Senior R&D Program Leader - Complex Tech Systems

Nearfield Instruments; Rotterdam; Hybrid; EUR 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Nearfield Instruments develops and builds revolutionary high-throughput Scanning Probe Microscopy systems, enabling chipmakers to push semiconductor performance. As Program Manager R&D, you will own a critical, multi-disciplinary R&D program—coordinating people, dependencies, and decisions to turn breakthrough tech into delivered systems.

You will lead the full lifecycle from concept to customer delivery, aligning with the R&D Manager and cross-functional teams to keep scope, timelines, budget,

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience as a Program Manager in high-tech system development.
• Strong leadership and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience delivering complex systems to customers.
• Track record of taking research projects through to end products.
• Technical affinity and ability to translate engineering challenges into plans.
• Excellent problem-solving and communication skills.
• Comfort working in a fast-paced, evolving environment.

Responsibilities

• Leading the end-to-end execution of a complex, multi-disciplinary R&D program central to Nearfield's technology and product roadmap.
• Aligning and guiding cross-functional teams of project managers and technical experts together with the R&D Manager.
• Owning program scope, timelines, budgets, risks, and escalations.
• Collaborating with supply chain and external partners to ensure program readiness.
• Reporting program status and progress clearly to leadership and stakeholders.
• Ensuring continuous alignment with Nearfield's technology roadmap and customer expectations.

Skills

Program management

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Systems delivery

Technical affinity

Communication skills

Problem-solving

Job description

Nearfield Instruments develops and builds revolutionary high-throughput Scanning Probe Microscopy systems, enabling chipmakers to push semiconductor performance. As Program Manager R&D, you will own a critical, multi-disciplinary R&D program—coordinating people, dependencies, and decisions to turn breakthrough tech into delivered systems.

You will lead the full lifecycle from concept to customer delivery, aligning with the R&D Manager and cross-functional teams to keep scope, timelines, budget,