Production Engineer - Module Owner

Nearfield Instruments; Rotterdam; Hybrid; EUR 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

30 holidays per calendar year

8% holiday allowance

Commuting allowance

Discount on health insurance

Team culture

Job summary

Nearfield Instruments seeks a hands-on Production Engineer to join the Production Engineering team in Rotterdam. You will act as a technical interface between Production, Design & Engineering, Quality and Service to ensure stable, scalable manufacturing.

The role covers production support, troubleshooting, process improvement and change management for a high-tech metrology module. Requires 2–4 years in a similar environment and a BSc/MSc in mechatronics; travel may be required.

Qualifications

• Solid technical background in mechatronic engineering (BSc/MSc).
• 2-4 years of experience in a high-tech production or engineering environment.
• Proven ability to take ownership of complex modules and drive improvements.

Responsibilities

• Act as a key technical interface between Production, Design & Engineering (D&E), Supply Chain, Quality, and Service.
• Provide engineering support to manufacturing operations, ensuring stable, efficient, and scalable production processes.
• Serve as a technical point of contact for production-related issues and facilitate effective collaboration across functions.
• Provide hands-on engineering support during assembly, testing, qualification, and ramp-up activities.
• Investigate and resolve production issues using structured problem-solving methodologies.

Skills

Mechatronic engineering

Python

Analytical skills

Troubleshooting

Cross-functional teamwork

Education

BSc/MSc in mechatronics

Tools

Python

Job description

About Nearfield Instruments

Nearfield Instruments (NFI) is a fast-growing scale-up high-tech company. We design, develop, integrate, market and service advanced metrology machines. Our machines enables our customers - the world’s leading chipmakers – to increase the production yields, and thus, functionality of their microchips, which in turn leads to smaller, more powerful consumer electronics.

Founded in 2016, we bring together the most creative minds (approx. 380 employees) in science and technology and develop a one-of-a-kind, revolutionary high throughput Scanning Probe Microscopy system.

Where will you be working?

You will be working within the Production Engineering team in close collaboration with D&E and System Engineering with the end goal to improve the production and CT.

What will you be doing?

Production Engineering

• Act as a key technical interface between Production, Design & Engineering (D&E), Supply Chain, Quality, and Service.
• Provide engineering support to manufacturing operations, ensuring stable, efficient, and scalable production processes.
• Serve as a technical point of contact for production-related issues and facilitate effective collaboration across functions.

Production Support & Troubleshooting

• Provide hands-on engineering support during assembly, testing, qualification, and ramp-up activities.
• Investigate and resolve production issues using structured problem-solving methodologies in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Perform root cause analyses and implement effective corrective and preventive actions to minimize disruptions and improve process robustness.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to address technical challenges and ensure timely issue resolution.
• Support the introduction of new products, manufacturing processes, and design changes into production.

Process Improvement & Optimization

• Monitor production performance and identify opportunities to improve safety, quality, delivery, and cost.
• Develop, maintain, and optimize manufacturing processes, work instructions, process flows, and control plans.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on efficiency, quality, yield, and cycle-time reduction.
• Promote standardization and the adoption of manufacturing best practices across production operations.

Change Management

Participate in Change Control Boards (CCBs) and support decision-making related to product and process changes.

Coordinate the industrialization and implementation of engineering changes within the manufacturing environment.

Assess the impact of design and process changes on manufacturing, quality, and supply chain performance, ensuring production readiness prior to release.

Support validation activities and ensure all changes are properly documented, controlled, and communicated to relevant stakeholders.

Training & Documentation

• Train operators, technicians, and other stakeholders on manufacturing processes, procedures, and best practices.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date manufacturing documentation, including work instructions, process specifications, troubleshooting guides, and training materials.
• Capture, document, and share lessons learned to support knowledge retention and continuous improvement across the organization.

Why is the position interesting for you?

• You will take full ownership of a high-tech module in a cutting-edge metrology system, giving you deep technical responsibility and visibility.
• You’ll work in a multidisciplinary environment where engineering meets innovation, contributing directly to the performance of machines used by the world’s leading chipmakers.
• You’ll have the opportunity to drive improvements, implement changes, and shape the future of production processes in a fast-growing scale-up.

What are we looking for?

Startups can provide phenomenal learning and development opportunities but can also be a hectic environment at times. You must fit in such a climate and don’t mind to constantly implement changes and process improvements, and to go the extra mile on a regular basis and feel comfortable with some uncertainty.

Furthermore, you need to recognize yourself in the profile as described below.

• Solid technical background in mechatronic engineering (BSc/MSc level).
• 2-4 years of experience in a high-tech production or engineering environment.
• Proven ability to take ownership of complex modules and drive improvements.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with hands-on troubleshooting experience.
• Python/SW knowledge
• Excellent communication skills and ability to work cross-functionally with D&E, Quality, and Operations.
• Strong understanding of mechatronic systems, including mechanics, electronics, sensors, and actuators.
• Hands-on troubleshooting skills with the ability to analyze issues at system, module, and component level.
• Ability to maintain an overall system overview while diving deep into technical details when required.
• Experience working with multidisciplinary teams and taking ownership of technical topics or modules.
• Structured way of working, able to prioritize and perform under pressure.
• Able to travel for supporting the field

What can you expect from us?

Getting on board now is a great opportunity to grow with the company from a technical, personal, and financial perspective. Nearfield's momentum is energetic and promising!

Our starting point is of course to pay someone a fair and competitive salary and besides this we offer you:

• Valuation of your work-life balance;
• Time for some relaxation: 30 holidays per calendar year (based on 40 hours);
• 8% holiday allowance;
• Commuting allowance;
• Discount on your health insurance;
• We are here to support one another, and colleagues are there to help you. TEAM is very important, Together Everyone Achieves More!
• Besides a challenging role where you can utilize the full extent of your professional knowledge.