Slide to meet your future colleagues
If you want to get to know our team, just look at their mugs. You’ll find the oversized one for “serious” coffee, the quirky one from a holiday, and the sleek one that means business.
Each one is unique—just like the person holding it.
We sat down with our employees, mug in hand, to ask two simple questions: “Why this mug?” and “Why this company?”
The stories were telling. It turns out, the feeling of finding that “perfect” mug—the one that just feels right—is the same feeling they have about their role here. It’s a place where their personality fits, where they feel comfortable, and where they can do their best work.
Slide to meet your future colleagues and their favorite mug. And just like our glass, watch their stories turn from dark to light as you get to know the person behind it.
Pieter Jan Haasdijk and the Found Silicon Valley Mug
Meet Pieter Jan Haasdijk, our Electronics Hardware / Firmware Engineer for almost two years now. His favorite mug has a mysterious past and it perfectly captures the no-nonsense mentality at eLstar Dynamics.
Pieter Jan, why this particular mug? “The story is surprisingly simple: I found the mug in the canteen, and I liked it. It’s the first thing I grab when I get to the office in the morning and it is usually filled with black coffee and a little sugar.”
What makes eLstar Dynamics the place for you? “The very informal way of working together in a multicultural and multidisciplinary team. You see this best at lunchtime: we drop everything, sit together in our canteen, and have lively discussions about anything—except work.”
If you had to engineer a new mug for the team, what would it look like? “It would have our logo, but no typical company dogma texts or advertising,” he says. His concept? “A person on a beach chair with a smiling face that has square sunglasses on it, and a wire coming out to a button to switch it on.”
What kind of person would be a great addition to your team? “Someone who is flexible and has an open mind. A person who doesn’t shy away from challenges. As a startup, thinking ‘out of the box’ is key to finding solutions.”
Pieter Jan’s concept for an interactive mug—complete with a switch and wires—perfectly illustrates the spirit we value at eLstar Dynamics. It’s about blending a creative mindset with practical, hands-on engineering. We are looking for ‘out of the box’ thinkers like him to help us tackle our biggest challenge: converting a working concept into a commercial product.
Sound like you? If you’re ready to tackle that challenge with us, check out our vacancies here:
Megha Nair and Her Day-One Constant.
Meet Megha Nair, our Legal and Operations Associate, who joined the team five months ago. Her favorite mug has a unique story: it was in the office long before she was. “You could say I adopted it,” she jokes. In a way, the mug chose her—it’s the one she drank from during her first onsite interview and on her first day at eLstar Dynamics, making it a “constant from day one.”
If your mug had a motto, what would it be? “‘Just keep sipping,’” Megha says. “It reflects how I think you should always keep consistent, curious and willing to try, even if the work seems daunting.”
Can you give an example of that ‘Just keep sipping’ mentality in action? “I once had to review a complex contract on a very short deadline, while also handling day-to-day queries,” she recalls. “It felt like too much at once, but my ‘Just keep sipping’ mentality helped. I broke the work into smaller steps, tackled one issue at a time, and kept calm instead of getting overwhelmed… For me, it’s about steady progress—sip by sip—until the job gets done.”
So, what’s usually in this comforting mug? “Most of the time some Turkish tea our colleague Busra has been kind enough to share with all of us at the office,” she says. “Oh, And I sometimes use the mug to water my desk plants too!”
Megha’s story is a testament to the power of steady, consistent progress. Her calm and curious approach shows how even the most daunting tasks can be managed “sip by sip.” It’s a mentality that fits perfectly within the collaborative and supportive culture at eLstar Dynamics.
Her advice for anyone thinking of applying? “Go for it! Show up as your most authentic self. If you’re someone who enjoys a good laugh, appreciates open conversations, and can balance professionalism with a relaxed vibe, let that shine through.”
Ready to find that balance? Check out our vacancies:
Chrysi Choustoulaki and Her Purr-fect Mug.
Meet Chrysi Choustoulaki, one of the newest R&D Chemical Engineers on the team, having joined in June 2025. Chrysi and her favorite mug are a perfect match: it’s covered in Greek cats, and Chrysi is Greek and loves cats. Sometimes, it’s just that simple. And as she puts it, “like a cat, it quietly keeps me company while I work”.”
Given the cat theme, we have to ask: is it milk, or something stronger? “Always coffee. Not sometimes, not usually — always. There’s always one to start the day — even before the laptop is on. Then there’s the post-lunch refill, which helps me shift back into work mode after a refreshing break spent eating and chatting with colleagues.”
You mentioned the mug keeps you company like a cat. Do any other cat-like traits sneak into your work? “I’m observant and curious,” Chrysi says. “And while I’m not meowing, I do try to bring a kind and open attitude to every interaction. I believe being polite, approachable, and ready to listen makes all the difference.”
What’s the best part about working at eLstar Dynamics? “If I had to choose one thing, it would be the atmosphere. There’s a casual, open vibe that really hugs people.”
Chrysi’s profile reveals a culture that perfectly balances the playful and the professional. It’s a place for discussing weird or interesting facts from all corners of the internet one moment, and deep, focused planning the next. It’s an environment that values colleagues who are “calm but powerful” as Chrysi describes —people with a great sense of humor who are also driven by innovation.
