VLIZ recruits: Marine Robotics Technician – Integration & Optimisation

VLIZ; Oostende; Hybride; EUR 48 000 - 62 000; Plein temps

Avantages offerts par ce poste

Holiday allowance

End of year bonus

Meal vouchers (€8/day worked)

Hospitalization insurance

Bicycle allowance

Free public transport between home and

Bike leasing

Flexible hours

Résumé du poste

VLIZ seeks a hands-on survey engineer to join the Marine Robotics Centre in Ostend, working on the USV Gobelijn and associated sensors. You will translate scientific goals into robust marine operations, maintain and improve robotic systems, and support field deployments, with a strong emphasis on safety and reliability.

You will collaborate with scientists, operators and project leaders, developing practical solutions while documenting configurations and procedures.

Qualifications

• A qualification in engineering, mechatronics, electronics, electromechanics, automation, computer engineering or related technical field.
• Strong practical and analytical problem-solving skills and a systematic approach to diagnosing technical problems.
• Willingness to work with complex technical systems, preferably involving a combination of mechanical, electrical, electronic and software components.
• The ability to work independently while also collaborating closely with operators, scientists and project leaders.
• A strong awareness of safety, reliability and maintainability, particularly when modifying or operating equipment in a marine environment.
• Good organisational and documentation skills, including maintaining clear records of configurations, modifications, tests and procedures.
• Good digital skills and the ability to learn unfamiliar software, communication protocols, control systems and technical tools.
• A good command of spoken and written English; knowledge of Dutch is an advantage.
• A driving licence B and willingness to travel and occasionally participate in field and sea operations.

Responsabilités

• Maintain, troubleshoot and improve marine robotic systems, focusing on USV Gobelijn and payloads.
• Integrate sensors, payloads and auxiliary equipment with robotic platforms across mechanical, electrical, and software aspects.
• Develop and test adaptations for scientific missions to extend system capabilities.
• Support field and sea operations from preparation to deployment and troubleshooting.
• Translate scientific and operational requirements into practical technical solutions with safety and reliability in mind.
• Improve reliability, maintenance and usability through documentation and configuration management.
• Contribute to broader technical infrastructure for marine robotics and share knowledge with the team.

Connaissances

Hands-on engineering

Problem solving

Independent work

Safety awareness

Documentation

Digital skills

English proficiency

Driving licence B

Formation

Engineering/Mechatronics/Electronics/Electromechanics/Automation/Computer Engineering or related field

Outils

Linux

Networking

CAD

Serial communications

Ethernet

NMEA2000

CAN

Python

Description du poste

Are you a technical talent with a passion for marine innovation? Join the VLIZ Marine Robotics Centre and help push the boundaries of marine research with state-of-the-art autonomous vessels and monitoring systems.
The VLIZ Marine Robotics Centre is pushing boundaries to innovate measurement techniques and to facilitate the adoption of autonomous marine systems in marine research and in the blue economy. In our research and innovation projects, we use survey grade marine autonomous/uncrewed systems (MAS) (e.g. AUV, USV’s, Gliders) and oceanographic moorings to
acquire high-resolution measurements of the water column, currents, waves and the seafloor. VLIZ also acquired a state-of-the-art long-range Unmanned Surface Vehicle (length 9 m), which is deployed in our research and innovation projects. To strengthen the capacity of the engineering and operational team of the Marine Robotics Centre, VLIZ is hiring a survey engineer (m/f/x).

OUR OFFER

• We offer you a challenging job in the dynamic and international environment of the InnovOcean Campus in Ostend. You will be mainly working in our Marine Station Ostend (MSO), 10-minute walk from the InnovOcean Campus.
• A contract for indefinite duration and a competitive remuneration package based on the candidate's qualifications and experience according to the salary scales set forth by the Flemish Government on 01-01-2009.
• Additional benefits: holiday allowance, end of year allowance, meal vouchers (€8 per day worked), hospitalization insurance, bicycle allowance, free public transport between home and work and the option of bike leasing.
• A good work-life balance through a generous leave package and flexible working hours within a 38-hour working week.
• The possibility to work partly from home (meaning from your legal home address in Belgium) after an induction period (max. 2 days/week).
• Opportunities for personal development (training).

