Scientist Electromagnetics & Military Operations

About this position

The security challenges of tomorrow cannot be solved with yesterday’s knowledge. Emerging threats, technological developments, and evolving military operations require fundamentally new insights. At TNO, our scientists work on the scientific and technological breakthroughs that help Defence prepare for the challenges of the future.

As a Scientist, you will investigate complex challenges at the intersection of technology, data, and operational application. You will develop new knowledge, explore innovative concepts, and translate scientific insights into solutions that contribute to the security of the Netherlands and its allies. From radar and electronic warfare to AI, modelling, and operational analysis, your research will help shape the technologies of tomorrow.

You will join TNO Defence, Safety & Security, within the Electromagnetics & Military Operations (E&MO) division. Here, researchers, software engineers, systems engineers, and analysts work every day on innovative technologies for defence and security.

Our expertise spans radar and sensor technology, electronic warfare, simulation, data analytics, and operational decision-making. We collaborate closely with the Ministry of Defence, research institutions, and international partners to develop solutions that contribute to a safer world.

Within E&MO, you will have the freedom to take initiative, develop new ideas, and continuously grow your expertise. You will work alongside colleagues who are equally passionate about turning technological innovation into practical solutions with real-world impact.

As a Scientist within the Electromagnetics & Military Operations (E&MO) division, you will tackle challenges for which no ready-made solutions exist. You will explore new concepts, develop innovative methods, and build the knowledge foundation for future technologies and defence applications.

Working alongside fellow scientists, engineers, systems engineers, project managers, and analysts, you will contribute to multidisciplinary research and innovation projects. Depending on your area of expertise, your responsibilities may include:

• Developing new models, algorithms, and analytical methods
• Conducting scientific and experimental research
• Designing, executing, and analysing experiments and demonstrations
• Investigating emerging technologies and assessing their applicability within Defence
• Developing innovative concepts in radar, sensor technologies, electronic warfare (EW), artificial intelligence, and the electromagnetic spectrum
• Publishing, presenting, and sharing research findings within TNO and with Defence partners
• Translating scientific insights into tangible innovations and future research directions

No research programme is the same. One day, you may be developing a new model to analyse complex operational scenarios; the next, you might be exploring the potential of an emerging technology or designing an experiment to generate entirely new insights. It is precisely this combination of fundamental research and practical application that makes working within E&MO unique.

You will start within UMBRA, an innovative environment where new colleagues come together to work on the technological challenges of tomorrow. You will be part of a multidisciplinary team of software engineers, systems engineers, project managers, researchers, and analysts, all contributing to a wide range of research and development projects.

From day one, you will be involved in current projects and have the opportunity to explore different technologies, research groups, and application domains within the E&MO division. This allows you to discover where your knowledge, experience, and ambitions can have the greatest impact. Depending on project requirements and your expertise, you will collaborate with various research teams and disciplines. This variety provides valuable experience across diverse technologies and application areas, while enabling you to make meaningful contributions to current Defence projects and build a broad professional network within the division.

The strength of UMBRA lies in its unique combination of societal impact, technical challenge, and personal development. You will contribute to innovative solutions for today’s Defence challenges while continuously expanding your expertise in new technologies and specialist domains.

Whether you are just starting your career or already bring extensive experience, UMBRA offers the level of responsibility and support that matches your background and ambitions. Junior colleagues are coached by experienced professionals, while mid-level and senior scientists are given the opportunity to shape technical directions, mentor colleagues, and play a key role in developing new areas of expertise.

You are naturally curious and energized by challenges that do not have a standard solution. You ask the right questions, think analytically, and are able to identify…