Manufacturing Application Engineer MES | Eindhoven

Want to make your mark on our time? Become a Manufacturing Application Engineer MES at TNO in Eindhoven!

About this position

At the forefront of Europe’s photonics innovation, TNO is building a state-of-the-art pilot line for Indium Phosphide (InP) photonic chips at the High Tech Campus in Eindhoven. As part of the EU-funded PIXEurope program, this pilot line will enable the transition from groundbreaking research to large-scale industrial manufacturing, making advanced photonic technologies faster, more reliable, and widely accessible.

What will be your role?

As the factory environment evolves, reliable digital infrastructure becomes essential. Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES), equipment connectivity, and production data platforms play a critical role in ensuring stable, traceable, and efficient manufacturing processes.

To support the development and operation of this new manufacturing environment, we are looking for an Manufacturing Application Engineer. In this role, you contribute to the configuration, integration, and continuous improvement of the application systems that enable daily factory operations.

You will operate at the interface of manufacturing, engineering, and IT, ensuring that production applications accurately support shopfloor processes, equipment integration, and real-time production data flows. Your work directly contributes to the reliability, scalability, and efficiency of the factory as it evolves from pilot line development to full-scale wafer manufacturing.

As Manufacturing Application Engineer, you are responsible for supporting and improving the application landscape that enables our wafer manufacturing processes. You will work closely with production, engineering, and IT teams to ensure that manufacturing systems such as MES provide reliable and scalable support for shopfloor operations. You contribute to the configuration of digital production workflows, the integration of manufacturing equipment, and the monitoring of production data across the factory environment. As processes evolve and production volumes increase, you help ensure that application systems remain stable, efficient, and aligned with operational needs.

Working in a high-tech wafer manufacturing environment, you will play an important role in connecting production equipment, manufacturing processes, and digital systems to support the successful scaling of photonic wafer production.

Key responsibilities

Support and optimize manufacturing applications

• Analyse manufacturing and engineering workflows to identify opportunities for improving system usage, efficiency, and process control.
• Collaborate with Production, Engineering, and IT teams to translate operational needs into application configurations and system improvements.
• Improve real-time data visibility, reporting accuracy, and production monitoring within factory applications.

MES configuration and system support

• Support the configuration, maintenance, and continuous improvement of the Manufacturing Execution System (MES).
• Maintain MES workflows, process steps, routing definitions, and production recipes to ensure accurate digital execution of manufacturing processes.
• Assist in system upgrades, testing activities, documentation, and user support.

Equipment integration and shopfloor connectivity

• Support the integration of manufacturing equipment with MES and related factory systems.
• Assist in connecting equipment using standard industrial communication interfaces such as SECS/GEM, OPC-UA, or REST-based integrations.
• Monitor equipment communication, alarms, and data flows to ensure reliable production data collection and traceability.

Application reliability and troubleshooting

• Monitor the health, performance, and availability of production applications and related systems.
• Troubleshoot application and integration issues in collaboration with IT teams and external vendors.
• Contribute to root cause investigations and system improvements to minimize downtime and improve operational reliability.

Process improvement and data analysis

• Use production data to support process optimization, capacity monitoring, and manufacturing efficiency improvements.
• Contribute to initiatives aimed at improving production scheduling, work-in-progress tracking, and overall factory performance.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives using structured methodologies such as Lean or Six Sigma.

Documentation and knowledge sharing

• Maintain documentation of application configurations, workflows, and operational procedures.
• Support training and knowledge sharing with production and engineering users to ensure proper system usage and best practices.
• Contribute to a culture of continuous improvement across manufacturing and engineering teams.

What we expect from you

You are a technically minded engineer with a strong analytical mindset and a solid interest in manufacturing systems, factory automation, and digital production environments.

You bring:

• A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Information Technology, Industrial Automation, or a related technical discipline.
• Approximately 3–7 years of experience working with production applications in a manufacturing or semiconductor environment.
• Hands-on experience supporting or configuring Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) or similar production applications.
• Understanding of manufacturing workflows, production processes, and equipment behaviour in a technical production environment.
• Experience with equipment integration concepts and industrial communication interfaces such as SECS/GEM, OPC-UA, or similar standards.
• Experience analysing production data using tools such as SQL, Excel, or reporting tools to support operational insights.
• Familiarity with process optimization methodologies such as Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma.
• Strong troubleshooting skills and the ability to identify root causes of system or process-related issues.
• The ability to communicate effectively with multidisciplinary teams including production, engineering, IT, and external vendors.
• A structured and proactive working style with strong documentation and problem-solving skills.

What you'll get in return

Challenging and varied work with a real impact. And plenty of opportunities as, at TNO, you are in charge of shaping your career. We offer a gross monthly salary (based on your knowledge and experience), 8% holiday pay, a 13th month bonus of 8.33% and a flex budget (5.58% + € 180). In addition, you will be given every opportunity to develop yourself.

TNO offers optional employee benefits, enabling you to tailor your benefits package to match your personal situation. You may also expect:

• An extremely professional, innovative working environment where colleagues are leading experts in their field.
• The opportunity to attend courses, workshops and conferences, and to receive training and coaching based on your needs.
• 33 days annual leave on a full-time basis plus a flexible holiday (prorated) that can be used on a cultural, religious, or otherwise important day of your choosing.
• We offer a comprehensive and flexible mobility plan that also includes full compensation for public transportation for commuting and business travel.
• Great social events with your team and other TNO colleagues. That’s how you will get to know a lot of people really quickly.
• Flexible working hours, the possibility to work parttime (32 of 36 hours) and the possibility of working from home.
• Extensive relocation package for international candidates.
• A good pension scheme.

TNO as an employer

At TNO, we innovate for a healthier, safer and more sustainable life. And for a strong economy. There is all the space and support for your talent and ambition. You work with people who will challenge you: who inspire you and want to learn from you. Our state-of-the-art facilities are there to realize your vision. What you do at TNO matters: impact makes the difference. Because with every innovation you contribute to tomorrow’s world.