Optics11 is a fast-growing high-tech company based in Amsterdam, developing advanced fiber optic sensing systems for the most demanding environments. Our technology detects the earliest signs of failure in critical assets – from high-voltage energy infrastructure to subsea and defense applications – and gives our customers precise, real-time data they can act on.
Within our Underwater Security business we develop sensing technologies that help detect and monitor underwater threats. Our solutions include OptiBarrier, designed for immediate, over-the-horizon threat detection, and OptiArray, our low-power optical thin-line towed array for unmanned underwater vehicles and submarines.
Role Overview
As a Hardware Test Engineer at Optics11, you play a key role in ensuring the quality, reliability, and performance of our fiber-optic sensing systems. You develop and execute hardware tests at board and sub-system level, identifying potential issues early and helping our engineers deliver robust, production-ready solutions.
Combining hands-on hardware engineering with test automation, you build test setups, analyze results, support prototype development, and help transfer testing processes from R&D to production.
You will be part of our Sensing Platform Team, working closely with multidisciplinary engineering teams, production, and external partners.
What You'll Do
Hardware Testing & Automation
Develop and execute test plans and procedures for electronic boards, assemblies, and sub-systems.
Design and maintain test setups, fixtures, and jigs for functional, electrical, and optical testing.
Perform environmental, stability, and robustness testing, including thermal cycling, vibration, and EMC/ESD pre-compliance.
Develop Python-based test automation for instrument control, data logging, and analysis.
Document test procedures, results, and findings, ensuring clear traceability and reproducibility.
Prototyping & Production Support
Support prototype assembly, soldering, rework, cable assembly, and fiber handling and splicing.
Develop and improve production and Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) setups, procedures, and test jigs.
Support troubleshooting, repairs, and root-cause investigations during development and production.
Maintain an organized, safe, and well-equipped R&D laboratory, including equipment calibration and materials management.
Technical Analysis & Continuous Improvement
Analyze test results to evaluate hardware performance, identify risks, and support engineering decisions.
Investigate hardware failures and collaborate with design engineers on corrective actions.
Contribute to design-for-test and design-for-manufacturing improvements.
Identify opportunities to improve test methods, automation, and product reliability.
Collaboration & Delivery
Work closely with Electronics, Photonics, Embedded Software, Mechanical Engineering, IVVQ, and production teams.
Support the handover of tested hardware and documentation to integration, validation, and production teams.
Independently plan and execute assigned activities, communicating progress, risks, and dependencies.
Share technical knowledge, contribute to design reviews, and support continuous improvement across the team.
What we offer
Join one of Europe’s fastest-growing deep-tech scale-ups.
Real impact: your work directly shapes our growth and success.
A great team in an international organization with colleagues from more than twenty nationalities.
A competitive salary and benefits package.
30 days of holiday per year.
Fresh team lunches five times a week, plus regular team activities and company events.
Qualifications
BSc (HBO) in Electrical Engineering, Electronics, Mechatronics, Applied Physics, or a related technical discipline, or equivalent experience.
2+ years of relevant experience in hardware testing, test engineering, prototyping, or lab work on electronic or electro-optical products.
Hands-on experience with laboratory instruments such as multimeters, oscilloscopes, power supplies, signal generators, and data loggers; experience with optical power meters is an advantage.
Experience executing test plans and procedures, logging and analyzing measurement data, and documenting results in clear test reports.
Good soldering and rework skills for through-hole and SMD components, including building custom cables and harnesses, and the ability to read schematics, PCB layouts, wiring diagrams, and assembly drawings.
Experience with or good understanding of environmental testing (e.g. temperature, thermal cycling, vibration) and of EMC/ESD principles.
Python skills for test automation, instrument control, and data analysis; experience with LabVIEW, embedded Linux or similar tools is advantageous.
Awareness of ESD-safe working practices and lab safety, including laser safety, or willingness to be trained.
A structured, practical, and hands-on working style, and real enjoyment of testing, finding problems, and getting hardware to work.
Good communication skills in English and a collaborative working style.
Eligible for EU/NATO security clearance.
Preferred
Experience with fiber handling, connector cleaning and inspection, and fusion splicing.
Experience with EMC pre-compliance measurements (e.g. EN 55032/CISPR 32 emissions, IEC 61000-4-x immunity) or environmental test standards (e.g. IEC 60068, MIL-STD-810).
IPC certification (e.g. IPC-A-610 or IPC J-STD-001) or experience with ESD control programs (IEC 61340-5-1).
Experience developing production test setups, test jigs, or programming fixtures, or supporting NPI and production transfer with electronics manufacturing partners.
Experience in multidisciplinary high-tech product development (e.g. sensing, photonics, instrumentation, defence, or subsea).
Screening
You will work with clients in the defense and security sectors. Obtaining a Certificate of No Objection issued by the AIVD, the Dutch General Intelligence and Security Service, is mandatory. This means you will need to undergo a security screening. We will explain the process and guide you through the applicable requirements.