Optical Engineer

TMC; Delft; On-site; EUR 95,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

TMC is an international high-tech consultancy seeking a Senior Optical Systems Engineer in the Netherlands to lead the full system development lifecycle and shape advanced optical solutions for photonics, space, medical, industrial sensing, and semiconductor applications.

The role requires a MSc/PhD in a relevant field, 10+ years in systems engineering, and strong skills in requirements and risk management, architecture, and project planning.

Qualifications

• MSc or PhD in Applied Physics, Optics, or a related Engineering field.
• 10+ years of experience in Systems Engineering within complex R&D or high- tech environments.
• Strong knowledge of requirements management, risk management, system architecture, and project planning.
• Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and deliver innovative technical solutions.
• Fluent in English and comfortable working in an international environment.
• Currently living in The Netherlands.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership throughout the complete system development lifecycle.
• Define and manage system architectures, requirements, interfaces, and performance budgets.
• Connect and align the various engineering disciplines required for successful project execution.
• Take ownership of the technical project outcome and system performance.
• Drive successful system realization, verification, and delivery.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate technical risks throughout development.
• Collaborate closely with customers, partners, and stakeholders to ensure project success.
• Contribute to long‑term technology roadmaps and innovation strategies.
• Support the identification and development of new business and project opportunities.
• Drive continuous improvement of systems engineering methodologies and best practices.
• Proactively identify emerging technologies and translate them into future applications and solutions.

Skills

Optics

Systems engineering

Requirements management

Risk management

Leadership

Architecture

Project planning

Cross-disciplinary coordination

Education

MSc or PhD in Applied Physics/Optics/Engineering

Job description

About This Vacancy

As a Senior Optical Systems Engineer, you'll play a pivotal role in the development of advanced optical solutions for applications ranging from integrated photonics and quantum technology to space systems, medical devices, industrial sensing, and next-generation semiconductor equipment.

About This Vacancy

As a Senior Optical Systems Engineer, you'll play a pivotal role in the development of advanced optical solutions for applications ranging from integrated photonics, quantum technology to space systems, medical devices, industrial sensing, and next-generation semiconductor equipment.

In This Role, You Will

• Provide technical leadership throughout the complete system development lifecycle;
• define and manage system architectures, requirements, interfaces, and performance budgets;
• connect and align the various engineering disciplines required for successful project execution;
• take ownership of the technical project outcome and system performance;
• drive successful system realization, verification, and delivery;
• identify, assess, and mitigate technical risks throughout development;
• collaborate closely with customers, partners, and stakeholders to ensure project success.
• contribute to long‑term technology roadmaps and innovation strategies;
• support the identification and development of new business and project opportunities;
• drive continuous improvement of systems engineering methodologies and best practices;
• proactively identify emerging technologies and translate them into future applications and solutions.

What We Expect From You

You're an experienced Systems Engineer who combines strong technical expertise in optics with a broad systems perspective. You know how to translate complex challenges into practical solutions, align multidisciplinary teams, and make sound technical decisions in dynamic high‑tech environments.

• MSc or PhD in Applied Physics, Optics, or a related Engineering field;
• 10+ years of experience in Systems Engineering within complex R&D or high‑tech environments;
• strong knowledge of requirements management, risk management, system architecture, and project planning;
• proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and deliver innovative technical solutions;
• skilled at balancing customer needs, technical challenges, and business objectives;
• experience with photonics, optical systems, satellite communications, or semiconductor technology is a plus;
• passionate about innovation, knowledge sharing, and continuous improvement;
• fluent in English and comfortable working in an international environment;
• currently living in The Netherlands.

What You Can Expect From Us

TMC is an international high-tech consultancy company that brings expertise to its clients in order to support them with the realization of their technological challenges. As such, TMC is operating as an expert center at the disposition of its clients and we help them to be more competitive in an ever more global and faster‑changing technological world. At TMC we believe that people are the driving force behind technological innovation. That is why we want to create the best possible conditions for tech talents to thrive in. We offer you a challenging and stimulating work environment in which you can be the director of your own career. As an Employeneur you are part of our TMC family. Next to our outstanding technical expertise, fun and engagement are meaningful parts of our culture.