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Thesis Work - The impact of AI-Assisted Development Tools on Manufacturing Software Development

Thesis Worker at Volvo Cars
Welcome to explore the world of Volvo Cars by writing your thesis with us! As a thesis worker in our organization you are supported by a supervisor who follows you during your project. Through your thesis work you will be able to contribute to our company purpose – providing freedom to move in a safe, sustainable and personal way – from day one! 

About this opportunity - Background

The manufacturing industry is undergoing rapid digital transformation, driven by Industry 4.0, automation, and smart factory initiatives. Software systems play a crucial role in enabling efficient operations, predictive maintenance, and data-driven decision-making. However, software development in manufacturing domains often faces challenges such as high system complexity, legacy integration, strict reliability requirements, and limited development resources.


Recent advances in artificial intelligence (AI), particularly in generative AI and large language models (LLMs), present new opportunities to support developers in tasks such as code generation, testing, debugging, documentation, and system integration. By augmenting human developers with AI-assisted tools, organizations can potentially reduce development time, improve software quality, and accelerate innovation in manufacturing applications.

Scope of the thesis work

Although AI coding assistants and related tools are increasingly available, their concrete impact on developer productivity and software quality in manufacturing-specific contexts remains underexplored. There is a need to systematically investigate how AI tools can be applied in real-world manufacturing software projects, what benefits and risks they bring, and how they influence development workflows.


Proposed Research Questions:
1.    How can AI tools (e.g., code assistants, test generators, documentation generators) be integrated into software development processes for manufacturing applications?
2.    How do AI tools influence software quality (e.g., defect rates, maintainability, reliability) in a manufacturing environment?
3.    What are the key challenges and risks (e.g., security, bias, over-reliance) associated with using AI in this context?

 

Methodology:
•    Literature Review: Study existing research on AI-assisted development, productivity measurement, and quality assurance in software engineering and manufacturing IT systems.
•    Case Studies / Experiments: Conduct empirical studies using AI tools (e.g., GitHub Copilot, ChatGPT, Tabnine, CodeWhisperer) in Volvo Cars manufacturing software development, focusing on MES
•    Interviews / Surveys: Collect feedback from developers and domain experts on usability, trust, and acceptance of AI tools.
•    Analysis: Compare AI-assisted and traditional workflows, identify benefits and limitations, and extract insights for best practices.

 

Expected Contributions:
•    A structured assessment of the impact of AI tools on developer productivity and software quality in manufacturing-related software projects.
•    Identification of challenges and risks when adopting AI in industrial development environments.
•    Practical recommendations and guidelines for organizations aiming to implement AI-assisted development in manufacturing applications.

What you'll bring

• Master's Program in either Software Engineering, Data Science, Quality and Operations management or similar. 
• Skills: 

  • Process knowledge of the Software Development lifecycle, version control, testing, and code quality.
  • Basic Machine Learning/AI concepts
  • Programming Experience (Python, Java)
  • Familiarity with Developer Tools (Git & GitHub/GitLab workflow, CI/CD pipelines, Code review practices)
  • Experience with AI-Assisted Development Tools (GitHub Copilot, ChatGPT (for coding assistance) etc)

Duration

•    Tentative proposed thesis work period: 19th January 2026 to 26th of June 2026 (dates can be flexible with +/- 7 days) 
•    The duration for this thesis work is 20 weeks.
•    30 ECTS (Master academic credits) in agreement with your Thesis Advisor at the University
•    The thesis is to be conducted by 2 Students working in pair. 


Volvo Cars. For Life.
For nearly a century, Volvo Cars has empowered people to move freely in a personal, sustainable and safe way. Today, we are driving bold advancements in electrification, sustainability and automotive safety. To realise our ambitious vision, we are seeking innovative minds who are ready to tackle the challenges of tomorrow – today.

At Volvo Cars, we believe extraordinary things are achieved by ordinary people with a passion for making a difference. If you’re inspired by the opportunity to help redefine the future of mobility, we invite you to be part of our journey.

Ready to take the next step?
Your application should include your CV and a brief cover letter outlining your interest in the specific area. Please describe your motivation and highlight any relevant experience, education, or skills. Submit your application in English.

For questions regarding the recruitment process, please contact Recruiter Ayla Kutlay at ayla.kutlay@volvocars.com. For specific questions about the position, please reach out to Hiring Manager Niklas Wahlberg at niklas.wahlberg@volvocars.com.

As part of the recruitment process, the final candidates might undergo a background check.

We welcome your application!

Gothenburg, SE, 40531

Job requisition ID:  77755

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