Medior Scientist Unmanned Naval Systems

About this position

A liveable future for everyone: that is what we, as the Naval and Offshore Structures department, contribute to. We design, analyse, and test a wide range of mechanical structures for the maritime and offshore industry and for defence applications. The safety of these structures, under the most extreme conditions and throughout their entire service life, is central to our work.

We support the Ministry of Defence through research on current and future naval vessels, including crewed, minimally crewed, and unmanned ships. Our focus is on protecting the vessel, its systems, and its crew under all conditions. By combining advanced analyses, experiments, and model development, we work on innovative solutions in the fields of survivability, structural protection, and the operational effectiveness of maritime systems within both the current and future fleet.

Does this appeal to you, and would you like to contribute to the development of sustainable and safe ships for the future? If so, this position may be right for you.

What will be your role?

As Medior Scientist Unmanned Surface Vessels (USVs), you will analyse and model a wide range of maritime structures and systems for future lightly crewed and unmanned maritime platforms. Your work will focus on defence-related projects, where you will assess and model the effects of military loads on structures and develop innovative solutions that contribute to the survivability, safety, and operational effectiveness of lightly crewed and/or unmanned naval vessels.

More specifically, you will work on vulnerability-related topics such as structural protection against impact, blast, and fragments. Broader topics, including fire protection, structural integrity, and innovative structural concepts for unmanned systems, are also part of the projects. In addition, you will design and conduct experiments to test and validate protective structural solutions.

Within projects and larger programs, you will play an important role as a technical counterpart to the Project Manager in the field of structural engineering. You will contribute to defining and achieving project and program objectives and coordinate research activities and technical work related to structures. You will review analyses and research results, mentor junior colleagues, and contribute to the further development of knowledge within the team. You will also support the preparation of test plans, the design of test setups, and the preparation, execution, and evaluation of experiments used to validate structural solutions and protection concepts for lightly crewed and/or unmanned systems.

You will work within a multidisciplinary team of experts from various fields and collaborate closely with the Ministry of Defence, research organizations, and industrial partners. As a Medior Scientist, you will also actively contribute to the development of new research proposals. In addition, you will help strengthen TNO’s visibility and reputation, for example through publications and presentations.

You will join the Naval and Offshore Structures department, consisting of 60 motivated experts with backgrounds in maritime engineering, civil engineering, aerospace engineering, applied physics and mechanical engineering. Thanks to our well-equipped mechanical testing laboratories, practical and theoretical knowledge go hand in hand, enabling us to solve highly complex problems and validate innovative structural solutions.

Collaboration with other TNO laboratories and experts allows us to address additional challenges such as fluid dynamics and blast and shock resistance. Our research ranges from the safe use of alternative fuels on board ships and the structural safety of offshore wind turbines to shock- and explosion-resistant ship structures. We work on today’s key challenges: the energy transition and increasing safety at sea.

What we expect from you

You have completed a university degree in a technical discipline (for example, Naval Architecture, Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or Civil Engineering), with a specialization in structural mechanics. You have substantial relevant work experience (more than five years) and combine a strong theoretical foundation with practical insight into structural behaviour and dynamic response.

You possess knowledge of and experience with the application of numerical methods, preferably in the nonlinear domain, and have experience performing structural analyses of complex systems. A background as a Lead Engineer or experience developing structural engineering plans is considered an advantage. Affinity with, or knowledge of, unmanned maritime vessels is also a strong asset.

In addition to technical expertise, we place great value on communication skills and a customer- and results-oriented mindset, enabling effective teamwork towards delivering outcomes that are practical and applicable for our clients. You have a proven ability to translate customer needs into concrete research questions and actionable project plans. You have experience coordinating small teams from a technical perspective and successfully delivering complex projects and subprojects. You have an excellent understanding 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 € 4,621 and € 7,650 (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 9th of October, 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.
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.