Senior consultant (uncrewed) Ship Design

Want to make your mark on our time? Become a Senior consultant (uncrewed) Ship Design at TNO in Delft!

About this position

A livable future for everyone – that is what we, as the Naval and Offshore Structures department, contribute to. We design, analyse, and test a wide range of mechanical structures for the maritime and offshore industry and for defence applications. The safety of these structures, under the most extreme conditions and throughout their entire service life, is central to our work.

What will be your role?

The naval vessels of the future require a new perspective on design, their crews, and the challenges related to ship vulnerability. We support defence through applied research focused on protecting ships and their crews, even during high intensity conflicts. In addition, we explore the potential of uncrewed vessels and how these developments are changing ship design. Does this sound interesting, uncrewed would you like to contribute to sustainable and safe ships of the future? Then this position is for you!

As a Senior consultant Ship Design, you translate your vision on ship vulnerability of military crewed and uncrewed vessels into concrete research activities and innovations for Defence. You understand the challenges of the industry as well as the solution space within TNO. Together with a team of specialists, you analyse, assess, and experiment with maritime military, crewed and uncrewed, systems to enable the implementation of groundbreaking solutions. As a senior consultant, you combine your experience and expertise in ship design and structures with in depth market knowledge and a strong professional network. Together with our partners, you help shape the direction of future ship designs. In addition, you work with our experts to further develop our research on uncrewed vessels in close collaboration with industry and government.

You will work within a multidisciplinary team of experts from various fields, in close cooperation with clients and/or partners both within and outside the department. As a Senior Consultant, you are well acquainted with our customers, provide high level strategic advice, and have a strong influence on defining our research strategy. Furthermore, you are active in (inter)national scientific forums and initiate collaborations with industry and universities. You also contribute to increasing TNO’s visibility, for example through publications and presentations.

You will join the Naval and Offshore Structures department, consisting of 57 motivated experts with backgrounds in maritime engineering, civil engineering, aerospace engineering, applied physics and mechanical engineering. Thanks to our well-equipped mechanical testing laboratories, practical and theoretical knowledge go hand in hand, enabling us to solve highly complex problems and validate innovative structural solutions. Collaboration with other TNO laboratories and experts allows us to address additional challenges such as fluid dynamics and blast and shock resistance. Our research ranges from the safe use of alternative fuels on board ships and the structural safety of offshore wind turbines to shock- and explosion-resistant ship structures. We work on today’s key challenges: the energy transition and increasing safety at sea.

What we expect from you

You hold a completed technical academic degree (for example in Maritime Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or Civil Engineering), with a specialisation in the design of structures and systems. You have extensive experience (10+ years) in the maritime sector, for example at a shipyard. Knowledge of the military domain is an advantage. You have a strong theoretical foundation combined with practical insight into the behaviour of structures and systems and the consequences of design choices. Finally, you have a strong network within the maritime and defence sectors. You have an open mindset and are able to connect system requirements, design, and structural solutions.

In addition to technical expertise, we place strong emphasis on communication skills and a customer and results oriented approach, enabling effective teamwork towards end results that are usable and applicable for our clients. You have demonstrated the ability to develop vision and strategy and to translate research questions into concrete projects. You have experience in providing substantive leadership to teams and in successfully delivering complex projects. You are proficient in both Dutch and English, spoken and written.

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 between € 5,900 and € 7,500 (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.
• Flexible working hours, the possibility to work parttime (32 or 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. We find each other in wonder and ingenuity. We are driven to push boundaries. 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.