Market Manager, division Electromagnetics & Military Operations

About this position

From electronic warfare and radar technology to integrated air and missile defence, military space technology, and the analysis and support of military operations: TNO develops the technologies and knowledge that enable the Netherlands Armed Forces to strengthen their information position, identify threats at an earlier stage, and respond effectively. In a world where warfare is evolving at an unprecedented pace, technological developments are accelerating, and Europe is making substantial investments in its defence capabilities, the urgency has never been greater.

TNO’s Defence, Safety & Security (DSS) unit consists of approximately 1,200 dedicated experts and has experienced significant growth over the past several years. The unit is organised into five divisions, of which the Electromagnetics & Military Operations (E&MO) division is the largest, comprising around 300 FTEs. The division consists of six research groups and a market team, bringing together expertise across the domains mentioned above.

For this division, you are the strategic market lead responsible for ensuring that the technological innovations TNO develops align with the needs of Defence, both today and in the future. To achieve this, you connect Defence, industry, international partners from the research and knowledge community, and our own experts. You help build ecosystems in which new technologies can successfully evolve into operational capabilities, ensuring that the people who defend our country maintain a lasting technological advantage.

Your opportunity to make a difference? The time is now.

What will be your role?

How do you ensure that military forces can continue to operate when the electromagnetic spectrum is disrupted? How do you detect and counter drones, aircraft, and missiles before they reach their target? How can satellites and sensor networks be leveraged to create a faster and more reliable picture of the battlefield? And how do you translate lessons learned from current conflicts into technologies that are operationally relevant in both the short and long term?

As you can see, the Electromagnetics & Military Operations (E&MO) division focuses on research and technological developments that are both urgent and highly impactful. From radar, electronic warfare, communications, and sensing to integrated air and missile defence, military space, and the analysis and support of military operations, we work closely with the Netherlands Armed Forces, international defence partners, research institutions, and a rapidly growing industrial ecosystem. And you? You ensure that our knowledge and technologies find their way into real-world applications.

As Market Manager, you drive both collaboration and acceleration. You maintain close relationships with Defence, giving you a deep understanding of the operational challenges and future capability requirements that shape our market. At the same time, you build strong relationships with industrial partners to enable the scaling, integration, and eventual production of technological innovations. You develop the market strategy and market plans for the E&MO division and, together with the leadership team, consisting of the Division Director, the Science & Technology Manager, and yourself as Market Manager, as well as with subject-matter experts, determine where we focus our attention and resources. In doing so, you look beyond individual assignments. You identify where technological developments, defence needs, and industrial opportunities converge, and help build strategic propositions and partnerships around these opportunities. In addition, you provide direction to a team of approximately twenty business developers who support the various portfolios within our market. You enable their success, foster their professional development, and ensure that the team continues to grow, both literally and figuratively. Together, you build strong relationships with customers and partners and strengthen the division’s positioning within the Dutch defence and security domain.

Our market does not stop at national borders. Defence innovation is increasingly driven through international partnerships and European programmes. For this reason, you assess which countries, defence organisations, companies, and ecosystems are strategically relevant for E&MO, and work with colleagues to develop appropriate partner, country, and market strategies.

The technology is there. The urgency is there. Now it is up to you to bring the right parties together and make a lasting impact.

What we expect from you

You have a strategic and results-oriented mindset, combined with the communication and commercial skills needed to operate effectively at the intersection of Defence, research and innovation, and industry.

You understand that the defence market is a unique environment where operational urgency, technological innovation, public interests, industrial policy, and international cooperation converge. Within this complex landscape, you navigate confidently, with a strong awareness of stakeholder interests and organisational dynamics. You are able to translate developments within Defence and the broader market into strategic choices for the organisation and know how to bring different parties together around shared ambitions.

At the same time, you recognise the importance of people. You know how to motivate, support, and develop a team, creating an environment in which individuals and the organisation can thrive.

What you bring:

• Master's degree level (completed university degree).
• At least 13 years of relevant professional experience, including a minimum of 8 years in a commercial or strategic leadership role such as market development, business development, or strategic account management within a domain relevant to the division. Developing strategic customer relationships, partnerships, and ecosystems around complex technological challenges in a technology-driven industrial environment has been a core part of your career.
• A strong understanding of the technological domains relevant to E&MO, such as radar, electronic warfare, communications, sensing, integrated air and missile defence, military space, or military operations.
• Proven experience working with, within, or for Defence and the wider security domain, supported by a relevant professional network.
  Ideally, you combine both technological domain knowledge and an in-depth understanding of the Defence environment.
• A strong network within the public sector and, preferably, within Defence and the security domain.
• Experience successfully leading a team, preferably in a market-oriented role, within an innovative and intellectually complex environment.
• The ability to translate developments among customers, industry partners, and international stakeholders into a clear market strategy and concrete priorities.
• Excellent command of both Dutch and English, spoken and written.

Do you recognize yourself in our leadership profile?

At TNO, we welcome people who want to help shape the world of tomorrow. In a leadership role, you too leave your mark on the future. You do so by inspiring others with a clear vision of what lies ahead, while also creating an environment where diverse generations and perspectives feel at home. Embracing differences comes naturally to you, and you actively encourage your colleagues to do the same. You are energized by guiding, motivating, and enabling professionals in a way that suits their individual needs. You help them discover their strengths, build confidence in their abilities, and challenge them to push boundaries.

You have an outward-looking perspective and stay attuned to developments in the world around us. With an entrepreneurial mindset, you build meaningful networks, keep track of market trends, and explore commercial opportunities. In doing so, you empower your team to develop solutions to questions and challenges that truly matter. You understand that these challenges are constantly evolving and that technology is advancing faster than ever before. You also recognize that this requires you to adapt continuously and tailor your leadership style to new situations. Which is great, because it means your leadership evolves and innovates right along with it.

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 yearly salary of Euro 108.000,- up to Euro 147.500,- (based on your knowledge and experience and thus including 8% holiday pay, a 13^th month bonus of 8.33% and a flex budget (5.58% + € 180)) and 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 or a leasecar.
• 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 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 14th of October, 2026. The selection process comprises two interview rounds. The preliminary interview takes place on the 29th of October 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 will include a HEXACO 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.