Systems Engineer

Darwin Recruitment; Amsterdam; On-site; EUR 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

Darwin Recruitment is seeking a Systems Engineer for a senior, high-impact role in the Netherlands. You will take full technical ownership of photonic sensing projects from concept through to deployment, leading cross-functional teams across optics, mechanics, electronics, and software.

The position requires hands-on leadership, production experience, and QMS familiarity. The role is based in Alkmaar with office work expected in a fast-moving, entrepreneurial environment.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of experience as 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 spanning optics, mechanics, electronics, and software.
• Track record of taking products through to production in a high-tech/precision engineering environment.
• Experience working with a professional quality management system.
• Based in the Netherlands and able to work from the Alkmaar office.

Responsibilities

• Take full technical ownership of complex photonic sensing projects from concept to customer deployment.
• Lead system definition, architecture decisions, and lifecycle management across multidisciplinary teams.
• Collaborate with customers and external partners to co-develop solutions and ensure production readiness.

Skills

Systems engineering

Technical leadership

Requirements traceability

Technical risk management

Cross-disciplinary leadership

Education

Physics

Systems Engineering

Mechanical Engineering

Electrical Engineering

Aerospace Engineering

Informatics

Job description

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

• 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.

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