Team Leader Assembly & Integration (AIT) | 40 hr | Leiden | Space industry | Technical Leadership | Start date: October/November 2026 | Duration: 1 year (detached assignment) | Airbus Defence and Space Netherlands

Start date: October 2026 (November is also possible)
Hours: 40 hours per week (minimum 32 hours on-site)
Location: Leiden
Duration: 1 year (DETA contract), with the intention of permanent employment
Reason: Replacement of the current Team Leader
 

Company description

At Airbus Defence and Space Netherlands, we work at the cutting edge of technology in one of the most challenging and rapidly changing industries in the world: space. Our products and services—including solar arrays, launcher structures, instruments, and optical communication—are among the best in the world. They enable missions that are of great importance to our daily lives on Earth, such as satellite navigation, communications, climate research, and air quality monitoring.

At our state-of-the-art facilities in Leiden, a team of highly skilled professionals works on the design, development, assembly, integration, testing, and delivery of advanced space products and systems.
 

About the role

Airbus Defence and Space Netherlands is seeking an Assembly & Integration Team Leader for its Assembly, Integration & Test (AIT) department.

You will lead a team of approximately 20–25 AIT Technicians and Test Engineers and be responsible for the effective planning, coordination, and development of the team. You will work closely with AIT Managers, Project Leaders, and other stakeholders to ensure that production activities are carried out safely, efficiently, and to the highest quality standards.

This is a leadership role with a strong technical foundation. Hands-on technical experience is important because it enables you to understand technical challenges and translate them into practical solutions. However, the role itself does not focus on performing hands-on technical work.

You will report directly to the Head of Assembly, Integration & Test.
 

Your role and responsibilities

As Team Leader, Assembly & Integration, you will:

• Lead, coach, and develop a team of approximately 20–25 AIT Technicians and Test Engineers;
• Plan and allocate team resources based on project priorities, capacity, and production requirements;
• Coordinate activities and ensure the effective execution of assembly, integration, and testing activities;
• Monitor team performance, workload, progress, and resource utilization;
• Serve as a key point of contact for AIT Managers, Project Leaders, and other key stakeholders;
• Identify bottlenecks and operational challenges and implement improvements and corrective actions;
• Lead and support process improvement initiatives within the department;
• Translate technical challenges into practical solutions and ensure that they are effectively implemented;
• Support the professional development of team members through coaching, feedback, and performance management;
• Work closely with Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Work Preparation, Quality, and Logistics;
• Contribute to departmental planning, operational improvements, and strategic initiatives;
• Ensure that activities are performed in accordance with applicable quality, safety, and aerospace standards.

Your profile

You are an experienced people manager with a technical background and a strong understanding of production or assembly environments. You enjoy working with technical professionals and are able to combine people management with operational and process improvement.

You bring:

• At least a bachelor's degree (HBO) or MBO+ in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Mechatronics, or a related technical field;
• At least 5 years of relevant professional experience; ideally, approximately 8–10 years;
• Proven leadership or people management experience in a technical, production, or manufacturing environment;
• Hands-on technical experience that enables you to understand technical challenges and translate them into practical solutions;
• Experience in the aerospace, aviation, space, or another high-tech manufacturing environment;
• Demonstrable experience with process improvement and leading improvement initiatives;
• A mindset focused on continuous improvement; experience with Lean or Six Sigma is considered a strong advantage;
• Experience with SAP or another ERP system is considered an advantage;
• Good knowledge of Microsoft Office;
• Strong planning and organizational skills;
• Excellent communication skills in both Dutch and English;
• A proactive, decisive, and solution-oriented leadership style;
• The ability to work effectively with multiple stakeholders in a complex technical environment.

What we offer

• A unique opportunity to lead a highly skilled technical team working on advanced space technology;
• A leadership role within an international aerospace organization;
• Close collaboration with AIT managers, project leaders, and multidisciplinary technical teams;
• The opportunity to drive operational improvements and contribute to the further development of the AIT department;
• Exposure to innovative European space programs;
• A challenging and dynamic work environment in Leiden;
• A one-year fixed-term assignment with the intention of permanent employment;
• 40 hours per week, with a minimum of 32 hours on-site in Leiden.

Recruitment Process

The selection process consists of two on-site interviews at Airbus Defence and Space Netherlands, followed by an assessment as the final step.

For questions: robert.vandenouwelant@headfirst.nl