Technical Operations Specialist

TNO; Rijswijk; On-site; EUR 39,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

TNO is seeking a Technical Operations Specialist to maintain and manage high‑tech research facilities across The Hague and Rijswijk. You will visit sites, assess malfunctions or user requests, translate them into actionable work, and coordinate with contractors to minimize impact on critical experiments.

You will grow into the Technical Coordinator role with guidance and training, ensuring safety and regulatory compliance, while communicating clearly with users to turn their needs into practical

Qualifications

• Experience in a similar role (client or contractor side).
• Knowledge of laboratory operations and systems (pressure control, climate control).
• Willingness to quickly gain knowledge of regulations related to technical management and maintenance of buildings, equipment and sites.
• A good command of Dutch; English skills are a plus for our international organization.

Responsibilities

• Visit different sites regularly to assess malfunctions or user requests and translate them into work to be carried out.
• Request quotations from contractors or maintenance partners and supervise the work.
• Coordinate with users to ensure critical experiments are not jeopardized by maintenance activities.
• Gradually take on more responsibilities and grow into the Technical Coordinator role with training.

Skills

Experience in a similar role (client/ 

Education

MBO/HBO degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering

Job description

About this position

At TNO, you work on the front line of research and innovation. Think of research in areas such as defence applications, the future of mobility, the energy transition, and healthcare. As a Technical Operations Specialist, you enable the work of hundreds of TNO colleagues. You do this by ensuring the highest standards of maintenance and management of our high-tech research facilities, such as crash and blast halls, laboratories, and cleanrooms. Important work. We are currently looking for Technical Operations Specialists for multiple locations, including The Hague and Rijswijk. Will you strengthen our friendly and fast-growing team of dedicated technical specialists?

What will be your role?

You support the Technical Coordinator for the locations in your region. This means you regularly visit different sites. In the event of malfunctions or user requests, you assess the issue and translate it into the work that needs to be carried out. To do so, you request quotations from contractors or our maintenance partner. You then engage the appropriate party and supervise the work. To ensure that critical experiments are not jeopardized by maintenance activities, you coordinate the work closely with the users. Depending on your experience, you will gradually take on more responsibilities. You will also have opportunities to grow into the role of Technical Coordinator, supported by the guidance and training you need.

What we expect from you

You enjoy switching between high-tech facilities that support a wide variety of research activities. In addition, you have a strong safety awareness and remain alert to potential risks. If contractors or subcontractors fail to comply with safety regulations or quality standards, you are confident enough to address them directly. You also communicate clearly with users of the research facilities, ensuring there are no surprises. Furthermore, you are able to translate their wishes or concerns into practical solutions, which you discuss with the Technical Coordinator.

What you also bring

• An mbo or hbo degree, preferably in Mechanical Engineering or Electrical Engineering.
• Experience in a similar role, either on the client side or contractor side.
• Knowledge of laboratory operations and systems, such as pressure control and climate control systems.
• Willingness to quickly gain knowledge of regulations related to the technical management and maintenance of buildings, equipment, and sites. If you already have this knowledge, that is definitely a plus.
• A good command of Dutch. If you also speak English, this will help you in our international organization.

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 between € 3,500 and € 4,900 (based on your knowledge and experience), 8% holiday pay, a 13th month bonus of 8.33% and a flex budget (5.58% + € 180). In addition, you will be given every opportunity to develop yourself.

TNO offers optional employee benefits, enabling you to tailor your benefits package to match your personal situation. You may also expect:

• 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.
• We offer 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's how you will get to know a lot of people really quickly.
• Flexible working hours, the possibility to work parttime (32 or 36 hours) and the possibility of working from home.
• A good pension scheme.

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 may include an online assessment and a reference check. A certificate of Conduct (VOG) is required before starting a new job at TNO. For this role a Certificate of No Objection issued by AIVD (the Dutch General Intelligence and Security Service) is mandatory. This means you will have to undergo a security screening.