System Qualification Lead & Lab Manager

At THORIZON, we are developing an innovative molten salt nuclear reactor. Getting there means more than designing a great reactor on paper. We need to build, test, learn, qualify and improve real systems—repeatedly, rigorously and safely.

Our Pilot programme is at the heart of this effort. It brings together tailor-made molten salt systems and experimental loops across several locations in the Netherlands and Belgium.

We are looking for a System Qualification Lead & Lab Manager to take ownership of the experimental operations behind this programme.

This is a hands-on role for someone who enjoys being close to the technology, but who also knows how to make complex projects happen: turning engineering into reality, creating the right operating framework, bringing people together, spotting problems early and making sure experiments deliver what they are supposed to deliver.

In short: you make sure our Pilot systems are ready to run—and run well.

Your mission is to turn engineered systems into safe, reliable and repeatable experimental operations.

You will own the operational readiness and execution of THORIZON’s Pilot laboratories, while building a consistent way of working across our different experimental locations.

You will:

• Own the operational lifecycle of our Pilot systems, from engineering delivery through FAT, commissioning and site start-up to operation, maintenance, upgrades and, ultimately, decommissioning.
• Act as project manager for engineering deliveries, ensuring that systems, equipment and documentation meet THORIZON requirements before they enter operation.
• Build the operating framework for our laboratories, including quality standards, procedures, experimental protocols and operational controls, in line with recognised international standards and applicable nuclear requirements.
• Build and develop the operational team, including recruiting and ensuring the appropriate qualification of internal and subcontracted operators.
• Own operational planning, budgets and delivery, making sure experiments happen when planned, within agreed resources and with the expected results and documentation.
• Make safety, environmental and regulatory compliance part of everyday operations, rather than something added afterwards.
• Ensure the reliability of our experimental programme, putting in place the maintenance, preparation and operational measures needed to keep systems available and experiments running.
• Coordinate external partners and suppliers, ensuring clear interfaces, expectations and delivery.
• Report clearly on progress, risks, deviations, decisions and results, giving management and colleagues the visibility they need to act.
• Help turn what we learn into better systems and better ways of working, and support communication of our achievements internally and externally.

Build one way of working across our Pilot programme

Our experiments will take place across several locations - including Eindhoven, Zeeland, Mol and others. Different systems, sites and teams should not mean different standards.

You will therefore also own the transversal standardisation of Pilot operations.

You will:

• Coordinate and supervise Pilot operations together with the wider THORIZON Pilot team.
• Ensure that experimental methodologies are applied consistently across locations.
• Develop, maintain and continuously improve internal standards, procedures and experimental protocols.
• Challenge those standards through experience and make sure improvements become part of everyday practice.
• Bring a quality-engineering mindset to experimental work, using appropriate tools such as DFMEA, root-cause analysis, 8D, structured problem solving, statistics and other quality methodologies.
• Capture lessons from experiments, deviations and failures and turn them into tangible improvements.

This is a high-autonomy role. We will give you responsibility—and expect you to use it.

You will work closely with the Cartridge Director, with a high level of transparency on progress, challenges, risks and decisions.

We expect you to:

• Raise the flag early. If something is unclear, off track or potentially risky, say so. We would rather hear about a problem early than discover it late.
• Ask for help when you need it. Bring the right THORIZON expertise around the table rather than trying to solve everything yourself.
• Take initiative. Organise the workshop, find the external expert, challenge the process or change the way we work when that is what the situation requires.
• Bring your experience. Share what you have learned elsewhere and challenge us constructively on how we design, operate and improve our systems.
• Treat safety, quality and learning as enablers of speed. They are not competing priorities; they are how we move faster without creating avoidable problems.
• Ensure compliance with applicable nuclear requirements, including relevant export-control regulations.

This is a genuinely hands-on role. During periods of active operation, being in the lab is essential. Eindhoven will initially be your main base, and some operational campaigns may require you to be on site for several months at a time.

When no experiment is running, remote working is possible, with a minimum presence in our Amsterdam office once a month and additional face-to-face sessions when useful.

We are less interested in a perfect CV than in someone who can take ownership of a complex operational challenge and make it work.

You will probably bring:

• Solid experience managing operations in the Netherlands, ideally in a technically complex, regulated or industrial environment.
• Experience working across engineering and project teams, with the ability to turn technical plans into operational reality.
• Experience in a laboratory, testing or experimental environment is a strong plus.
• A structured approach to planning, budgeting, reporting and follow-up.
• The ability to anticipate what could go wrong—and put something in place before it does.
• Familiarity with quality and problem-solving methodologies such as DFMEA, root-cause analysis, 8D or structured problem solving.
• Confidence with Office 365 and the tools needed to organise, communicate and keep track of things.
• Fluency in written and spoken English. French or Dutch is an advantage.

But technical expertise is only part of what we are looking for.

We are looking for someone who:

• Takes ownership. You see what needs to be done and make it happen. You use your judgement rather than waiting for perfect instructions.
• Works as one team. You seek input from other disciplines and understand that good solutions rarely come from one perspective.
• Speaks up. You challenge assumptions, raise risks and distinguish clearly between what is known, what is assumed and what still needs to be proven.
• Learns and adapts. You stand by your position when the facts support it—and change it when they don't. When things go wrong, you look for learning before looking for someone to blame.
• Keeps things moving. You bring structure to complexity, focus on what matters and keep solutions as simple as possible without compromising quality.
• Builds trust and raises the bar. You are open, direct and reliable. You care about the quality of your work and help others do their best.
• Enjoys the challenge. The problems are difficult, the technology is new and the path is not always predictable. You find that energising rather than frustrating.

You will join THORIZON at a point where the technology is moving from concept towards proof. That means your work will have a direct impact on how we build, test, learn and ultimately qualify our technology.

You can expect:

• Real ownership: you will have the responsibility and autonomy to shape how our Pilot operations work.
• A close connection to the technology: this is not a desk-only role. You will see systems being built, commissioned, tested, operated and improved.
• A multidisciplinary environment: you will work closely with engineering, project, quality, safety and technology teams.
• The opportunity to build something new: our operating framework, standards and ways of working are still being shaped. Your experience will genuinely influence them.
• A culture of transparency and learning: problems are information. We want them surfaced early, understood properly and used to improve.
• A high-impact mission: helping turn an innovative molten salt reactor concept into technology that can be demonstrated, tested and trusted.