TNO

About this position

We have become increasingly accustomed to having information available anytime and anywhere. This applies both to our personal lives and to businesses and government organizations. On the one hand, the widespread availability of information and communication capabilities makes life easier, but at the same time it creates a strong dependence on the underlying systems. Without reliable communication infrastructures, processes are disrupted, and there is a risk that vital parts of society could come to a standstill.

Recent conflicts have demonstrated how these vulnerabilities can be exploited to create chaos or gain operational advantage. In military operations, information superiority is crucial to success, which is why there is a strong dependence on C2ISR (Command and Control, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance) and the supporting systems that enable these capabilities. Because military operations rely heavily on wireless communications and radio systems, the importance of Electronic Warfare continues to increase. Achieving dominance within the electromagnetic spectrum is therefore an ongoing objective.

Within a team of electrical engineers, physicists, and mathematicians, we work on innovations aimed at building Situational Awareness by observing activities in the electromagnetic (EM) spectrum, identifying and mitigating vulnerabilities in friendly systems, and developing measures to influence adversary systems through the EM spectrum. We primarily carry out this work for clients within Defence, the police, and the justice domain. We collaborate with national and international partners in multidisciplinary projects, scientific panels, and NATO working groups.

You will join TNO Defence, Safety & Security, within the Electromagnetics & Military Operations (E&MO) division. Here, researchers, software engineers, systems engineers, and analysts work daily on innovative technologies for Defence and security. Our expertise ranges from radar and sensor technology to electronic warfare, simulation, data analytics, and operational decision-making. We work closely with Defence organizations, research institutions, and international partners on solutions that contribute to a safer world.

Within E&MO, you will be given considerable freedom to take initiative, develop new ideas, and grow professionally. You will work alongside colleagues who are equally driven to translate technological innovation into practical solutions.

What will be your role?

As an Expert Wireless Communications, you will work on innovative and challenging projects, particularly for Defence and the public safety and security domain. Your role will be to contribute, together with a project team, to research and innovation efforts that help customers solve their operational challenges. These challenges relate to the electromagnetic spectrum and, in particular, the signals generated by communication systems and wireless connections. This may involve intercepting signals from the electromagnetic spectrum and analysing them in order to map adversary communications and derive information about an opponent and their intentions.

In addition to this electronic surveillance of the spectrum, active capabilities also play an important role. Research and development activities focus on techniques that can disrupt, manipulate, or spoof signals in the spectrum. These capabilities are employed to protect against threats, for example improvised explosive devices triggered remotely or drones that pose security risks. Based on knowledge of signals within the electromagnetic spectrum and techniques for manipulating them, cyber operations conducted through wireless connections are developed. You will contribute your expertise to this field of Cyber Electromagnetic Activities (CEMA).

You will also conduct research into analytical methodologies for understanding wireless communication protocols, both civilian and military, intercepting information, manipulating signals, exploiting vulnerabilities, and locating transmitters. You will achieve this by making intelligent use of modern methods and techniques in signal and protocol analysis, machine learning, digital signal processing, simulation, system implementation using Software Defined Radio, and software tooling. Using these approaches, you will evaluate new methods and techniques and implement them in prototypes.

Working through UMBRA

You will start within UMBRA, an innovative environment where new colleagues collaborate on the technological challenges of tomorrow. You will become part of a multidisciplinary team of software engineers, systems engineers, project managers, researchers, and analysts who contribute to a wide variety of research and development projects.

From your first day, you will contribute to active projects and have the opportunity to explore different technologies, research groups, and application domains within the E&MO division. This enables you to discover where your knowledge, experience, and ambitions can have the greatest impact. Depending on the challenges at hand and your expertise, you will collaborate with various research groups and disciplines. This diversity allows you to gain experience across multiple technologies and application areas while making a valuable contribution to ongoing Defence projects and building a broad network within the division.

The strength of UMBRA lies in the combination of societal impact, technical challenge, and personal development. You will contribute to innovative solutions for current Defence challenges while simultaneously having the opportunity to further develop your expertise in new technologies and domains. Whether you are at the beginning of your career or already bring extensive experience, UMBRA provides the level of responsibility and support that matches your knowledge and experience. Junior colleagues are guided by experienced professionals, while mid-level and senior engineers are given the opportunity to shape technical solutions, coach colleagues, and play an important role in developing new areas of expertise.

What we expect from you

You are able to work within a team, applying your expertise to develop solutions and innovations and translating them into tangible prototypes. You possess strong analytical capabilities and excellent communication skills, enabling effective collaboration with fellow experts and the successful presentation of results to clients. In addition, you are flexible, pragmatic when necessary, curious, and able to switch effectively between priorities. You will be working on multiple topics and projects simultaneously, always keeping the operational application in mind.

What else do you bring?

• An MSc degree in Electrical Engineering or Information Technology (for example in Telecommunications & Sensing Systems, Wireless Communication & Sensing, Signals & Systems, or Connected World Technologies).
• Demonstrable knowledge of and professional experience with wireless communication systems, telecommunications protocols, and the associated digital signal processing techniques.
• A solid understanding of the functional elements within the transmission and reception chains of modern wireless communication systems, with the ability to connect theoretical concepts to practical hardware and software implementations.
• Experience with Software Defined Radio (SDR) and the development of custom applications.
• Knowledge of and experience with embedded computing and FPGA technology is considered an advantage, as are programming skills in Python, C/C++, and MATLAB.
• Basic knowledge of Radio Frequency (RF) techniques and electronics is also valuable for this role.
• Excellent command of both Dutch and English, spoken and written.

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 € 3.533 and € 8.072 (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.

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 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

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.