Software Engineer Mission, Simulation & Training Systems

About this position

As a Software Engineer within Mission Simulation & Training, you will work alongside your colleagues to turn innovative solutions into reality for the Ministry of Defence and other clients in the security domain. Together with a multidisciplinary project team, you will identify and develop solutions for a wide range of customer challenges.

Examples include developing a cloud-based simulation environment, extracting 3D models from geographic big data, and building post-exercise analysis tools. Interested in learning more? Read on!

We are looking for several new colleagues to strengthen our team.

What will be your role?

The innovative nature of the work at TNO means that there is a great deal of variety in both the topics and the software you work on. This diversity challenges you and your colleagues to continuously seek out the best solution for each specific problem.

In practice, you and one or two colleagues within the project team are responsible for translating innovative ideas and solutions into working software. You do this by making use of the latest technologies and frameworks, applying them at your own discretion and professional judgment. Depending on the project, you may one day develop a prototype to demonstrate the potential of a new technology, and the next find yourself on board a naval frigate or in a flight simulator, integrating your software into a test environment.

As a research institute, we generally do not develop end products intended for operational production systems. Instead, we seek to validate and create value from promising projects and ideas, transferring them to the client or an industry partner for further development and commercialization. The experimental nature of our work also means that not all software reaches this final stage. In some cases, it is developed solely to answer research questions or to contribute to knowledge development and innovation.

What we expect from you

You want your work to make a meaningful contribution to innovation in the military domain, and you handle sensitive information responsibly. You enjoy collaborating on multiple projects simultaneously, working with different teams.

This also means that you must be comfortable dealing with uncertainty and ambiguity. Gathering requirements and participating in brainstorming sessions with stakeholders are part of your shared responsibilities, as work in a research environment is not always clearly defined in advance. Clarifying the problem statement and understanding the project context are therefore also part of your role. This gives you a great deal of freedom as a developer, but it also requires a high level of personal responsibility and strong communication skills. As a result, you are flexible in your approach and able to take on different roles throughout the software engineering process. At one moment, you may be focused on architecture and design, while at another, you may be more involved in stakeholder management or in testing and validating the system. Thanks to your proactive attitude and strong communication skills in both Dutch and English, you are well equipped for this. You are eager to further develop yourself as a software developer and architect, while also enjoying supporting and mentoring new colleagues in their professional growth.

What else do you bring?

• Preferably, you hold a completed university Master's degree in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Information Science, or a related technical discipline, although we welcome applicants from a variety of backgrounds.
• Preferably, you are a recent graduate or have several years of relevant experience in software development, ideally in multiple programming languages. You have high standards for the quality and security of the code you develop and follow a structured and methodical approach. You are able to explain complex systems by sketching them on a whiteboard.
• Knowledge of and experience with multiple modern programming languages (for example Java, Python, C++, C#, TypeScript, Rust, Go) and modern software tools (for example Docker, Kubernetes, GitLab).
• You are able to read and understand technical documentation related to network protocols, APIs, and (IEEE/IETF) interoperability standards.
• You are capable of developing and deploying both backend and frontend applications end-to-end, using modern tools and techniques. Git, CI/CD, unit testing, and issue tracking are all familiar to you.
• Experience in, or affinity with, the defence and security domain is an advantage.
• You have an excellent commandment of the Dutch language, both verbally and in writing (C1 level).

In your motivation letter, we would like to read about:

• Your knowledge and experience in software design or architecture.
• Your personal contribution to software quality in a recent project.
• A recent challenging problem that you solved through teamwork.
• How you approached requirements analysis and stakeholder management in a recent project.

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 € 4,500,- (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

Please apply before the 29th of August, 2026. The selection process comprises two interview rounds. The preliminary interview takes place on the 9th 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 a programming/coding assigment, 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.