Process Engineer Energetic Systems

About this position

Contribute directly to Europe’s strategic autonomy in the production of energetic and explosive materials. In a world where security of supply, safety, and innovation must go hand in hand, you will play a key role in the development and availability of critical energetic systems that are essential for defence, security, and industry.

What will be your role?

In this role, you will work within the Energetic Systems (ES) expertise group. This team oversees the entire chain—from the source (synthesis, production, processing, storage, and transport) to end-of-life (environmental aspects and destruction). Our knowledge and capabilities are applied across various markets: from defence to space, from chemistry to national security. This is just a small glimpse of the work TNO carries out for the defence and security domain and for industry. At TNO, we work on future applications that make a real difference. You will be part of project teams with a shared goal: providing clients with new products or production technologies. The outcomes of these projects range from feasibility studies and analyses to the development of complete skids used to demonstrate new production technologies, and are mainly focused on the operating aspect of these projects.

You will often work on multiple projects/topics simultaneously and switch between subjects throughout your workweek. You translate research questions regarding new production methods into concrete project steps. Together with teams of varying composition, you work toward the final goal. Your focus lies on preparing lab-scale chemistry from literature research and then further translate this into setups that demonstrate how a synthesis step can be converted into a production process. Initially, these may concern individual components of the production process, but the end goal may also be the design, construction, and demonstration of a full skid. A key challenge is that we work with energetic materials, which means that safety must always be fully guaranteed. You enjoy taking the lead in projects of this nature.

More about the team:
The Energetic Systems (ES) expertise group is a global player in the field of energetic systems and has unique, modern facilities for handling and testing these materials. This diverse group consists of approximately 40 professionals with backgrounds in chemistry, aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, or physics. Together, they work on national and international projects for the Ministry of Defence and the civilian market, including the defence industry, chemical industry, space sector, and various Dutch governmental bodies.

What we expect from you

You bring sufficient knowledge and expertise to devise creative solutions for chemical reactions and processes, translate these into a skid design for those processes, and arrange for their construction. During and after construction, you take responsibility for testing and further optimizing these systems to ensure efficiency and reliability. The design of experiments and set-ups, execution of the testing plan and analysis of the results are part of your skill set. You use your strong analytical and problem solving skills and pay careful attention to documenting and reporting designs, processes, and test results.
You work proactively and independently, while also collaborating effectively with colleagues to set up and successfully complete complex projects in which you translate laboratory research into practical and scalable solutions. Throughout this work, you demonstrate entrepreneurship, flexibility, and strong communication skills, enabling you to switch smoothly between different tasks and stakeholders.

What you also bring:

• Specific process engineering competencies, demonstrated through:
• A completed MSc degree or PhD in Chemical Engineering, Process Technology, Organic Chemistry or a related field and in addition at least 5 years of experience in a comparable role. Candidates with a relevant bachelor's degree (HBO) are also encouraged to apply, provided they have at least 7 years of relevant work experience.
• Experience translating batch processes into continuous processes.
• Experience scaling up from lab scale to pilot/industrial scale.
• Experience in designing and constructing skids/process installations.

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 € 4,500 and € 6,100 (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.
• Extensive relocation package for international candidates.
• 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 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.

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.