesis Supervisor

+46 102 1533 51

Axel.Jemsson@Saabgroup.Com