Software Engineer Maritime Signature Systems

About this position

Help make our naval vessels invisible to the enemy with your software? Do you want to make a real impact by helping the Royal Netherlands Navy prepare for the future? Join TNO in The Hague as a Software Engineer!

Within the Autonomous Systems & Decision Support division, TNO develops technologies for autonomous systems, sensors, and decision support with direct relevance to Defence. The Integrated Mission Management department translates this expertise into practical software solutions for complex operational environments, including those on board naval vessels.

In this role, you will contribute to, among other things, maritime signature management systems: software that helps predict and influence the visibility and vulnerability of ships. By doing so, you support the Royal Netherlands Navy in remaining effective, safe, and deployable under future operational conditions.

What will be your role?

As a Software Engineer, you will work on one or more projects within the department. In any case, you will become part of the highly motivated development team focused on signature management. Within this team, you will collaborate with scientific staff on a maritime signature management system that helps predict and influence the visibility of ships and their vulnerability to threats.

While the scientific staff focuses on the models and their underlying scientific principles, you will ensure that this knowledge is translated into robust, maintainable, and testable software for operational use aboard current and future naval vessels. You will develop a solid understanding of the key concepts behind the models and be able to connect them to the operational needs of the customer.

The team follows a SAFe/Scrum-based way of working. Within this environment, you will make a tangible contribution to a shared mission: making signature management capabilities available to the Royal Netherlands Navy fleet.

What we expect from you

We are looking for a Software Engineer who is energized by building reliable software for complex, technically challenging applications. You enjoy collaborating with scientific staff and helping to transform their models and prototypes into robust, maintainable, and testable software suitable for operational use. Your strength lies in professionalizing software, safeguarding quality, and ensuring that research results can be applied reliably in practice.

We are looking for candidates with the following background and qualities:

• A degree or demonstrable background in Software Engineering.
• The ability to work independently, take ownership, and perform effectively as part of a team.
• A results-oriented and customer-focused mindset, with the ability to thrive in a multidisciplinary environment.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to explain technical decisions in a clear and understandable way.

We are looking for people with knowledge of:

• Python and/or C++; experience with Java is a plus.
• Software development for Linux-based systems, specifically Debian and Red Hat.
• Software quality, testability, maintainability, and software testing techniques.
• Software parallelization.

Experience with the following is considered a plus:

• GitLab CI/CD pipelines.
• Docker and Kubernetes.

Requirements:

• You are available for at least 32 hours per week.
• You are fluent in English; Dutch is a plus.
• You are willing to work on-site at TNO in The Hague at least three days per week.
• Your commandment of the English (and preferably also the Dutch) language both verbally and in writing is excellent (C1 Level).

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 € 3,500,- and € 5,000,- (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 2nd of September, 2026. The selection process comprises two interview rounds. The preliminary interview takes place on the 17th or 21st of September, 2026. 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.