Starter Scientist Unmanned Surface Vessels (USV)

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?

Unmanned surface vessels (USVs) are playing an increasingly important role in today’s fleet and will become even more central to the future hybrid fleet. This new generation of maritime systems offers additional opportunities in terms of operational effectiveness, but it also introduces new requirements for safety, protection, and survivability. In this role, you will contribute to research and development projects focused on maritime systems for the future hybrid fleet and support the Ministry of Defence in making well-founded design decisions.

You will carry out vulnerability and survivability analyses to gain insight into the effects of various threats on lightly crewed and/or unmanned systems. In doing so, you will investigate and advise on how design choices can contribute to the protection of critical functions. You will identify the trade-offs between protection, performance, mission effectiveness, cost, and operational requirements, and determine how these can be optimized. In addition, you will support the preparation, execution, and evaluation of experiments and tests, and document the results in technical reports and presentations.

You work in a multidisciplinary team with experts from various fields and collaborate closely with clients and partners. In addition, you enhance TNO’s visibility 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 field (for example, Naval Architecture, Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Applied Physics, or Civil Engineering), with a specialization in numerical methods, structural mechanics, and/or structural dynamics. You have a strong theoretical foundation combined with practical insight into the behaviour of structures.

Furthermore, experience with 3D CAD software, preferably Rhino, as well as modelling and simulation tools, is a plus. You are a strong communicator, able to connect and engage with diverse stakeholders, and capable of presenting technical analyses and design trade-offs in a clear and compelling manner.

In addition to technical expertise, we place great importance on communication skills and a customer- and results-oriented mindset, enabling effective collaboration within multidisciplinary teams to deliver outcomes that are practical and applicable for our clients. You are proficient in both Dutch and English, spoken and written. Experience with or affinity for unmanned maritime systems is considered an advantage.

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 € 3,497 and € 6,617 (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 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.