Director Engineering

Do you enjoy leading talented engineering teams through an exciting phase of growth, and helping specialists do the best work of their careers? Do you have a background in senior engineering leadership at a company that combines hardware and software products, ideally in sensors, motion or robotics? Are you interested in working for a growing and innovative high tech company, where people and passion are part of our core values? We'd love to have you!

Who is Xsens

Xsens is a leading full-stack provider of inertial sensing technology, combining IMUs, sensor fusion software, and analytics to capture and interpret movement with precision. Our IMUs and motion tracking solutions power robotics, drones, and autonomous systems, and incorporate computer vision to give machines a reliable understanding of motion and orientation in the real world. From humanoid robotics and physical AI to automation and mobility, entertainment, and health and sports, Xsens helps customers turn movement data into meaningful, actionable insight. We partner with leading global brands such as NVIDIA, Toyota, Siemens, Scania, Electronic Arts, and Netflix, as well as leading humanoid robotics manufacturers and more than 1,000 sports organizations, research centers, and universities, to create extraordinary outcomes that move humanity forward. Xsens is a portfolio company of Francisco Partners. Visit www.xsens.com to learn more.

Your role as Director Engineering at Xsens

As Director Engineering you will be responsible for engineering and delivery across all Xsens product lines. You will lead the specialists behind our technology: inertial sensor hardware, embedded firmware, sensor fusion and biomechanical algorithms, and the software and analytics our customers use every day.

Your mission is to build on the team’s strong technical foundation as we scale: shaping a way of working that is fast, predictable and built on high standards, and fostering a culture of ownership and collaboration that makes it last. You will own the R&D budget, headcount and supplier decisions within the approved plan, and make sure Engineering works closely together with Product Management, Sales, Support and Operations. With humanoid robotics as our fastest-growing segment, Engineering is where our ambition is won.

You will lead the Engineering team of approximately 45 FTE, which is expected to grow to 50–55 FTE, and report to the COO. You will be based in Enschede, with on-site presence of at least three days per week, and preferably four during your first year.

Key challenges:

•  Get to know the organization, people and processes within your first 90 days, and set out a clear plan for how Engineering scales with our ambitions

• Grow and develop the team: coach and support our engineers, create clear growth paths, and attract new talent as the team expands

• Together with Product Management, establish a predictable weekly and monthly delivery rhythm, supported by an engineering capacity model and close alignment with Operations

• Be a real technical thought partner to the leads in hardware, firmware, software and core algorithms, while ensuring engineering support for production, calibration and Business Development prototyping

• Drive the adoption of AI in engineering, from AI-assisted development to testing and tooling, and share clear insights with leadership on what is working and what is not

Xsens is looking for a hands-on, people-oriented leader as Director Engineering. Someone who brings experience from strong engineering organizations and thrives in an environment where ownership, speed and high standards are highly appreciated. You have:

• A candid, down-to-earth and hands-on leadership style, and the energy to guide an engineering organization through growth while bringing the team along on the journey

• Senior engineering leadership experience in a company with combined hardware and software products (not software only). Sensor, motion or robotics experience is ideal; adjacent sectors such as medical devices, automotive sensors, drones, industrial automation and consumer electronics are equally relevant

• A track record of developing engineering teams and leading organizations through change and growth, with experience in a strong engineering organization whose best practices you can bring with you

• Credibility across core algorithms, hardware, firmware and software, with real depth in at least two; experience with sensor fusion, embedded systems or motion and robotics is a strong plus

• Hands-on experience driving AI adoption in engineering workflows

• A degree in engineering or a related technical field; Dutch language skills are preferred

Working at Xsens

 We value ingenious ideas, no matter where they come from. We believe diverse thoughts, voices, and backgrounds make us stronger as a company. We know that it is through collaboration with people from all walks of life that we make the most positive impact as an organization.

Join Xsens’ innovative, ambitious, and international team, where your ideas and talents make an impact. Along with a competitive compensation package, we offer a range of benefits designed to support your well-being and help you thrive.

• 28 paid vacation days with an option to buy, sell, or carry over days, giving you flexibility to manage your time off as appropriate to your situation

• Tax perks for your sports memberships and bicycle purchase; so staying active is easier than ever.

• Flexible working hours and the option to work from home, helping you balance life and work

• Paid volunteer time: Through our partnership with Stichting Present, you have the opportunity to give back to the community during office hours

• Our partnership with Equip gives you on-demand access to a dedicated financial planner who provides clear guidance and a concrete plan for wealth building, pensions, and major life events.

• Enjoy company social events as well as fun, informal activities organized by our staff association. From movie nights and sports clinics to cooking classes and LAN parties, there’s always something happening to connect and have fun