Business Developer Autonomous Systems & Decision Support, Defensie

Location: The Hague

About this position  Since the 24th of February 2022, the world has been living in a new reality, one that has only become increasingly unpredictable. Our society, politicians, government, armed forces, knowledge institutions, and other civilian partners must adapt and respond faster than ever before. As a leading research and technology organization within this ecosystem, TNO plays a crucial role through its highly educated professionals working on innovations for Defence & Security.

We actively contribute to strengthening autonomy and sovereignty at both the national and European levels at an accelerated pace. As a Business Developer Autonomous Systems & Decision Support (ASDS) based in The Hague or Soesterberg, you will contribute directly to this ambition. Autonomous (military) systems are becoming increasingly important, while the demand for smart support solutions for military personnel continues to grow.

This includes decision-support capabilities driven by data and advanced analytics. We are seeing that capabilities such as collaborative combat and information-driven operations are becoming decisive factors in modern conflicts. In this role, you maintain a broad overview of this rapidly evolving landscape and are in continuous contact with the Ministry of Defence, industrial partners, other research organizations, and, of course, colleagues from a wide range of disciplines.

By building and managing these connections, you help ensure that Defence has access to the best technologies, capabilities, and methodologies available.
What will be your role?  Working independently and together with your TNO colleagues, you contribute to the development of innovative research and the application of research outcomes to complex, multidisciplinary challenges within the defence domain. Your primary focus is on shaping national and international projects, including initiatives within frameworks such as NATO and the European Defence Fund (EDF), in the defence and security sector.

You collaborate closely with clients across all parts of the national and international defence and security landscape, as well as with industry partners. Acting as an orchestrator, you take the initiative, identify opportunities, and guide ideas through to the realization of concrete projects. In doing so, you build and maintain long-term relationships with stakeholders. You connect Defence needs with TNO’s innovation capabilities and the strengths of the national and international industrial base, making an essential contribution to the future readiness and operational effectiveness of the armed forces and their strategic partners.

You stay up to date with the latest developments in your field by reading professional literature and participating in conferences, trade fairs, and symposia. This enables you to act as a trusted and valuable advisor to your stakeholders. You continuously explore the market and initiate strategies that bring all relevant parties together to achieve tangible results. The team of Business Developers within TNO Defence, Safety & Security is diverse in terms of background and experience, but united by a strong passion for Defence & Security.

Together, we support Defence in developing new concepts and technologies and help ensure their successful adoption within the day-to-day operations of the armed forces. Professionalism, enthusiasm for our work, and a good sense of humour are key characteristics of our team. Due to the rapidly growing demand for innovative solutions to defence and security challenges, we are looking for several talented professionals to strengthen this market team.
What we expect from you  You combine a strong substantive background with an entrepreneurial, sociable, and enthusiastic mindset, and you are able to adapt quickly to changing circumstances. Building relationships comes naturally to you, and you enjoy connecting people and ideas. You thrive in a central coordinating role and gain energy from being the hub that brings everything together. In addition, you can effortlessly switch between different communication styles and navigate both national and international…