About This Position
At TNO, we work on projects with societal impact through technological innovation. From securely encrypting financial transactions using quantum mechanics, to groundbreaking radar technology for Defence, to testing innovative energy concepts. Our impact reaches far and wide.
For the TNO Traineeship, we are looking for starters who, in addition to having a strong affinity with technology, have a broad, generalist mindset. You are people-oriented, entrepreneurial and adaptable, able to see the bigger picture, and know what you want. You are not afraid to take the lead and see challenges as opportunities to grow.
If you are looking to specialise in a specific field, we encourage you to explore our other vacancies!
What will be your role?
As a TNO trainee, you get a unique opportunity to accelerate your personal and professional growth. The TNO Traineeship helps you understand and develop your talents, drivers, and values. Over the course of two years, you will gain experience in three different roles and departments. It is up to you to find, choose, and shape these roles. This also brings challenges, and we expect you to take them on. We support you through training sessions, workshops, peer coaching, and a personal coach. This enables you to develop your leadership skills. Along the way, you will be part of an enthusiastic group of nearly 30 trainees.
This traineeship is your opportunity to reach the destination on your horizon, following a path of your own making. Are you ready to take on the challenge?
During the TNO Traineeship, your 5-day workweek looks as follows
Setting your own course within a large and complex organization like TNO is a fantastic opportunity. We provide the tools and you bring the perseverance, determination and result orientation to get the most out of the TNO Traineeship. You thrive in change working across three different departments over two years suits your entrepreneurial and adaptive character. When challenges arise, you reflect, learn, and grow. You connect various disciplines, value diverse perspectives, and communicate effectively. Moreover, you are driven to contribute to innovations that support the sustainable well-being, safety, and prosperity of society.
What you bring
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 monthly salary of €3,530, taking one or two years of work experience into account, 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
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
Applications can be submitted until the 4th of October, 2026 at 11 59 p.m. Please apply via the application form.
This means that you will need to upload the following documents as PDF files, with a maximum file size of 5 MB
Prepare a PDF document (maximum 5 MB) answering the following two central questions of the TNO Traineeship Programme
For your written answer, please use a maximum of 200 words. Would you like to share a video? Please limit it to a maximum of 30 seconds and add a secure, directly accessible link (without a password) to the page.
The process from there
As you may also work for clients in the defence and security domain, it may be necessary for the Dutch General Intelligence and Security Service (AIVD) to issue a Certificate of No Objection (VGB). In that case, you will undergo a security screening beforehand. You can find more information about this here.
At TNO, we work on projects with societal impact through technological innovation. From securely encrypting financial transactions using quantum mechanics, to groundbreaking radar technology for Defence, to testing innovative energy concepts. Our impact reaches far and wide.
For the TNO Traineeship, we are looking for starters who, in addition to having a strong affinity with technology, have a broad, generalist mindset. You are people-oriented, entrepreneurial and adaptable, able to see the bigger picture, and know what you want. You are not afraid to take the lead and see challenges as opportunities to grow.
If you are looking to specialise in a specific field, we encourage you to explore our other vacancies!
What will be your role?
As a TNO trainee, you get a unique opportunity to accelerate your personal and professional growth. The TNO Traineeship helps you understand and develop your talents, drivers, and values. Over the course of two years, you will gain experience in three different roles and departments. It is up to you to find, choose, and shape these roles. This also brings challenges, and we expect you to take them on. We support you through training sessions, workshops, peer coaching, and a personal coach. This enables you to develop your leadership skills. Along the way, you will be part of an enthusiastic group of nearly 30 trainees.
This traineeship is your opportunity to reach the destination on your horizon, following a path of your own making. Are you ready to take on the challenge?
During the TNO Traineeship, your 5-day workweek looks as follows
- Working within departments Three and a half days per week you will work in one of the TNO units in a role as a project leader, business developer or consultant. You will collaborate with a team of experts who share an unbounded ambition and drive to make an impact on society. Together, you translate knowledge into practice.
- Personal development On average, one day per week is dedicated to your personal development. With the support of a personal coach, through training sessions and workshops, you gain deeper insight into your talents, drivers, and values. You will also broaden your knowledge of leadership styles and soft skills. Through peer coaching, you will learn from, and with your fellow trainees. In addition, you will be supported and challenged by the management of the TNO Traineeship throughout the two-year program.
Setting your own course within a large and complex organization like TNO is a fantastic opportunity. We provide the tools and you bring the perseverance, determination and result orientation to get the most out of the TNO Traineeship. You thrive in change working across three different departments over two years suits your entrepreneurial and adaptive character. When challenges arise, you reflect, learn, and grow. You connect various disciplines, value diverse perspectives, and communicate effectively. Moreover, you are driven to contribute to innovations that support the sustainable well-being, safety, and prosperity of society.
What you bring
- You obtained your Master’s degree no more than two years before 1st of February, 2027.
- You currently live in Europe and are willing to relocate to the Netherlands before the start of the traineeship.
- You have a technical Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in physics, electrical engineering, econometrics, mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, mathematics, industrial engineering and management, computer science, data science or AI, and you have broadening extracurricular activities, outside the scope of your study background, on your CV.
- You have a technical Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in physics, electrical engineering, econometrics, mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, mathematics, industrial engineering and management, computer science, data science or AI, and a broadening Bachelor’s or Master’s degree, combined with extracurricular activities.
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 monthly salary of €3,530, taking one or two years of work experience into account, 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 and the option to work from home. During the traineeship, you will work 40 hours per week.
- Extensive relocation package for international candidates.
- 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
Applications can be submitted until the 4th of October, 2026 at 11 59 p.m. Please apply via the application form.
This means that you will need to upload the following documents as PDF files, with a maximum file size of 5 MB
- Your CV;
- Your cover letter;
- Your answer to the assignment below.
Prepare a PDF document (maximum 5 MB) answering the following two central questions of the TNO Traineeship Programme
- Which talents would you like to develop during the Traineeship?
- How does this contribute to your development and your long-term ambition?
For your written answer, please use a maximum of 200 words. Would you like to share a video? Please limit it to a maximum of 30 seconds and add a secure, directly accessible link (without a password) to the page.
The process from there
- Invitation to complete the personality questionnaire the 5th of October, 2026 (late afternoon).
- Deadline for completing the personality questionnaire the 7th of October, 2026 at 11 59 p.m.
- Rejection or invitation between the 14th and 19th of October, 2026.
- Trainee Selection Day the 30th of October, 2026.
- Final interviews the 5th, 10th and 11th of November, 2026.
- Employment conditions meeting the 16th of November, 2026.
- Start of the Traineeship the 1st of February, 2027.
As you may also work for clients in the defence and security domain, it may be necessary for the Dutch General Intelligence and Security Service (AIVD) to issue a Certificate of No Objection (VGB). In that case, you will undergo a security screening beforehand. You can find more information about this here.