Process Engineer Energetic Systems

Want to make your mark on our time? Become a Process Engineer Energetic Systems at TNO in Ypenburg (The Hague)!

About this position

Contribute directly to Europe’s independence in the production of energetic and explosive materials. In a world where security of supply, safety and innovation must go hand in hand, you play a key role in developing and enabling access to critical energetic systems that are essential for defence, safety, and industry.

What will be your role?

In this role, you will work within the Energetic Systems (ES) expertise group. This team oversees the entire chain—from the source (synthesis, production, processing, storage, and transport) to end-of-life (environmental aspects and destruction). Our knowledge and capabilities are applied across various markets: from defence to space, from chemistry to national security. This is just a small glimpse of the work TNO carries out for the defence and security domain and for industry.

At TNO, we work on future applications that make a real difference. You will be part of project teams with a shared goal: providing clients with new products or production technologies. The outcomes of these projects range from feasibility studies and analyses to the development of complete skids used to demonstrate new production technologies.

You will often work on multiple projects/topics simultaneously and switch between subjects throughout your workweek. You translate research questions regarding new production methods into concrete project steps. Together with teams of varying composition, you work toward the final goal. Your focus lies on translating lab-scale chemistry into setups that demonstrate how a synthetic step can be converted into a production process. Initially, these may concern individual components of the production process, but the end goal may also be the design, construction, and demonstration of a full skid. A key challenge is that we work with energetic materials, which means that safety must always be fully guaranteed. You enjoy taking the lead in projects of this nature.

About the team

The Energetic Systems (ES) expertise group is a global player in the field of energetic systems and has unique, modern facilities for handling and testing these materials. This diverse group consists of approximately 40 professionals with backgrounds in chemistry, aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, or physics. Together, they work on national and international projects for the Ministry of Defence and the civilian market, including the defence industry, chemical industry, space sector, and various Dutch governmental bodies.

What we expect from you

Through your education and/or experience, you bring sufficient expertise to devise creative solutions for chemical reactions and processes, translate these into a skid design for those processes, and arrange for their construction. During and after construction, you take responsibility for testing and further optimizing these systems to ensure efficiency and reliability. You use your strong analytical and problem solving skills and pay careful attention to documenting designs, processes, and test results.

You work proactively and independently, while also collaborating effectively with colleagues to set up and successfully complete complex projects in which you translate laboratory research into practical and scalable solutions. Throughout this work, you demonstrate entrepreneurship, flexibility, and strong communication skills, enabling you to switch smoothly between different tasks and stakeholders.

What you also bring

• Specific process engineering competencies, demonstrated through:
• A completed MSc degree in Chemical Engineering, Process Technology, or a related field.
• At least 5 years of experience in a comparable role.
• Experience translating batch processes into continuous processes.
• Experience scaling up from lab scale to pilot/industrial scale.
• Experience in designing and constructing skids and process installations.
• Preferably, specific knowledge of separation and purification techniques.

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 € 4.500,- and € 6.100,- (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.

Perhaps you would like to grow your career in the direction of commerce or consultancy? Or would you like to become a project manager? Immerse yourself in sustainable innovations? Or carve out a career as a technical expert?

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 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. 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.

Safety is not something that can be taken for granted. That's why the work you do here, in any position, is meaningful and has an impact on society. Jane Duinisveld Corporate Recruiter