Teamlead Testing and Validation Services

Join Our Team as a Testing & Validation Services Lead at Flanders Make Application Research Division!

Are you passionate about driving transformation in the manufacturing industry? At Flanders Make, we are dedicated to pioneering innovations that enhance the international competitiveness of manufacturing companies. Our vision is to lead the Make industry into a new era of smart, interconnected products and production systems, customized products at the price of serial production, agile and human-centered manufacturing organizations, and sustainable products and production systems.

Your Role

As a Testing & Validation Service team leader, you will ensure the effective implementation, operation, and utilization of our advanced mechatronic testing infrastructure and validation expertise for research and services to companies.

You will work with a team of experts to maintain and optimize our technological assets, ensuring they support the innovative projects that drive our mission. Your expertise will be vital in translating the needs of researchers and companies into effective and efficient validation plans which can be executed by your team. You will identify future needs and leverage existing skills to make innovation a reality in proof of concepts (PoCs) and prototypes in collaboration with other teams. You strive for maximum reuse of existing PoCs and infrastructure and compatibility between new ideas. Effective and efficient use of resources for testing and validation is your ambition.

Function

Your main responsibilities as Team Leader

You will manage a team of +/- 10 test and validation engineers and ensure their growth, well-being and effective deployment in research and B2B projects. As a coach and people manager, you actively listen to your team, guide their development and create strong cooperation and team dynamics.

You ensure that the right expertise is always used on the right projects. In doing so, you set clear priorities and coordinate support questions in an efficient way. You will ensure smooth collaboration with other technology domains and support research teams with technical insight and advice when needed.

Infrastructure Management

You will be responsible for the optimal use and performance of our mechatronic test infrastructure, so that it contributes maximally to research and industrial applications. You will manage the use and commissioning of the infrastructure and stimulate its application within research and B2B projects. In close collaboration with the sales team, you make external services possible. In addition, you closely monitor and report on the use, costs and income. You also monitor physical and digital security, together with internal stakeholders.

Driving New Projects & Innovation

You will play a key role in further expanding our testing capabilities and driving innovation. You detect opportunities and translate them into concrete improvements and expansions of the infrastructure, always in line with future needs and technological trends. You will develop new services for the industry and actively contribute to roadmap activities to set a clear direction for your team. In doing so, you also take on a role within the team of managers and the corelab to work together across the teams on a common vision. You coordinate new infrastructure projects in collaboration with other teams within Motions and you explore new domains such as virtual testing. You work together with external partners for purchase and maintenance. You are responsible for following up on the ISO9001 quality standard, following up on the audit and managing your employees to comply with this standard.

Required Skills

• Master’s degree in a relevant technical field with 5–10 years of experience.
• Strong leadership, entrepreneurial mindset, and stakeholder management skills.
• Solid technical knowledge (mechatronics), problem-solving ability, and safety awareness.
• Organizational, strategic, and commercial insight with budget management skills.
• Additional strengths: experience with technical teams, practical mindset, adaptability, and a motivating, mature leadership style.
• Knowledge of the ISO 9001 quality system is a plus.

Our offer

· Make an impact where it truly matters. In this role, you contribute to shaping the future of industry, science, and technology, building strong connections and driving synergies within Flanders Make and across an extensive ecosystem.

· Grow with the best. You’ll continuously develop your skills within a unique network of leading industrial companies, top universities, and renowned research institutes.

· Thrive in an inspiring environment. Join an open, dynamic, and forward-thinking workplace where flexibility, innovation, and initiative are encouraged every day.

· Work with people who care. You’ll be part of a warm, collaborative culture, surrounded by passionate colleagues who support and challenge each other.

· Enjoy a rewarding total package. We offer a competitive salary complemented by an extensive range of benefits, including meal vouchers, comprehensive hospitalization and group insurance, and a solid pension plan.

· Balance is key. Benefit from flexible working hours, ADV days, and additional time off between Christmas and New Year—helping you maintain a healthy work-life balance.