Location: Eindhoven, Netherlands

Type: Full-time

Experience: +5 years

Wearable System Engineer — a hands-on deep-tech role for builders who can lead projects, move fast, and turn breakthrough ideas into wearable systems that perform in the real world.
About Touchwaves

At Touchwaves, we are building the next generation of human–machine interfaces.

We are a TNO spin-off working closely with defence partners to develop technology for environments where failure is not an option.

Most wearables today are incremental: slightly better batteries, marginally improved sensors, more apps layered on top.

We are not interested in incremental.

Touchwaves is developing next-generation wearable systems that operate where performance, reliability, and human limits collide. Our embodied haptics technology connects human physiology with intelligent systems, enabling pilots and operators to maintain situational awareness and perform at their best under extreme cognitive and physical stress.

Our platforms integrate sensing, embedded intelligence, and haptic actuation directly into garments and equipment used by military and security professionals.

By combining science, engineering, and design, we build wearable systems that raise human performance in defence, aviation, and dual-use applications.

The Mission

As a Wearables Engineer, you will lead the project turning textiles into intelligent systems. You will perform hands-on development of smart garments that integrate haptics, sensors, and electronics directly into fabric, and validate them on real humans in real conditions.

You will work at the intersection of engineering, textiles, human performance, and manufacturing, side-by-side with world-leading experts. You will shape technology that protects, informs, and augments people operating at the limits of human capability.

If you want safe, predictable, or incremental — this role is not for you.

What You Will Build Smart Garments That Perform Under Pressure

• Lead the development of wearable garments with integrated sensors and haptics
• Turn concepts into functional, testable, production-ready prototypes
• Push beyond conventional wearables into true body-integrated systems

Textile–Electronics Integration at the Edge

• Apply and advance smart-textile manufacturing methods
• Develop and test robust electronics integration in textiles, including electrical functionality and durability testing
• Explore printed electronics and novel integration approaches

Human-Centered Validation

• Design and execute wearable testing on human subjects
• Lead validation studies measuring performance, comfort, reliability, and usability
• Work within and manage ethical approval processes for human testing
• Collaborate with experts in bio-mechanics and -engineering, human performance, system electronics

From Prototype to Production

• Research and implement integration methods that scale
• Use statistical methods to validate and drive improvement
• Set up quality monitoring and testing systems for wearable garments
• Work closely with manufacturing partners to bridge innovation and production reality

Required Experience & Skills Must-Have

You have documented, hands-on experience in:

• Smart-textile manufacturing, including laser cutting, lamination processes, soldering, sewing
• Integrating electronics into wearables, including electrical functionality testing
• Biomechanics, biomedical engineering, human performance, or body-function-related domains
• Testing wearables on humans, including familiarity with ethical approval processes
• Leading technical development projects from concept to prototype
• Clear communication across technical teams, partners, and project stakeholders

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Strongly Preferred

• Background in defence, aerospace, robotics, automotive, or medical devices
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification
• Experience with printed electronics or novel integration methods
• Fast-paced startup or scale-up environment

Who You Are

• A builder — you prototype, test, fail, learn, and iterate
• A technical project lead — able to create momentum, make decisions, and keep execution on track
• A strong communicator — able to align engineers, partners, and stakeholders without losing technical depth
• Driven by impact, purpose, and ambition
• Comfortable operating in uncertainty and shaping things that don’t exist yet
• Energized by collaboration across engineering, design, science, and manufacturing
• Motivated by ownership and the chance to grow fast

We care more about drive, ownership, and learning speed than a lengthy CV.

What We Offer

• A startup-fast role with real ownership: hands-on technical work, project leadership, and direct influence on the future of advanced wearables
• Direct impact on defence and human performance technology
• The chance to shape systems used by high-performance professionals in critical environments
• Continuous growth through:
• Collaboration with world-renowned experts in wearables, human performance, and applied engineering
• Opportunities to present work at international conferences
• Competitive salary based on experience
• A culture where ambition, curiosity, and responsibility are rewarded
• Hybrid working possible

Why Join Now

The architecture is still forming. The standards are not yet written.

Join now, and you won’t just optimize systems — you’ll define how next-generation wearables are built, integrated, and trusted in the most demanding environments.

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How to Apply

Interested? Send us your CV and a short note on why this role excites you to hello@touchwaves.io — or simply apply through the form below

Curious but not sure if you’re the perfect fit? Reach out anyway — we’d love to explore your profile and interests.