YOUR TASKS

You will join the operational and engineering team of the Marine Robotics Centre, with a primary focus on the safe, efficient and effective operation of USV Gobelijn. You will be responsible for turning scientific and technical objectives into well-prepared and successfully executed marine operations. In this regard, you will be involved in the technical integration, optimisation,
maintenance and continued improvement of our marine robotic systems and sensors. Rather than building robots from scratch, you will work with the systems we already have and actively explore ways to make them more capable, reliable and performant for scientific research. Your responsibilities will include:

• Maintain, troubleshoot and improve our marine robotic systems, with a particular focus on USV Gobelijn, its payloads and supporting infrastructure;
• Integrate and configure sensors, payloads and auxiliary equipment with our robotic platforms, covering mechanical, electrical, communication and software aspects where relevant;
• Develop and test adaptations for specific scientific missions, pushing existing systems beyond standard configurations and operating modes to achieve capabilities that are not available out of the box;
• Support field and sea operations, including system preparation, commissioning, deployment, testing and technical troubleshooting during missions;
• Work with scientists, project leaders and operators to translate scientific and operational requirements into practical technical solutions, balancing capability, reliability, safety and available resources;
• Improve the reliability, maintainability and usability of our systems, including technical documentation, configuration management, preventive maintenance and lessons learned from operations;
• Contribute to the development of the wider technical infrastructure supporting marine robotics, such as communications, networking and remote-operation systems, and share your knowledge with the operational team.

For each function, VLIZ considers enthusiastic involvement, service minded, excellent professionalism and integrity as important characteristics.

YOUR PROFILE

We are looking for a hands-on engineer or technically skilled hands-on attitude who is interested in marine robotics and enjoys getting more out of existing technology. You dispose of:

• A qualification in engineering, mechatronics, electronics, electromechanics, automation, computer engineering or a related technical field, or equivalent relevant professional experience;
• Strong practical and analytical problem-solving skills and a systematic approach to diagnosing technical problems;
• Willingness to work with complex technical systems, preferably involving a combination of mechanical, electrical, electronic and software components;
• The ability to move comfortably between hands-on practical work and engineering-level analysis;
• The ability to work independently while also collaborating closely with operators, scientists and project leaders;
• A strong awareness of safety, reliability and maintainability, particularly when modifying or operating equipment in a marine environment;
• Good organisational and documentation skills, including the ability to maintain clear records of configurations, modifications, tests and procedures;
• Good digital skills and the ability to learn unfamiliar software, communication protocols, control systems and technical tools;
• A good command of spoken and written English. Knowledge of Dutch is an advantage;
• A driving license B and willingness to travel and occasionally participate in field and sea operations.

Having one or more of the following experiences are considered an advantage:

• Experience with USVs, AUVs, ROVs or other autonomous or remotely operated systems;
• Seagoing experience and qualifications (both STCW and recreational);
• Experience integrating marine sensors and payloads, such as sonar, GNSS, INS, ADCPs, CTDs, cameras or other scientific instruments;
• Experience with embedded systems, automation, control systems or robotics;
• Experience with Linux, networking, CAD, serial communications, Ethernet, NMEA2000, CAN, or similar technologies;
• Experience with Python, or other programming or scripting languages;
• Experience with electrical systems, electronics, instrumentation or mechanical systems;
• Experience with marine communications and remote-operation infrastructure;
• Experience with power management, batteries or energy systems;
• Experience performing system integration, commissioning and acceptance testing;
• Experience working in a marine, offshore, scientific or other field environment;
• Experience with data acquisition, sensor configuration and data quality control;
• Familiarity with QHSE procedures, risk assessments and operational documentation.

ABOUT US

Over the last 25 years, the Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ) has become a knowledge institution indispensable to the marine research landscape. What started as an institute focusing on science support, has evolved into a national and international point of contact for marine research. VLIZ initiates and carries out multidisciplinary research and supports marine experts by providing
research infrastructure, data, information and knowledge. VLIZ supports the blue economy and reaches out to a broad public. VLIZ further broadens its marine horizons and aims at becoming a world player in the field of marine and coastal research.
A stimulating working environment forms the base of our flourishing knowledge institute. The wellbeing of our employees comes first. VLIZ is looking for colleagues who, with their passion and knowledge, want to strengthen our growing institute and face the blue challenges of the future.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

For more information concerning this vacancy, please contact Kobus Langedock: [e-mail] or [phone].

VLIZ promotes equality and diversity in the workplace. You will be recruited based on competencies. Qualities of people are decisive, regardless of gender, religion, ethnic origin, age, sexual orientation or any disability.
Do you have a disability? Please attach a document to your application so that we can adapt our selection procedure where necessary. This information will be handled with discretion.

PROCEDURE

Based on the received cover letters and CV’s, a select group of candidates will be invited for a job interview. You will be informed by email. The job interviews take place in the offices of VLIZ or online on Thursday, October 22nd.