Senior Legal Counsel

About this position

As Legal Counsel at TNO, you will work at the forefront of cutting-edge technology and contribute to solutions for societal challenges such as climate change, security, mobility, defence, ICT, and medical diagnostics. We are looking for a Senior Legal Counsel to join our Legal Contracting team within the Defence, Safety & Security unit. Would you like to work on meaningful innovations alongside leading companies and driven researchers? Then apply now!

What will be your role?

Your main responsibility is to draft, review, and support with negotiating (R&D) contracts between TNO and its clients and collaboration partners. The substantive focus for this vacancy is on technological innovations. You’ll be the internal legal point of contact for enquiries about the relevant contracts. You’ll collaborate closely with internal and external stakeholders and actively contribute to finding the right balance between legislation, commercial interests, and risks. In addition, you will be in contact with various stakeholders within the organisation, such as, for example, the market directors, business developers and research managers of the relevant unit. You will also fulfil a coordinating role within internal project teams, ensuring good collaboration and progress in legal processes of strategic importance.

You will work within the Legal Contracting department, part of the overall Legal, Compliance & IP department. The Legal Contracting department consists of around 35 motivated legal professionals. The overall Legal, Compliance & IP department consists of lawyers, patent and trademark attorneys, compliance and ethics professionals, contract managers and support staff, spread across the country. So within this 'broad environment', you will have every opportunity to further develop yourself. There are also plenty of opportunities to progress to other positions within the various departments of Legal, Compliance & IP.

The Legal Counsel falls hierarchically under the Head of Legal Contracting, who reports to the General Counsel. Your place of employment is to be determined. You will advise on activities taking place at various TNO sites, including Utrecht, Amsterdam, Delft, The Hague, Eindhoven and Helmond!

What we expect from you

You’re an experienced Legal Counsel (mid-level/senior), who feels at home in dynamic and innovative research environments. You proactively involve the right people and - as a bridge-builder between the various legal departments within Legal, Compliance & IP - keep a close eye on all interests. In this dynamic playing field, you can move smoothly and at the same time are steadfast - making you a valuable and valued legal sounding board.

Other knowledge and skills you bring to TNO:

• A completed legal master's degree in Dutch law or a bachelor's degree in Dutch law.
• Minimum 8 years of relevant work experience in business and/or law.
• Extensive experience drafting, reviewing, and negotiating complex national and international contracts (including service agreements, collaboration agreements, and consortium agreements).
• Affinity with R&D and technological innovations and extensive experience with public-private partnerships is an advantage.
• Business-minded, pragmatic and cooperative, with an eye on legal risk management and focused on constructive collaboration. You act as a trusted advisor to the business, helping to develop pragmatic solutions that enable the achievement of business objectives.
• An excellent command of spoken and written Dutch and English.

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 € 6,000 and € 7,945 (based on your knowledge and experience), 8% holiday pay, a 13^th 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).
• An employer working towards a respectful, inclusive, and equitable work environment where every employee can flourish, with various initiatives such as Jong TNO, numerous expertise based guilds, Rainbow Community and Round Tables on diverse inclusion topics.
• 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.

Read more about tailoring your benefits package.

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. That is why we invest in an inspiring and inclusive working environment where colleagues can excel, have autonomy and continue to grow.

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. We find each other in wonder and ingenuity. We are driven to push boundaries. By working with businesses and government, and by connecting different perspectives, we strengthen our innovative capability and create responsible, meaningful results.

At TNO, we believe this is our time to help society, government and business move forward faster. Together with driven colleagues, you turn knowledge into concrete innovations or ventures that truly make a difference by combining the power of science and entrepreneurship. And in doing so, you make your mark on our time.

The selection process

Please apply before the 26th of July, 2026. The selection process comprises two 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. 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. Read more about security screening.