Reliability Research Engineer

About this job

We are currently looking for a Reliability Research Engineer to join the team in Alkmaar.

In this position, you will be part of a research-driven team focused on advancing the reliability of photonic integrated circuit (PIC)-based systems and optical fiber sensors. You will play a key role in investigating performance limits, developing predictive models, and validating approaches that ensure robust and dependable sensing solutions, especially for demanding and harsh environments, including aerospace-related applications.

The role blends conceptual, model-based thinking with hands-on, practical execution.

Main responsibilities

• Conduct in-depth study and documentation of relevant materials, components, and technologies (approx. 20%).
• Plan and carry out reliability experiments and failure analyses in both lab and field environments, including defining test goals, arranging setups, executing tests, analyzing data, and reporting findings (approx. 30%).
• Develop and validate calculation and simulation models, including accelerated lifetime assessments and environmental stress testing (approx. 20%).
• Support other teams with hands-on testing and qualification activities, including process analyses, verification tasks, and contributions to product risk and root-cause analyses (approx. 20%).
• Engage regularly with suppliers and partners to discuss component performance and participate in field test campaigns.
• Collaborate closely with fellow researchers and engineers across disciplines.

Requirements

• Comfortable working in a fast-moving, agile environment where priorities evolve quickly.
• Enthusiastic about high-tech innovation and motivated to develop deep expertise in advanced sensing technologies.
• Hold a Master’s degree in Physics, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related field, with 3–5 years of relevant industry experience.
• Skilled at communicating complex ideas clearly and able to collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams.
• Based in the Netherlands and available to work on-site in research labs and field settings.

What You Can Expect

• An opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge developments in integrated photonics and optical sensing technology.
• A hands-on environment with direct access to labs, equipment, and real-world applications.
• Close interaction with customers and partners, enabling you to help shape new use cases and solutions.
• A setting that encourages experimentation, innovation, and continual technical growth alongside motivated colleagues.

Our story

At S[&]T we contribute to a safer life on earth by translating space data into valuable and actionable insights. We oversee data from instruments to application, and apply our expertise within our software frameworks, information products and consultancy.

Our society relies on space and scientific instruments for climate change monitoring, navigation, defence and national security, and other crucial services we all use in our daily lives. These instruments produce an enormous quantity of complex data, and our goal is to unlock its value.

We have more than 20 years of experience working on instrument calibration, the creation of data quality monitoring tools, the development of real-time data processing frameworks, and the development of application-specific algorithms. With this, we help organisations, governments and industries to strengthen their information position and thereby improve their decision making. We focus on the following domains: Space & Science, Defence & Security, Environment & Sustainability, and High-Tech Consulting.