Senior Operator - Semiconductor

TNO; Eindhoven; On-site; EUR 46,872 - 69,192; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Professional development

Training and coaching

Generous leave

Public transport support

Job summary

TNO in Eindhoven invites a Senior Operator to join our pilot line for InP photonic chips. You will operate, monitor and optimize complex production equipment in a cleanroom, working with engineers and fellow operators to ensure safe, high-quality wafer manufacturing.

During six months of training at SMART Photonics, you will learn processes, equipment and standards. After training, you join the High Tech Campus site, with potential 5-shift operation as production scales.

Qualifications

• Experience operating complex production equipment in high-tech manufacturing.
• Proven ability to troubleshoot equipment and processes independently.
• Experience coaching colleagues and supporting continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Operate advanced production equipment across lithography, etching, and metrology.
• Execute standard and complex process runs, including non-standard wafers.
• Monitor process performance, document data, and report deviations.
• Support process improvement initiatives such as SPC and FMEA.
• Coach junior operators and assist with onboarding.

Skills

Troubleshooting

Process optimization

Coaching

Quality mindset

Communication

Education

Technical degree or cert (MBO/VAPRO A/B/C or Bachelor's)

Job description

About this position

At the forefront of Europe's photonics innovation, TNO is building a state-of-the-art pilot line for Indium Phosphide (InP) photonic chips at the High Tech Campus in Eindhoven. As part of the EU-funded PIXEurope program, this pilot line will enable the transition from groundbreaking research to large-scale industrial manufacturing, making advanced photonic technologies faster, more reliable, and widely accessible.

Role Overview

As a Senior Operator, you are responsible for operating, monitoring, and optimizing complex manufacturing equipment within a high-tech cleanroom environment. You ensure that production processes run safely, efficiently, and according to the highest quality standards. Working closely with process engineers, equipment engineers, and fellow operators, you contribute to reliable wafer manufacturing while actively supporting continuous improvement initiatives. Beyond your operational responsibilities, you serve as a technical role model within the team, coach less experienced colleagues, help resolve complex production issues, and contribute to the successful implementation of new processes and equipment.

Key responsibilities

• Independently operating advanced production equipment across multiple process areas, including lithography, etching, metrology, and related manufacturing clusters.
• Executing both standard production runs and more complex process flows, including the handling of non-standard wafers.
• Performing visual inspections, identifying process deviations, and assessing rework possibilities where required.
• Monitoring process performance, accurately documenting production data, and reporting deviations.
• Working in accordance with cleanroom procedures, safety regulations, and quality standards.
• Supporting process improvement initiatives by contributing to activities such as SPC, FMEA, and root cause analyses.
• Troubleshooting first-line equipment and process issues while supporting engineers during more complex investigations.
• Performing basic preventive maintenance and assisting with equipment qualification activities.
• Executing test runs and experimental process assignments for process engineers.
• Evaluating and improving operational procedures to increase process stability, quality, and efficiency.
• Coaching and mentoring junior operators, supporting onboarding activities, and acting as a technical point of contact within the operations team.
• Collaborating closely with process engineers, equipment engineers, and shift leads to ensure smooth and reliable production.

Training and collaboration

As part of your onboarding, you will participate in a training program at SMART Photonics, where you will spend approximately six months becoming familiar with the manufacturing processes, equipment, and operational standards used. An interview with SMART Photonics will be part of the recruitment process. During your training period, you will work closely with both SMART Photonics and TNO colleagues. Although your day-to-day training will primarily take place at SMART Photonics in the beginning, you will regularly attend meetings, knowledge-sharing sessions, and team gatherings at TNO's location in Eindhoven. This ensures you become fully integrated into the TNO organization, build strong relationships with your TNO colleagues, and stay closely connected to the development of the pilot line throughout your training period. Following your training, you will join TNO's pilot line at the High Tech Campus in Eindhoven. While the pilot line does not yet operate in a 5-shift schedule from the start, it is expected to transition towards continuous operations as manufacturing activities scale up. We therefore ask candidates to be flexible and willing to work in a 5-shift schedule in the future.

What we expect from you

You are an experienced semiconductor or high-tech manufacturing professional who enjoys working in a precision-driven cleanroom environment. You combine technical expertise with a proactive mindset and take ownership of your work. You are comfortable handling complex production situations, enjoy solving problems, and naturally support colleagues by sharing your knowledge and experience.

Qualifications

• A technical vocational (MBO) degree, VAPRO A, B or C certification, or a Bachelor's degree in a relevant technical discipline.
• At least 7 years of experience operating complex production equipment in a semiconductor, photonics, or similarly advanced manufacturing environment.
• Experience working in cleanroom environments and following strict quality and safety procedures.
• Proven ability to troubleshoot equipment and process-related issues independently.
• Experience supporting process optimization and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Familiarity with quality improvement methodologies such as SPC, FMEA, 8D, or similar structured problem-solving techniques.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively with engineers, technicians, and production teams.
• Experience coaching or training colleagues and acting as an informal technical leader within an operations team.
• A proactive, quality-focused mindset with a strong sense of ownership and continuous improvement.

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 (based on your knowledge and experience), 8% holiday pay, a 13th month bonus of 8.33% and a flex budget (5.58% + EUR 180). In addition, you will be given every opportunity to develop yourself.

Benefits

• 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).
• An employer working towards a respectful, inclusive, and equitable work environment where every employee can flourish, with various initiatives such as Jong TNO, numerous expertise based guilds, Rainbow Community and Round Tables on diverse inclusion topics.
• A comprehensive and flexible mobility plan that also includes full compensation for public transportation for commuting and business travel.
• Great social events with your team and other TNO colleagues. That is how you will get to know a lot of people really quickly.
• A good pension scheme.

Read more about tailoring your benefits package.

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 and inclusive 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. We find each other in wonder and ingenuity. We are driven to push boundaries. 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.

The selection process

Please apply before the 2nd of August, 2026. The selection process comprises two interview rounds. In a final meeting we will discuss the terms of employment and your tailored benefits package. We aim to finalize the entire process within four weeks. The selection process may include an online assessment and a reference check. A certificate of Conduct (VOG) is required before starting a new job at TNO.