Senior Operator - Semiconductor

About this position

At the forefront of Europe's photonics innovation, TNO is building a state-of-the-art pilot line for Indium Phosphide (InP) photonic chips at the High Tech Campus in Eindhoven. As part of the EU-funded PIXEurope program, this pilot line will enable the transition from groundbreaking research to large-scale industrial manufacturing, making advanced photonic technologies faster, more reliable, and widely accessible.

To help realize this ambitious step, we are looking for a Senior Operator. In this role, you will independently operate and optimize advanced semiconductor production equipment in our cleanroom facility, ensuring stable, high-quality manufacturing of integrated photonic chips. With your technical expertise and hands-on approach, you will play a key role in maintaining production excellence while supporting engineers in introducing and improving manufacturing processes that will shape the future of European photonics.

Explore your next destination: Inp Photonic Chip Pilot Line

What will be your role?

As a Senior Operator, you are responsible for operating, monitoring, and optimizing complex manufacturing equipment within a high-tech cleanroom environment. You ensure that production processes run safely, efficiently, and according to the highest quality standards. Working closely with process engineers, equipment engineers, and fellow operators, you contribute to reliable wafer manufacturing while actively supporting continuous improvement initiatives.

Beyond your operational responsibilities, you serve as a technical role model within the team. You coach less experienced colleagues, help resolve complex production issues, and contribute to the successful implementation of new processes and equipment.

Key responsibilities include:

• Independently operating advanced production equipment across multiple process areas, including lithography, etching, metrology, and related manufacturing clusters. 
• Executing both standard production runs and more complex process flows, including the handling of non-standard wafers. 
• Performing visual inspections, identifying process deviations, and assessing rework possibilities where required. 
• Monitoring process performance, accurately documenting production data, and reporting deviations. 
• Working in accordance with cleanroom procedures, safety regulations, and quality standards. 
• Supporting process improvement initiatives by contributing to activities such as SPC, FMEA, and root cause analyses. 
• Troubleshooting first-line equipment and process issues while supporting engineers during more complex investigations. 
• Performing basic preventive maintenance and assisting with equipment qualification activities. 
• Executing test runs and experimental process assignments for process engineers. 
• Evaluating and improving operational procedures to increase process stability, quality, and efficiency. 
• Coaching and mentoring junior operators, supporting onboarding activities, and acting as a technical point of contact within the operations team. 
• Collaborating closely with process engineers, equipment engineers, and shift leads to ensure smooth and reliable production.

Training and collaboration

As part of your onboarding, you will participate in an training program at SMART Photonics, where you will spend approximately six months becoming familiar with the manufacturing processes, equipment, and operational standards used. As Smart Photonics is a partner in developing the pilot line, an interview with Smart Photonics will be part of the recruitment process.

During your training period, you will work closely with both Smart Photonics and TNO colleagues. Although your day-to-day training will primarily take place at Smart Photonics in the beginning, you will regularly attend meetings, knowledge-sharing sessions, and team gatherings at TNO's location in Eindhoven. This ensures you become fully integrated into the TNO organization, build strong relationships with your TNO colleagues, and stay closely connected to the development of the pilot line throughout your training period.

Following your training, you will join TNO's pilot line at the High Tech Campus in Eindhoven. While the pilot line does not yet operate in a 5-shift schedule from the start, it is expected to transition towards continuous operations as manufacturing activities scale up. We therefore ask candidates to be flexible and willing to work in a 5-shift schedule in the future.

What we expect from you

You are an experienced semiconductor or high-tech manufacturing professional who enjoys working in a precision-driven cleanroom environment. You combine technical expertise with a proactive mindset and take ownership of your work. You are comfortable handling complex production situations, enjoy solving problems, and naturally support colleagues by sharing your knowledge and experience.

You also bring the following qualifications:

• A technical vocational (MBO) degree, VAPRO A, B or C certification, or a Bachelor's degree in a relevant technical discipline.
• At least 7 years of experience operating complex production equipment in a semiconductor, photonics, or similarly advanced manufacturing environment.
• Experience working in cleanroom environments and following strict quality and safety procedures.
• Proven ability to troubleshoot equipment and process-related issues independently.
• Experience supporting process optimization and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Familiarity with quality improvement methodologies such as SPC, FMEA, 8D, or similar structured problem-solving techniques.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively with engineers, technicians, and production teams.
• Experience coaching or training colleagues and acting as an informal technical leader within an operations team.
• A proactive, quality-focused mindset with a strong sense of ownership and continuous improvement.

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 (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.
• 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 2nd of August, 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.