The ENGINEERING GROUP (EG) of SRON designs and realizes unique research instrumentation and aerospace instruments. The engineers work closely with people from the instrument scientist group from SRON, but also with partners from other knowledge institutes and industry. The EG consists of 55-60 employees with a technical background at academic, Bachelor and intermediate education level and has a wide range of electronic manufacturing facilities in cleanrooms and a well-equipped mechanical workshop.
The EG participates in virtually all SRON projects in the field of development and construction of detectors and instruments. Numerous system studies and designs, concept developments and feasibility studies have been or are being carried out for a wide variety of satellite instruments. The EG also participates in the development of instruments for detection from aircraft and balloon flights. EG invests heavily in new technology such as mechanical and electronic modelling, cubesat engineering, 3D printing and innovative adhesive technologies.
The EG is divided into 4 teams/disciplines, each with its own manager/section head:
- Electronic Design
- Mechanical Design
- Product & Quality Assurance
- Engineering Realization
At both locations, Leiden and Groningen, the EG has state of the art production and assembly facilities.
In my role, my five main activities and responsibilities are:
- Staffing and co-steering of the realization of the projects
- Strategic vision, policy and development EG
- Contribution to policy-making and operational management of the institute as a whole
- Leading EG (55 – 60 FTE) indirectly and directly to 4 section heads
- Maintaining contacts with national industry and knowledge institutes in the field of engineering
