Business Developer Defense, division Autonomous Systems & Decision Support

TNO; Soesterberg; Hybrid; EUR 54,000 - 76,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Professional, innovative environment

Training & conferences

33 days annual leave + flexible day

Mobility plan: transport allowance +Le

Team social events

Flexible hours & remote work

Good pension

Job summary

TNO Defence, Safety & Security seeks a Business Developer for Autonomous Systems & Decision Support in The Hague or Soesterberg. You will shape national and international defence projects, engaging with government, industry and research partners to translate opportunities into concrete programs.

You will connect Defence needs with innovative capabilities, build lasting relationships, and stay current with domain developments through events and literature. Flexible, hybrid work remains central.

Qualifications

• Master's degree required; experience in consultancy, business development and/or innovation.
• At least five years of relevant professional experience in consultancy, business development and/or innovation.
• Demonstrable experience in the public sector, preferably within or in collaboration with the defence and security domain or related industries.

Responsibilities

• Develop and shape national and international defence and security projects (NATO, EDF).
• Engage with clients and industry partners to explore challenges and ambitions.
• Identify opportunities, orchestrate ideas into concrete projects, and build long-term stakeholder relationships.
• Keep knowledge up-to-date by reading literature and attending conferences, fairs and symposia.

Skills

Communication skills

Dutch & English proficiency

Entrepreneurial mindset

Networking / stakeholder management

Analytical mindset

Education

Master's degree

Job description

Want to make a mark on our time? Become a Business Developer Defense, division Autonomous Systems & Decision Support in The Hague and/or Soesterberg.

• Work arrangement: Hybrid.
• Education level: Master.
• Working hours: 32-40 hours/week.

About this position

Since 24 February 2022, the world has been facing a new reality, one that has only become increasingly unpredictable. Our society, political institutions, government, armed forces, research organisations and other civilian partners need to respond and adapt faster than ever. As a research and technology organisation, TNO plays a crucial role within this ecosystem, bringing together highly qualified professionals working on innovations for Defence & Security. We actively contribute to accelerating and strengthening our capabilities for autonomy and sovereignty, both nationally and at European level.

As Business Developer Autonomous Systems & Decision Support (AS&DS) in The Hague or Soesterberg, you will contribute directly to this ambition. Autonomous military systems are becoming increasingly important, while the need for intelligent solutions to support military personnel continues to grow. This includes, for example, data-driven decision support. We are increasingly seeing capabilities such as collaborative combat and information-driven operations play a decisive role in today’s conflicts.

In this position, you maintain an overview of the broader landscape and are in continuous contact with the Ministry of Defence, industry partners, other research organisations and, of course, colleagues from a wide range of disciplines. By bringing these perspectives together, you help ensure that Defence has access to the best possible capabilities, tools and methods.

What will be your role?

Working both independently and together with your TNO colleagues, you contribute to the development of innovative research and the application of research findings to complex, multidisciplinary challenges within the defence domain. Your particular focus is on shaping national and international projects in the defence and security domain, including projects within frameworks such as NATO and the European Defence Fund (EDF).

You engage with clients across all areas of the national and international defence domain, as well as with industry partners, helping them explore their challenges and ambitions. You take the initiative as an orchestrator, identify opportunities and guide ideas towards concrete projects. In doing so, you build long‑term relationships with stakeholders. You connect the needs of Defence with the innovative capabilities of TNO and national and international industry, making an essential contribution to the future readiness and operational effectiveness of the armed forces and their partners.

You keep your professional knowledge up to date by, among other things, reading relevant literature and attending conferences, trade fairs and symposia. This enables you to work alongside your stakeholders as a valued and trusted advisor. You explore the market and initiate strategies that bring all parties involved together to achieve tangible results.

The team of Business Developers at TNO Defence, Safety & Security brings together people with diverse backgrounds and levels of experience, united by a strong passion for Defence & Security. Together, we support Defence in developing new concepts and technologies and help translate these innovations into the day‑to‑day operations of the armed forces. Our team is characterised by professionalism, enthusiasm for what we do and a healthy sense of humour.

With demand for innovative solutions to defence and security challenges growing rapidly, we are looking for several talented professionals to strengthen our market team.

What we expect from you

You combine your professional expertise with an entrepreneurial, sociable and enthusiastic attitude, and you are able to adapt quickly to changing circumstances. You enjoy connecting with people and do so with ease. You are a natural connector and thrive in a coordinating role at the heart of a network of stakeholders.

You can easily adapt your communication style to different audiences and navigate both national and international political contexts. You enjoy working across a variety of topics within this domain and appreciate the flexibility of contributing wherever your expertise is needed. You work methodically and bring structure to business development and acquisition processes. You have an analytical mindset, take responsibility, are naturally curious and enjoy getting to the heart of complex challenges.

What else do you bring?

• A university (WO) or university of applied sciences (HBO) level of working and thinking.
• At least five years of relevant professional experience in consultancy, business development and/or innovation.
• Demonstrable experience in the public sector, preferably within or in collaboration with the defence and security domain or related industries.
• An affinity with innovation and technology.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in both Dutch and English, at a minimum of C1 level.

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 € 4,800 and € 6,800 (based on your knowledge and experience), 8% holiday pay, a 13th 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).
• We offer a comprehensive and flexible mobility plan that also includes full compensation for public transportation for commuting and business travel or a lease car.
• 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.

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 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. 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.

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.

“I recruit talent for innovation and research in defense and security. I also coordinate the selection of trainees at TNO. I find motivation very important. What drives a candidate to work at TNO? I'm curious about that.”Serge Moesman, Recruiter