System Engineer Electromagnetics & Military Operations

About this position

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 working at the heart of defence innovation. Here, 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.

What will be your role?

As a System Engineer within E&MO, you will work on developing, integrating, and validating complex technological solutions for Defence. You operate at the intersection of technology, user needs, and operational application, ensuring that different disciplines come together in one functioning system.

Depending on your background and interests, your focus may include:

• Translating operational customer needs into technical solutions;
• System architecture and requirements engineering;
• Integration of hardware, software, and sensor systems;
• Verification and validation of complex systems;
• Prototype development and operational demonstrations;
• Model-Based Systems Engineering (e.g., SysML, Capella, MagicDraw, or Archimate);
• Applications within Electronic Warfare, radar, communication, and counter-drone systems.

You will collaborate with multidisciplinary teams of engineers, scientists, and end users, while maintaining an overview of the complete system. You are able to translate scientific insights and new technologies into practical applications within the defence and security domain.

What does joining via 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” where 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 aiming for results within months rather than years. Depending on your experience level and available team capacity, you will also start working on projects in one of the division’s 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. Typically, you will 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 transition to the division located in The Hague.

For junior system engineers

You will start in UMBRA with an onboarding program where you are introduced to the defence context, the E&MO domains, and TNO’s way of working. You will work on clearly defined assignments and gradually develop your experience in systems thinking, integration, and validation.

For medior system engineers

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

For senior system engineers

As a senior, you will immediately contribute to complex projects. You will help shape system architecture, technical decisions, and development directions, and often take on a coaching or guiding role within teams. In addition, you will play a key role in translating research outcomes into operational, deployable systems.

What we expect from you

This position is open to system engineers with varying levels of experience who want to work on complex technological and operational challenges.

You recognize yourself in (part of) the following profile:

• You hold an MSc degree in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Applied Physics, Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a similar field;
• You have affinity with complex system architectures and system integration;
• You have experience with requirements management, verification and validation, or system design;
• Knowledge of model-based systems engineering tools and methodologies is a plus;
• You are able to switch between conceptual thinking and practical implementation;
• You take initiative, identify opportunities, and proactively contribute ideas for improving systems and processes;
• You are flexible and able to adapt to changing requirements, insights, and project dynamics;
• You are interested in defence and security-related challenges;
• You have a good command of both Dutch and English, written and spoken.

In addition, you work in a structured and precise manner, have strong analytical skills, and maintain an overview in complex environments. You collaborate effectively in multidisciplinary teams and take ownership of the quality and reliability of your work.

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 € 3.500 and € 4.400 (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).
• 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.
• 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.

At TNO, you turn knowledge into concrete innovations or ventures that truly make a difference by combining the power of science and entrepreneurship.

As you will be working for clients in the domain of defence and security, a Certificate of No Objection issued by AIVD (the Dutch General Intelligence and Security Service) is mandatory. This means you will have to undergo a security screening.