Military Consultant Electromagnetics & Military Operations

About this position

The security of the Netherlands and its allies requires in-depth knowledge and reliable technology. Modern military operations take place across the maritime, land, air, and space domains and are increasingly shaped by complex systems, data, sensors, and technological interconnections.

Within TNO Defence, Safety & Security (DSS), scientists, engineers, and analysts work on technologies that support the Armed Forces in preparing, executing, and evaluating military operations. This expertise comes together within the Electromagnetics & Military Operations (E&MO) division.

Working at E&MO means operating at the heart of defence innovation. Here, consultants, project managers, researchers, engineers, and analysts collaborate closely on technologies and knowledge that are essential for modern military operations. Specialists and generalists work side by side on challenges ranging from concept development and system architecture to integration, testing, and validation in realistic operational environments.

As a consultant within E&MO, you will work at the intersection of content expertise and advisory services. You help clients understand complex challenges in the military and security domain and translate these into clear scenarios, trade-offs, and recommendations that directly support decision-making.

What will be your role?

As a Military Consultant, you will work on a wide range of advisory and research projects for Defence and other public-sector clients. You operate at the intersection of content expertise, analysis, and stakeholder engagement, contributing to both strategic and operational challenges.

Depending on your background and experience, your activities may include:

• Analysing military operations across the maritime, land, air, and space domains;
• Translating technical and analytical insights into clear advice and actionable scenarios;
• Supporting decision-making related to the deployment, development, and use of technology;
• Working on challenges related to information-driven operations, sensors, systems, and capabilities;
• Preparing and facilitating workshops, reviews, and substantive sessions with clients;
• Collaborating with researchers, analysts, engineers, and software engineers within E&MO;
• Writing reports, briefings, and presentations for a variety of audiences.
• You will work in multidisciplinary teams where technical depth and practical applicability come together.

What does UMBRA mean?

UMBRA is the entry point for technical and analytical talent within TNO’s Electromagnetics & Military Operations (E&MO) division, part of the Defence, Safety & Security unit. UMBRA—named after the Latin word for “shadow”—is a “shadow group” in which both early-career talent and senior experts enter the E&MO division.

Together, you will work on mission-critical defence challenges with societal impact, with a strong focus on short-cycle innovation. In practice, this means striving for results within months rather than years. Depending on your experience level and available team capacity, you will also start contributing directly to projects in one of the division’s six research groups.

In addition, you will follow an onboarding program within UMBRA tailored to your experience level and development goals, helping you find the right long-term position. You are expected to transition to one of the division’s research groups after 3–6 months. UMBRA is based in Rijswijk, where you will start your role; after some time, you will move on to the division located in The Hague.

For medior Military Consultants

UMBRA offers you the opportunity to establish yourself within E&MO, deepen your expertise, and independently contribute to complex advisory projects.

For senior Military Consultants

As a senior, you will immediately contribute to strategic challenges. You will help shape approaches, methodologies, and positioning, and often take on a coaching or guiding role within projects.

What we expect from you

This position is open to consultants with varying levels of experience who identify with an analytical, advisory profile.

You recognize yourself in (part of) the following:

• You hold a university (MSc) degree in a relevant field (e.g., technical, science, public administration, security, or operational studies);
• You have experience within Defence, security, and military operations;
• You have experience with or interest in analysis, advisory work, and decision-making processes;
• You are able to structure complex information and translate it into clear recommendations;
• You take initiative, identify opportunities, and proactively contribute ideas for improving assignments and advisory work;
• You are flexible and able to adapt to changing challenges, client needs, and environments;
• You have a collaborative mindset and are able to effectively connect different stakeholders;
• You have a good command of both Dutch and English, written and spoken.

You feel comfortable working in an environment characterized by complexity and uncertainty, and you are able to provide structure and direction in such settings. In addition, you work in a structured and precise manner and take ownership of the quality and impact of your advice.

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 € 4.400 and € 7.700 (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 plus a flexible holiday that can be used on a cultural, religious, or otherwise important day of your choosing (on a full-time basis).
• Flexible working hours, the possibility to work parttime (32 or 36 hours) and the possibility of working from home.
• A good pension scheme.

TNO as an employer

Our people are at the heart of TNO. Their curiosity, expertise and entrepreneurial mindset make it possible to deliver high-impact research and innovations that contribute to society’s sustainable wellbeing and prosperity.

Your talent and ambition have every opportunity to flourish at TNO. You work with experts (both within and beyond TNO), have access to advanced technology and the freedom to explore, experiment and innovate. Our strength lies in independence, reliability and collaboration.