
Nearfield Instruments brings together the most creative minds in science and technology to develop, produce and market revolutionary high throughput scanning probe microscopy systems, enabling atom-scale resolution 3D metrology at industry-level throughput. We design, develop, integrate, market and service these advanced metrology machines, which enable our customers – the world’s leading chipmakers – to increase the production yields, and thus, functionality of their microchips. In this way Nearfield Instruments contributes to the development of smaller, more powerful consumer electronics.

Nearfield Instruments brings together the most creative minds in science and technology to develop, produce and market revolutionary high throughput scanning probe microscopy systems, enabling atom-scale resolution 3D metrology at industry-level throughput. We design, develop, integrate, market and service these advanced metrology machines, which enable our customers – the world’s leading chipmakers – to increase the production yields, and thus, functionality of their microchips. In this way Nearfield Instruments contributes to the development of smaller, more powerful consumer electronics.
Founded: January 2016 as a TNO spin-off (Delft, Netherlands)
Flagship product: QUADRA — in-line, high-throughput 3D scanning-probe/AFM metrology at atomic-scale resolution
Latest major funding: €135 million Series C closed 2024-07-18 (led by Walden Catalyst and Temasek)
Investor base: Backed by strategic and institutional investors including Temasek, Walden Catalyst, M&G Investments, Invest-NL, Innovation Industries, ING, Samsung Venture, Eugene, and TNO
Market focus: Semiconductor process-control metrology for advanced chipmakers
| Company |
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Semiconductor process-control metrology; in-line atomic-scale 3D metrology for advanced semiconductor manufacturing.
2016
Semiconductor Manufacturing
€135 million
Co-investor M&G Investments (Catalyst strategy); participation from Innovation Industries, Invest-NL, and ING.
€27 million
Existing investors Invest-NL, Innovation Industries and TNO participated.
€17.5 million
Announced as part of Series B financing.
€12 million
Additional equity investment that brought the Series B round total to €48.5 million.
€10 million
Early investment; TNO remained a shareholder.
Flexible bank financing facility to accelerate global expansion and scale production capacity.
“Backed by a mix of strategic, institutional and deep-tech investors, including Temasek, Walden Catalyst, M&G Investments, Invest-NL, Innovation Industries, ING, Samsung Venture Investment Corporation, Eugene Investment & Securities, and TNO.”
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