Director of Engineering

Rotterdam Innovation City; Delft; On-site; EUR 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Great Place to Work®

Pension plan

Commuting allowance

30 days paid holiday

Training and certifications

High-quality equipment

Job summary

Robin Radar is seeking a Director of Engineering to lead the operational transformation and scale-up of its largest division. You will co-own the engineering strategy with the CTO, manage annual plans, budgets, and governance, and empower heads across software, hardware, RF, system engineering, and SVVT to deliver world-class 3D radar systems.

You will drive delivery across hardware and embedded software, micro-Doppler AI, and signal processing, ensuring on-time, high-quality releases.

Qualifications

• 12+ years of progressive engineering leadership experience.
• 5+ years in a senior executive role.
• Experience scaling multi-disciplinary engineering divisions.
• Co-ownership of strategy and multi-million R&D budgets.
• Strong background in hardware and software, RF, radar, and AI.
• Deep Systems Engineering, V-model/Agile governance, KPI management.
• Proven recruitment, development, retention of technical talent.
• Excellent executive presence and ability to communicate to a board.
• Fluent in written and spoken English.
• HQ based in The Hague with willingness for travel

Responsibilities

• Annual plan execution and governance: lead the Engineering Business Plan and budgets.
• Strategic partnership and scaling: co-own the tech roadmap and expand to 200+ FTEs.
• Domain leadership and empowerment: direct heads of software, hardware, RF, and SVVT.
• Program delivery and integration: oversee multi-disciplinary hardware/software programs.
• Talent acquisition and development: build large-scale recruitment and learning.
• Executive alignment and academic ties: report to Board and partner with institutes

Skills

Executive leadership

Strategic planning

Budget management

Hardware & software

RF & radar systems

Systems Engineering

KPI management

Talent development

Executive communication

English proficiency

Job description

Scale our engineering power without losing our edge – shape the future of advanced radar technology.

As our Director of Engineering, you lead the operational transformation and rapid scale-up of our largest division. You co-own the engineering strategy with our CTO, taking full ownership of executing our annual plan, departmental budgets, and operational excellence. Working alongside our Management Team, you empower domain heads across software, hardware, RF, system engineering, and SVVT to deliver world-class 3D 360° radar systems. You turn strategic decisions into scalable processes while keeping our high-performance culture thriving.

What you'll do

• Annual plan execution and governance: Take full operational accountability for executing the annual Engineering Business Plan. Drive release targets, manage R&D OPEX and CAPEX budgets, and safeguard division health

• Strategic partnership and scaling: Co-own the technology roadmap with the CTO and translate it into operational goals. Lead the expansion of Engineering from 100 to 200+ FTEs, establishing robust systems engineering frameworks

• Domain leadership and empowerment: Direct and empower heads of Software, Hardware, RF, System Engineering, and SVVT. Guide teams on a rolling next-quarter operational horizon to maintain high velocity and quality

• Program delivery and integration: Oversee multi-disciplinary programs combining hardware, embedded software, micro-Doppler AI, and signal processing. Ensure seamless cross-functional synergy for on-time, high-quality product releases

• Technical talent acquisition and development: Partner with Talent Acquisition to build and execute large-scale recruitment strategies. Invest in continuous learning, career growth, and knowledge sharing across specialized radar domains

• Executive alignment and academic ties: Deliver transparent reporting on division health, program risks, and key milestones to the Board. Nurture long-term partnerships with leading knowledge institutes across Europe

What you bring

• 12+ years of progressive engineering leadership experience, with 5+ years in a senior executive role

• Proven track record scaling complex, multi-disciplinary engineering divisions from scale-up to mature organizations

• Demonstrated experience co-owning strategy and managing multi-million R&D budgets alongside C-level peers

• Strong background in combined hardware and software environments, including RF, radar systems, and AI

• Deep expertise in Systems Engineering principles, V-model/Agile hybrid governance, and KPI management

• Exceptional track record in recruiting, developing, and retaining high volumes of technical talent

• Outstanding executive presence and ability to communicate complex technical insights to C-level board members

• Fluent in written and spoken English

• HQ-based in The Hague with willingness for occasional travel to field sites and test facilities

A Certificate of Conduct (VOG) and a background check are part of our screening process. We appreciate your understanding.

What we offer

• Working for a Great Place to Work® certified company

• Comprehensive pension plan

• Commuting allowance

• 30 days of paid holiday leave (with the possibility to buy 3 additional days)

• Opportunities to develop your skills even further through training and certifications

• High quality laptop/desktop, monitor, headphones, and any other equipment necessary for your role

• An international team of 30+ nationalities, full of high performance colleagues you can exchange experiences with and learn from. As well as having a lot of fun in our social events and Friday drinks

Robin Radar is a technology leader in tracking and classifying small objects. Our radars and software help prevent bird strikes in aviation, reduce the impact of wind farms on wildlife, and protect critical infrastructure from drone threats. Our work shows up at airports, wind farms, military sites and nature reserves around the world.

We're one of the top 10 fastest-growing companies in the Netherlands, with a crew of bright minds across 30+ nationalities. Growth doesn't mean we lose the plot – eyes on the skies, feet on the ground. Our values keep us grounded: WE TRUST. WE OWN IT. WE AIM HIGH.

Want to work on next-level radar tech, solve real problems, and never have to pretend your job has meaning?

You'll fit right in – we're saving you a seat.