Optics11 is a rapidly growing Dutch deep-tech company developing advanced fiber-optic sensing technology for critical infrastructure worldwide. Its solutions monitor subsea cables, maritime installations and energy assets and providing real-time insights in environments where traditional sensors cannot operate.

As Business Controller, you will work closely with the CFO and the Management Team as a strategic finance business partner. You will translate financial and operational data into actionable insights, strengthen financial control and play a key role in the further professionalization and international growth of the business.

In this role, you will be responsible for preparing management reports, forecasts, financial analyses, and scenario models, ensuring that management has timely insight into business performance and the financial impact of projects and investments. You will monitor budgets and investments, identify financial risks, and advise on priorities and optimization opportunities. In addition, you will actively contribute to improving financial processes, internal controls, governance, and reporting structures, helping to build a scalable and future-proof finance function.

You will work closely with the CFO, the Management Team, and external advisors, providing financial insights for strategic decision-making and supporting complex financial topics such as CAPEX planning, project budgeting, and resource allocation. This is a hands-on position that combines financial reporting with true business partnering, allowing you to be closely involved in day-to-day operations while maintaining a broad strategic perspective.

You thrive in a dynamic, technical and international environment where project oversight and strategic business insight intersect. You enjoy ensuring robust financial management, analyzing project and business data, and delivering actionable insights to support management decisions. Hands-on and pragmatic, you are comfortable working with detailed operational data while also understanding broader strategic priorities. You take ownership, work independently, and can influence processes and decisions across multiple teams and stakeholders.

“You fit this role if you enjoy combining financial expertise with business insight, turning complex data into clear recommendations and supporting strategic decision-making. You thrive in a fast-growing, international environment where you can build structure, improve processes and act as a true sparring partner for management. In this role, you will have the opportunity to directly contribute to the growth of Optics11 by providing the insights and analysis needed to make the right decisions at the right time.”

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field;
• 7+ years of experience in a finance role, such as Business Controller, FP&A Controller, Project Controller;
• Strong knowledge of financial reporting, budgeting and forecasting;
• Experience with process improvement, internal controls, governance and insurance;
• Ability to conduct scenario analyses, resource allocation, and project-level financial oversight;
• Skilled in delivering management and board/investor reports, translating data into actionable insights;
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, international environment with multiple concurrent projects;
• Hands-on, proactive, and able to bring structure to a fast-growing organization by creating insights, improving processes, and supporting data-driven decision-making;
• Proven experience in a project-driven business environment, with knowledge of project accounting, Percentage of Completion (PoC) methodology, and revenue recognition;
• Strong analytical skills with experience in financial modelling, advanced Excel, and BI tools such as Power BI to translate data into actionable business insights;
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, capable of working with project managers, senior management, and external advisors;
• Fluent in English, both written and spoken.  

Introduction
In September 2022, the Nordstream explosions delivered a wake-up call that reverberated across every European capital: the vast network of subsea infrastructure that underpins our energy supply, data connectivity, and economic security is dangerously exposed. As geopolitical tensions and concerns around the security of subsea cables and pipelines continue to increase, safeguarding these vital networks has become a strategic priority for governments and industry alike. 

In recent years, the seabed security landscape is evolving rapidly and Optics11 has become a leading player in the rapidly evolving field of underwater infrastructure protection. At Optics11, they believe the foundations matter most: A sensing and monitoring layer that operates reliably for decades, that produces forensic-quality data, that integrates into any architecture, and that scales from a harbor to a coastline. That is the infrastructure on which everything else is built.

Founded in 2011 and headquartered in Amsterdam, Optics11 has grown from a university spin-off into one of Europe's most innovative and fast growing deep-tech companies. Combining cutting-edge photonics, fiber optic sensing technology and advanced data analytics, the company develops intelligent monitoring solutions that help protect some of the world's most critical infrastructure. Its technologies are deployed across industries where reliability, precision and security are paramount, including defense, maritime and energy applications.

At the heart of Optics11's innovation lies a simple but powerful concept: “listening with light”. By leveraging highly sensitive fiber optic sensors, the company can detect acoustic signals and vibrations with exceptional accuracy. This enables customers to monitor assets in real time, identify anomalies at an early stage and respond proactively to potential threats or failures. Unlike conventional electronic sensors, Optics11's optical technology performs reliably in harsh environments, making it particularly suited for subsea, offshore and mission-critical operations.

Optics11's advanced sensing systems provide continuous monitoring of underwater environments, enabling operators to detect suspicious activity, unauthorized interference and potential sabotage before damage occurs. This technology contributes directly to the resilience of Europe's digital connectivity, energy infrastructure and national security.

Strategy – Venture Capital and investments
The company's focus on R&D and innovation has attracted significant international recognition. Optics11 has secured substantial growth investments from leading investors and received major financial backing from the European Investment Bank to accelerate the development and commercialization of its subsea monitoring technologies. Optics11 has secured significant growth financing, including venture capital from FORWARD.one, Value Creation Capital, SET Ventures and Join Capital and a €25 million venture debt facility from the European Investment Bank in 2026. These investments underline the confidence that both private capital and public institutions place in the company's vision, technological leadership and long-term growth potential.

Culture
Optics11 is an ambitious, R&D-driven scale-up with around 130 employees, expected to grow to approximately 180 by the end of 2026. The international team represents more than 30 nationalities, with an average age of 35, and includes many highly educated R&D specialists and an experienced commercial team. Together, they share an entrepreneurial mindset and a passion for developing technologies that make a real-world impact. Innovation, curiosity and the willingness to challenge established technologies are deeply embedded in the company's culture.

The company operates at the intersection of research, engineering and commercialization, offering professionals the opportunity to work on technologies that are not only technically groundbreaking but also increasingly relevant in today's world. From safeguarding Europe's critical infrastructure and supporting defense capabilities to enabling safer offshore energy production, the innovations developed in Amsterdam have global reach and meaningful impact. 

Working at Optics11 means being part of an organization where advanced science meets entrepreneurship. Multidisciplinary teams of physicists, engineers, software developers and commercial specialists work closely together to transform scientific breakthroughs into practical solutions that solve real-world challenges. For professionals who are energized by technological innovation, international collaboration and the opportunity to help build a fast-growing deep-tech company, Optics11 offers an environment where expertise, ambition and purpose come together. It is a place where entrepreneurial thinking is valued, where complex challenges inspire innovation, and where every contribution helps shape the future of critical infrastructure protection.