Motions & Mechatronics Principal Research Engineer

FUNCTION

Create the technology that will shape tomorrow's industry!

We are looking for a principal research engineer who will give direction to the development of advanced motion and mechatronic systems. In this role, you not only determine what is technically possible, but especially which choices are sustainable, scalable and industrially relevant.

You operate at the intersection of research, system architecture and application and take ownership of the technological coherence and quality within the Motions domain.

Your Role

As a principal researcher , you will be responsible for the substantive direction of complex movement systems. You ensure that insights from research, modelling and validation are translated into decision-making architectural choices that hold up in an industrial context.
You will work together with researchers, engineers and external partners, without hierarchical control, but with substantive authority and vision. You will work in a multidisciplinary and innovative environment where complex technological issues are central. The role has a high level of expertise and trust and requires both depth and overview. You are a substantive anchor point for teams and partners working on motion-driven products and systems.

Your Function

• You help build coherent motion and system architectures across projects;
• You make technology choices transparently and substantiated through models and data;
• You connect disciplines such as mechanics, drive systems, control technology and software;
• You help research results grow into industrially applicable solutions;
• You create reusable knowledge and design principles that structurally strengthen the organization;
• You take the initiative to set up collaborative projects and you keep your finger on the pulse of various projects.

PROFILE

Your skills

• You think systemically and architecturally;
• You make choices based on physical insight, models and data;
• You use data and intelligence techniques in a targeted and functional way;
• You combine analytical depth with product and industry focus;
• You take responsibility for direction and quality, without formalizing them;
• You bring a broad network to a relevant domain.

Your background

You have a strong foundation in electromechanics, mechatronics or related engineering sciences and extensive experience in an industrial or applied R&D context. Electric, connected, collaborative, autonomously operating vehicles and machines hold no secrets for you.
You have extensive experience in one or more subdomains such as predictive control, lifetime prediction, predictive maintenance, semantic world modelling, sensor fusion, battery technology, electric motors, cooling and lubrication, etc. and can combine them with the latest developments in artificial intelligence, power electronics, communication technology or other more fundamental developments. You feel comfortable in complex collaborations and have experience in steering technological choices across multiple projects.
You bring 10 years of relevant experience in a research environment, knowledge of grant projects is a plus.

Do you want to help shape the technology of tomorrow?
We are looking for candidates who want to build systems that matter — today and in the future.

OUR OFFER

In this position, you will not work on one solution, but on technological frameworks and direction. Your impact is long-term and organization-wide combines depth, autonomy and strategic relevance. The role is evolutionary and grows with technology and context

What you can expect

• Make an impact where it really counts. In this role, you will help shape the future of industry, science and technology. You will build strong collaborations and create synergies within Flanders Make and our broad ecosystem.
• Grow with the best. You will continuously develop yourself within a unique network of leading companies, top universities and research institutions.
• Work in an inspiring environment. You will be working in an open, dynamic and progressive organisation where flexibility, innovation and initiative are central.
• Be part of a close-knit team. You will work together with passionate colleagues in a warm, supportive and collaborative culture.
• Count on a strong overall package. In addition to a competitive salary, we offer an extensive package of benefits, including meal vouchers, comprehensive hospitalisation and group insurance and a solid pension plan.
• Keep balance in your work and life. Thanks to flexible working hours, ADV days and extra leave days between Christmas and New Year, we support a healthy work-life balance.

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