Her advice for anyone thinking of joining? “We don’t bite… unless you take the last cookie from the cookie box without bringing new ones.”
Ready to join the team? (Just be sure to bring new cookies.)
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Ghadeer Alkhansa and the Art of Lebanese Coffee
Meet Ghadeer Alkhansa, an R&D Chemical Engineer at eLstar Dynamics for almost two years. For Ghadeer, her coffee cup is more than an object; it’s a ritual. Her small cup, perfectly sized to be sipped slowly and savored, holds an aromatic Lebanese black coffee with hints of cardamom. It’s a connection to her roots, her family, and the culture she grew up in—a small piece of home right here in the Netherlands.
If your coffee ritual had a motto, what would it be? “In Arabic, we say ‘Ta‘a neshrab finjan ahwe,’” Ghadeer explains. “It literally translates to ‘come let’s drink a cup of coffee,’ but it means everything from casual catching up to resolving big problems and challenges together.”
How does that philosophy apply to your work with the team? “It creates a space for open communication,” she says. “It allows us to exchange ideas, clarify problems, and find solutions together. This collaborative spirit is especially valuable in a diverse environment. “The best part of my job is working with a multinational team. Everyone brings different ideas and perspectives, which makes collaboration creative and enjoyable.”
Ghadeer’s story shows how a simple ritual can foster a culture of thoughtful collaboration. It’s a reminder that great work starts with pausing, being present, and connecting with colleagues. At eLstar Dynamics, a multinational team where teamwork and ideas really matter, taking a moment for a finjan ahweh can be the first step toward the next big solution.
So, what kind of person would be a great addition to the team and share a finjan ahweh with? “A great addition would be someone curious, proactive, and open-minded,” Ghadeer says. “I value colleagues who communicate clearly, embrace challenges with positivity, and can contribute both their skills and their ideas to make the team stronger.”
Ready to help solve big challenges, one cup of coffee at a time? Check out our vacancies! Who knows, maybe we’ll be grabbing a coffee together soon.
Vincent Philippi and the Mug That Wishes It Was a Beer
Meet Vincent Philippi, an R&D Chemical Engineer who has been with eLstar Dynamics for three years and counting. His go-to mug, a long-ago birthday gift from his brother, always makes people laugh and perfectly captures the informal, positive atmosphere at eLstar Dynamics.
While the mug jokingly wishes for beer, Vincent explains its real message is a reminder not to take everything in life too seriously. This mentality proves surprisingly crucial in his role. “When results are disappointing, keeping a positive attitude and an open mind is key to finding solutions,” he says. “The mug’s humor helps keep the team spirit high, which is a must when working across disciplines. A person with a positive attitude thinks in solutions, not in problems.”
How crucial is coffee for your role? Vincent’s take is simple: “Did you ever see a car running without gas? More information is not needed.”
So, what are the coffee corner chats about? “Everything except work, varying from useless facts to the latest news,” Vincent says. He adds that because the team is so diverse in disciplines and descents, there is always something to talk about, drawing from a broad spectrum of hobbies and cultures.
If you designed the official eLstar mug, what would it be? “A color-changing mug that’s black when cold. When you pour hot liquid in, the quote ‘we have seen worse’ appears,” he says. He explains it’s a double-edged sword: the color change reflects eLstar’s product, and the quote (an inside joke) is a reminder to always put challenges in context.
Vincent’s profile paints a clear picture: eLstar is an informal, open environment where no two days are the same and humor is the fuel for innovation. As he puts it, you won’t find a more “dynamic and energetic” workplace.
His advice for anyone thinking of applying? “Just go for it, what is the worst thing that can happen?”
Laurine Renaud and the Mug That Was a Gift of Heart
Meet Laurine Renaud, an R&D Chemical Engineer at eLstar Dynamics for over a year. Her favorite mug is a daily reminder of the team’s warmth. After noticing Laurine always used plain mugs, her colleague Marie-Christine surprised her with this special one covered in hearts. “Just looking at it, I am feeling more positive,” Laurine says.
If your mug had a motto, what would it be? “’Together, we go further,’” Laurine shares. “I really like to work in a team to exchange ideas and find solutions together. You’re never alone.”
What’s the best part about working at eLstar? “For me, it’s like a second family because we are a small group and we know each other,” she says. That supportive atmosphere also creates opportunities for rapid growth. Laurine is a perfect example: “I was hired as a technician in the reliability team and because of my backgrounds in chemistry and formulation, I am in the Ink Team now!”
How does your ‘mug-mentality’ come in handy when you approach challenges when things don’t go as planned? “In science, you don’t always find the right solution right away, so it’s important to keep going, stay creative, and never give up. For me, that perseverance is fueled by the team. Having supportive colleagues who feel like a second family makes it easier to face those tough moments. That mug, a surprise gift from a coworker, is a small, daily reminder of that warmth and encouragement.
Laurine’s experience highlights a culture built on connection and growth. It’s a place where tasks are diverse, days are never the same, and coworkers feel like a second family.
Ready to find your second family? Check out our vacancies here: