Systems Engineer

Darwin Recruitment; Amsterdam; On-site; EUR 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Darwin Recruitment is seeking a Systems Engineer in Amsterdam to take full technical ownership of photonics sensing projects from concept to deployment.

You will lead across optics, mechanics, electronics, and software, ensuring production readiness and adherence to QMS requirements. The role requires EU citizenship and the candidate to be based in the Netherlands, able to work from Alkmaar.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of experience as a Systems Engineer, Architect, or Lead Development Engineer.
• Lead system definition, requirements traceability, and technical risk management across the full development lifecycle.
• Multidisciplinary engineering leadership across optics, mechanics, electronics, and software.
• Experience taking products through to production in a high-tech or precision engineering environment.
• Experience with a professional quality management system.
• Must be based in the Netherlands and able to work from the office in Alkmaar.
• EU citizenship required.

Responsibilities

• Take full technical ownership from concept through deployment.
• Contribute to the Technology Roadmap and high-impact engineering initiatives.

Skills

System architecture

Requirements traceability

Technical risk management

Cross-disciplinary leadership

Production experience

Education

Engineering degree

Tools

PCBAs development

Job description

Job Title: Systems Engineer

Location: Amsterdam

Industry: High-Tech Precision Engineering

Overview of the Role:
We are working with a front-runner in the Photonics industry based in the Netherlands. They are looking to hire a Systems Engineer to take full technical ownership of their complex photonic sensing engineering projects, from concept through to customer deployment. Their technology spans sectors including industrial measurement, semiconductor, and defence, and they co-develop cutting-edge solutions with some of the most advanced customers in the market. This is a senior, high-impact role sitting at the heart of the business, directly contributing to the company’s Technology Roadmap and offering significant responsibility from day one.

Candidate Profile

Essential:

• Minimum 5 years of experience as a Systems Engineer, Architect, or Lead Development Engineer.
• Proven ability to lead system definition, requirements traceability, and technical risk management across the full development lifecycle.
• Multi-disciplinary engineering leadership experience spanning two or more of: optics, mechanics, electronics, and software.
• Track record of taking products through to production (not just low-level development) in a high-tech or precision engineering environment.
• Experience working with a professional quality management system.
• Must be based in the Netherlands and able to work from the office in Alkmaar.
• EU citizenship required.

Required / Highly Preferred:

• University degree in Physics, Systems Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or Informatics
• Background in photonics, sensing, optics, or industrial measurement
• Experience with development and outsourcing of make-parts including dedicated electronics (PCBAs)
• Experience co-developing solutions with customers or external partners

Beneficial:

• Familiarity with photonic sensing applications
• Knowledge of customer verticals such as semiconductor or defence
• Experience working in a small, fast-moving, entrepreneurial engineering environment