Recruiter
Dragana Trkulja
Recruitment Partner Consultant at Van Storm
Job summary:
Tasks: lead automation and manning strategies for smart naval vessels
Projects: advanced naval shipbuilding programs with high complexity
Company: leading European naval shipbuilder engaged in defense and research innovation
Main requirements: +5 years of experience in ship automation, naval systems, or control engineering, with a strong foundation in digital technologies and systems integration
Your opportunity
As Lead Automation Systems Engineer, you will be at the forefront of redefining how tomorrow’s naval vessels operate—with fewer crew members, greater situational awareness, and advanced digital intelligence. You will lead cross-functional research projects in automation, digital twinning, systems integration, and mission management to bring high-performance naval ships to life. This role is ideal for a systems thinker who combines deep technical knowledge with a strategic mindset, playing a key role across research, proposal, and engineering phases. You will have the chance to work with cutting-edge technology in a multidisciplinary setting, shaping next-generation naval capabilities.
What you will do
- Lead a team of specialists across research, design, proposal, and engineering activities, ensuring innovative and integrated automation solutions
- Act as a subject-matter expert in automation and systems engineering, guiding technical performance from concept through delivery
- Conduct system-level verification and validation tests during production and warranty phases
- Initiate and conceptualize forward-looking automation strategies aligned with future naval requirements
- Develop and review functional descriptions, technical specifications, control logic, calculations, simulations, and validation protocols
- Coordinate with subcontractors and stakeholders on automation system requirements and integration during basic engineering
- Specify, evaluate, and support the development of mission management systems, ensuring seamless hardware/software compatibility
- Support standardization and modularization of automation building blocks for future vessel designs
- Advise on project tasking, time allocation, and budget planning
- Engage in collaborative design reviews, refining tools and processes within the department
- Maintain relationships with industry partners, knowledge institutes, and defense stakeholders to support ongoing Manning & Automation programs
- Provide consultancy support for both new and existing vessels to refine automation and crewing strategies
Where you will work
This close client of ours is the leading Dutch developer and builder of marine defense systems. With a strong engineering and yard team, they are delivering world-class complex naval ships to navies around the world. In the current geopolitical climate, the organization is expanding significantly and providing excellent opportunities for professional growth.
- New technologies galore: state-of-the-art naval technology, digital twinning, virtual reality, and more!
- Well-established shipyard with a long-lasting track record, part of a global shipbuilding group
- Excellent market outlook: order book filled way into the 2030s and still more projects expected
- Cooperating with knowledgeable colleagues, learning and sharing insights
What you already have
- A bachelor’s or master’s degree in a relevant technical field, with at least 5 years of experience in automation or naval systems
- Broad and in-depth knowledge of naval vessel systems, offshore installations, or mission-critical control systems
- Strong skills in designing functional control and monitoring systems
- Knowledge of modern onboard IT architectures including service-oriented and cloud-based solutions (e.g., IaaS, SaaS, virtualization)
- Awareness of current industrial automation trends, including IIoT technologies
- Understanding of classification society rules is a plus
- Experience working on complex naval projects, ideally in collaboration with subcontractors, vendors, and academic institutions
- Independent and customer-focused with strong analytical and communication skills
- Willingness and eligibility to undergo pre-employment security screening
- Permanent EU citizenship and passport are required; candidates with dual nationality or EU (work) visas are not eligible due to defense project constraints
Your benefits
- 40 paid holidays per year for excellent work-life balance
- Covered commuting and interviewing costs
- Business Travel Insurance
- Basic Dutch course, so you will understand the Dutch jokes during the coffee break
- Access to social gatherings, lectures, and events, so you will meet like-minded friends within the Dutch Maritime Industry. We also offer you a 1-year membership of KNVTS, Royal Dutch Association of Marine Engineers.
- Housing search support and registration supported by Van Storm
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