Job description

At Nearfield Instruments we're looking for a Program Manager R&D to join our team.

We are a fast-growing high-tech scale-up, founded in 2016, developing revolutionary high-throughput Scanning Probe Microscopy systems. Our metrology solutions empower the world’s leading chipmakers to push the boundaries of semiconductor performance. With over 300 brilliant minds, we combine science, engineering, and innovation to shape the future of nanotechnology.

Your Mission:

As R&D Program Manager, you will lead the development and delivery of the complex, multi-disciplinary R&D program that is central to our technology and product roadmap. You’ll orchestrate cross-functional teams, manage dependencies, and ensure timely execution across engineering, supply chain, and customer delivery. You’ll be the strategic driver behind our most critical R&D program —balancing technical depth with business insight to deliver impactful results.

What will you be doing?

Lead the full lifecycle of the high impact R&D program, from concept to customer delivery.

Work with the R&D Manager to align and guide cross-functional teams of project managers and technical experts.

Manage program scope, timelines, budgets, risks, and escalations.

Collaborate with supply chain and external partners to ensure readiness.

Report program status and progress to leadership and stakeholders.

Ensure alignment with Nearfield’s technology roadmap and customer expectations.

What makes this role exciting?

You’ll directly influence the development of cutting-edge metrology solutions.

You’ll work at the intersection of innovation, strategy, and execution.

You’ll help shape the future of semiconductor manufacturing.

You’ll be part of a passionate, collaborative team in a dynamic scale-up environment.

Job requirements

What we’re looking for?

We’re looking for a strategic thinker with a hands-on mindset—someone who thrives in complexity and uncertainty, and who can lead with clarity and confidence.

You bring:

Proven experience as a Program Manager in high-tech system development, preferably in semiconductor metrology.

Strong leadership and stakeholder management skills.

Experience delivering complex systems to customers.

Experience taking research projects and technology development towards successful completion and delivery onto end products

Technical affinity and ability to translate engineering challenges into actionable plans.

Excellent problem-solving and communication skills.

Comfort working in a fast-paced, evolving environment.

Do you want to join our team as our new Program Manager R&D? Then we'd love to hear about you!

Recruitment, consultancy and/or other agency?

We appreciate the interest, but we source all our candidates directly. We understand that you as an intermediary want to present candidates to our interesting positions. This is not how we have structured our recruitment.

This means that all profiles offered to Nearfield Instruments will be treated as direct applications. Unless we have explicitly agreed otherwise.

On-site

Rotterdam HQ

Program & Project Management