Aerospace Jobs in the Netherlands

The Netherlands hosts ESTEC at Noordwijk, the European Space Agency's largest facility, where satellites and space systems are designed and tested. GKN Aerospace also builds structures here, and English is used throughout.

EU Helpers connects aerospace staff with employers in the Netherlands. We check your licence, degree and project record. Then we match you to open roles. We also help with the paperwork and the move. Browse our wider aerospace hiring landscape across Europe to see how the Netherlands fits in.

Quick facts:

• ESTEC at Noordwijk is ESA's largest facility.

• Satellites and space systems are designed and tested there.

• GKN Aerospace builds structures here.

• English is used throughout at the engineering level.

• English is the working language of European maintenance manuals.

Why the Netherlands' Aerospace Sector Is Hiring

Space is the Dutch strength. ESTEC engineers and tests European satellites and space systems, drawing specialists from across the continent.

GKN Aerospace, the former Fokker business, builds structures and landing gear components.

Schiphol adds maintenance work, with airline and independent MRO operations based there.

Two Ways In

Space systems records from ESTEC are rare and not widely recognised abroad, because there are very few comparable facilities.

What Does an Aerospace Job in the Netherlands Involve?

Aerospace work splits into four areas. Here is how each one looks.

Licensed maintenance. Licensed technicians in the Netherlands sign off aircraft work. This needs an EASA Part-66 licence in the right category, and it is the hardest thing for a foreign candidate to arrange.

Making parts and aircraft. Production work in the Netherlands covers assembly, composites, machining and finishing. No licence is needed, and it is the most accessible route in.

Design and engineering. Design and systems work in the Netherlands needs a degree and tool skills rather than a licence.

Ground and airport work. Ground and ramp work at Netherlands airports needs no aerospace training, and employers train you on arrival.

Aerospace Roles in Demand in the Netherlands

• Space systems engineer: ESTEC works on satellites and space systems, a rare record.

• Aerospace structures technician: GKN Aerospace structures and landing gear components.

• Aircraft maintenance technician: Part-66 licensed work at Schiphol and other Dutch sites.

• Test engineer: Environmental and systems testing at ESTEC and beyond.

• Quality and airworthiness inspector: Checking work and records against EASA rules at sites in the Netherlands.

• Ground support operative: Aircraft handling and ramp work at airports in the Netherlands. No licence needed to start.

• Production operative: Assembly and finishing work in Netherlands workshops and plants.

English access at engineering level makes the Netherlands one of the more reachable European aerospace markets.

How Much You Can Earn

Dutch aerospace pay is among the best in Europe, especially for engineers. Randstad housing is expensive and scarce, so compare offers after rent.

Things Worth Knowing Before You Apply

• ESTEC is the largest ESA facility in Europe.

• English is used throughout at an engineering level.

• Randstad housing is expensive and scarce.

• Space systems experience is rare and travels.

• Licence conversion takes months, so start it as early as you can.

Skills and Experience You Need

These points apply to Dutch nationals and foreign applicants alike. Employers care about what you can do.

Starting (Ground Support, Production Operative)

• No licence needed for ground support or production work

• Good English, because maintenance manuals are written in it

• You follow written procedures exactly, because this is safety-critical work.

Licensed or Skilled (Part-66 Technician, Engineer)

• An EASA Part-66 licence, or a national licence you can convert.

• A degree in aerospace, mechanical or electronic engineering for design roles

• Tool skills that match the job, such as CATIA for design or AMOS for maintenance

Senior (Lead Engineer, Shift Supervisor)

• Seven or more years, including charge of a team or a work package

• You have worked inside an approved Part-145 or Part-21 organisation.

• You can produce and sign the records the regulator expects

English is used throughout Dutch aerospace at an engineering level, and Dutch English levels are very high. Dutch helps for the shop floor and daily life.

Space and design roles need an accredited degree. Maintenance needs an EASA Part-66 licence. Production work needs neither.

Papers You Need

If You're a Dutch National

• National ID card or passport

• Your EASA Part-66 licence, if you hold one

• Degree certificate and transcripts

• A list of aircraft types you have worked on

• Training and tool certificates

If You're a Foreign Candidate

• A valid passport

• A signed job offer from a Netherlands-based aerospace employer

• Your licence, plus proof of any conversion in progress

• Degree certificate and transcripts, translated if asked.

• A record of the aircraft types and hours you have worked

• Criminal record certificate, which some roles check closely

EU Helpers is not a government body. We do not issue work permits, residence permits, or licences. We help you get your papers ready. Non-EU candidates usually apply through the Highly Skilled Migrant route or the EU Blue Card. Certifying maintenance also needs a valid EASA Part-66 licence, which is separate from the permit. The authority always makes the final call.

How EU Helpers Helps You

• We know ESTEC records are rare and not recognised abroad.

• We check whether your licence or degree needs converting, because that is where applications stall.

• We connect you with employers who support the Part-66 conversion route.

• We help you get your papers ready for hiring and moving.

• After you start, we check in to see how things are going.

Why Choose EU Helpers in the Netherlands

• We are honest about Randstad housing, because it catches people out.

• We check every candidate well before we send them to an employer.

• Our network reaches Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Eastern Europe. That gives employers a wider pool than local hiring.

• If the Netherlands is the wrong fit for what you want, we say so and look at other markets with you.

Get Started

Job Seekers

Sign up and tell us your licence category, degree and what you have worked on. Register as a job seeker to start.

Aerospace Employers and MRO Firms

Get access to checked technicians and engineers for your Netherlands sites. We handle the paperwork and the move. Start an employer partnership to tell us what you need.

Recruiters

Work with EU Helpers to place aerospace staff into Dutch space, structures and maintenance roles. Apply to join our recruiter network to get started.

Close to this field: see civil engineering jobs in the Netherlands and data science jobs in the Netherlands, which share technical and systems skills. Looking at something else? See renewable energy jobs in the Netherlands, construction jobs in the Netherlands, finance jobs in the Netherlands, architecture jobs in the Netherlands, urban planning jobs in the Netherlands, real estate jobs in the Netherlands, legal services jobs in the Netherlands, green economy jobs in the Netherlands, education jobs in the Netherlands, hospitality jobs in the Netherlands, agriculture jobs in the Netherlands, elderly care jobs in the Netherlands and customer service jobs in the Netherlands, or see every sector on our industries hub. Thinking about the move? Read our Netherlands relocation guide, or browse open aerospace roles across Europe; for anything else, contact our team.