Business Developer Energy Positive Built Environment

A future where everyone lives energy positive want to play a key role in making that happen? You can, as a Business Developer within TNO’s Mobility & Built Environment unit! In this role you will directly contribute to our ambition to work with companies, governments and knowledge institutions on a sustainable, flexible, and truly energy positive built environment.

The urgency is clear: the energy transition is driving rapid growth in electric applications within buildings such as heat pumps, electric mobility, and local solar generation. At the same time, the electricity grid is increasingly reaching its limits, resulting in grid congestion. That’s why flexibility solutions are essential: by intelligently controlling when energy is used or generated, peak loads can be avoided without sacrificing comfort. TNO develops the knowledge and innovations needed to make buildings and neighborhoods more sustainable, better, faster, healthier, more affordable and nature inclusive.

In this role, you will work on developing and bringing market innovations that enable homes, utility buildings, and neighborhoods to become energy positive, with a special focus on flexibility solutions that help prevent grid congestion.
Your work focuses on four promising TNO propositions:

• Smart control of heat pumps based on thermal forecasting and Model Predictive Control to reduce simultaneous demand peaks while maintaining comfort.
• Energy profile forecasting for congestion free homes, utility buildings, and neighborhoods: a design model that accurately predicts electricity demand during the planning phase.
• Dynamic flexibility forecasting for utility buildings and collective systems: a model that predicts available flexibility and helps avoid penalties or unnecessary investments.
• Development of technologies for all electric public real estate, such as schools and hospitals.

In your role you will:

• Identify market needs, opportunities, early adopters, and new partnerships.
• Support researchers with market exploration and help refine propositions.
• Assess, together with TNO Ventures, which solutions are suitable for spin offs or licensing models.
• Build collaborations with companies, governments and other research institutions.
• Develop project proposals and form consortia for innovation programs.
• Conduct client meetings, manage contract negotiations, and maintain relationships across the broader ecosystem.
• Represent TNO at conferences, trade fairs, and relevant professional networks.

You are energized by working at the intersection of innovation (technical and social), societal impact and entrepreneurship. You connect interests, assess market potential and guide strategic decision making with clarity.
You also bring:

• A master’s degree in (technical) business administration, architecture, energy engineering, or a comparable field.
• At least 5 years of relevant experience in the energy transition, the built environment, innovation and/or business development.
• Experience with acquisition, consortium building and public private collaboration.
• Affinity with energy flexibility, building installations, heat pumps or digital design models is a strong plus.
• Experience with spin off creation, IP valorisation or licensing models is a clear advantage.
• Excellent communication skills, a collaborative mindset, and experience in developing strategic market positions at senior level.

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 € 4,600 and € 6,400 (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 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.
• An employer that values and encourages diverse talent, with initiatives like the Female Leadership Program, our Rainbow Community and round tables on inclusion topics.
• We offer a comprehensive and flexible mobility plan that also includes full compensation for public transportation for commuting and business travel or a leased car.
• 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.

Read more about tailoring your benefits package.

The MBE unit consists of 9 research groups, various research facilities, and around 480 independently working professionals from both the Netherlands and abroad. They are passionately committed, as an innovation partner to businesses and governments, to accelerating the sustainability of the built environment while simultaneously strengthening the Dutch economy.
As a Business Developer, you are part of the Built Environment market team, working alongside 13 driven colleagues, each focusing on a specific segment of this broad domain. You collaborate closely with researchers from areas including Building Materials & Systems, Reliable Structures, Digital Built Environment, and Building Energy Systems.

At TNO, we innovate for a healthier, safer and more sustainable life. And for a strong economy. Since 1932, we have been making knowledge and technology available for the common good. 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. Read more about TNO as an employer.

At TNO we encourage an inclusive work environment, where you can be yourself. Whatever your story and whatever unique qualities you bring to the table. It is by combining our unique strengths and perspectives that we are able to develop innovations that make a real difference in society. Want to know more? Read what steps we are taking in the area of diversity, equity and inclusion.

Please apply before the 29th of March, 2026. The selection process comprises two (or three) interview rounds. In a final meeting we will discuss the terms of employment and your tailored benefits package. We aim to finalize the entire process within four weeks.

The selection process may include an online assessment and a reference check.

A certificate of Conduct (VOG) is required before starting a new job at TNO.