Wireless Communication Systems Expert

About this position

We have become increasingly accustomed to having information available anytime and anywhere. This applies not only to our personal lives, but also to businesses and government organisations. On the one hand, the widespread availability of information and communication technologies makes life easier; on the other, it creates a significant dependency on the underlying systems. Without reliable communication capabilities, processes are disrupted, and there is a risk that critical parts of society may come to a standstill.

Recent conflicts have demonstrated how these vulnerabilities can be exploited to create chaos or gain operational advantage. Within military operations, information superiority is critical to mission success. As a result, there is a strong dependence on C2ISR (Command and Control, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance) capabilities and the systems that support them. Because these capabilities rely heavily on wireless communication and radio systems, the importance of Electronic Warfare (EW) continues to grow. In this domain, achieving and maintaining dominance in the electromagnetic spectrum is a key objective.

Within a team of electrical engineers, physicists, and mathematicians, you will work on innovations aimed at building Situational Awareness by observing activity in the electromagnetic (EM) spectrum, identifying and mitigating vulnerabilities in friendly systems, and developing measures to influence adversary systems through the EM spectrum. Our primary customers are organisations within the defence, law enforcement, and security domains. We collaborate closely 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 every day on innovative technologies for defence and security. Our expertise ranges from radar and sensor technologies to electronic warfare, simulation, data analytics, and operational decision-making. We work closely with the Ministry of Defence, research institutions, and international partners to develop solutions that contribute to a safer world.

Within E&MO, you will have considerable freedom to take initiative, develop new ideas, and grow professionally. You will work alongside colleagues who share a passion for translating technological innovation into practical solutions with real-world impact.

What will be your role?

As a Wireless Communications Expert, you will work on innovative and challenging projects, primarily for the Ministry of Defence and the public safety and security domain. Your role will be to apply research and innovation, together with a multidisciplinary project team, to help customers address complex operational challenges.

These challenges relate to the electromagnetic spectrum and the signals present within it, particularly those associated with communication systems and wireless networks. For example, you may work on intercepting and analysing signals from the electromagnetic spectrum to map adversary communication networks and derive intelligence regarding an opponent’s activities and intentions.

In addition to these electronic surveillance capabilities, active electromagnetic capabilities also play a critical role. This includes researching and developing techniques to disrupt, manipulate, or spoof signals within the spectrum. Such capabilities are used to counter threats and enhance protection, for instance against remotely triggered improvised explosive devices (IEDs) or drones that pose security risks.

Building on knowledge of electromagnetic signals and signal manipulation techniques, cyber operations conducted through wireless communication channels are also developed. You will contribute your expertise to this rapidly evolving field of Cyber Electromagnetic Activities (CEMA).

You will also conduct research into analytical methods for understanding wireless communication protocols, both civilian and military. This includes activities such as intercepting information, manipulating signals, exploiting vulnerabilities, and locating transmitters. To achieve this, you will make use of advanced methods and technologies in areas such as:

• Signal and protocol analysis;
• Machine Learning;
• Digital Signal Processing (DSP);
• Simulation and modelling;
• Software Defined Radio (SDR);
• Software tooling and prototyping.

Working through UMBRA

You will start within UMBRA, an innovative environment where new colleagues come together to tackle the technological challenges of tomorrow. You will be part of a multidisciplinary team of software engineers, systems engineers, project managers, researchers, and analysts working on a diverse range of research and development projects.

From your first day, you will contribute to active projects while gaining exposure to different technologies, research groups, and application areas across the Electromagnetics & Military Operations (E&MO) division. This enables you to discover where your expertise, experience, and ambitions can have the greatest impact.

Depending on the challenges involved and your areas of expertise, you will collaborate with various research groups and disciplines. This diversity provides opportunities to gain experience across a broad range of technologies and application domains, while making a valuable contribution to current Defence projects and building an extensive network within the division.

The strength of UMBRA lies in its combination of societal impact, technical challenge, and personal development. You will contribute to innovative solutions for today's Defence challenges while continuing to expand your expertise in emerging technologies and specialist domains.

Whether you are at the start of your career or already bring significant experience, UMBRA offers responsibilities and support tailored to your background and ambitions. Junior colleagues are mentored by experienced professionals, while mid-level and senior engineers are given the opportunity to shape technical solutions, coach colleagues, and play a leading role in developing new areas of expertise.

What we expect from you

You are able to apply your expertise within multidisciplinary teams to develop innovative solutions and translate them into tangible prototypes. You combine strong analytical skills with excellent communication abilities, enabling you to collaborate effectively with fellow experts and clearly present results to clients and stakeholders. You are flexible, curious, and pragmatic when needed, with a talent for prioritising and switching between multiple projects and topics while always keeping the operational application in mind.

What you bring

• An MSc degree in Electrical Engineering or Information and Communication Technology, for example in Telecommunications & Sensing Systems, Wireless Communication & Sensing, Signals & Systems, or Connected World Technologies.
• Demonstrable knowledge of and experience with wireless communication systems, telecommunications protocols, and the associated digital signal processing techniques.
• A solid understanding of the functional elements within the transmit and receive 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 technologies 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, written and spoken.

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 € 3.530 and € 7.700 (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

Applications can be submitted until the 24th of August, 2026 and can only be submitted via the application button on this page. The selection process comprises two interview rounds. In a final meeting, we will discuss the employment terms, which you can tailor to your own preferences. We aim to complete 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.