VLIZ recruits: USV Operator – Marine Autonomous Systems

VLIZ; West-Vlaanderen; Hybride; EUR 54 000 - 72 000; Plein temps

Avantages offerts par ce poste

Meal vouchers

Hospitalization insurance

Bicycle allowance

Free public transport between home and

Bike leasing

Holiday allowance

End of year allowance

Résumé du poste

VLIZ's Marine Robotics Centre seeks a survey engineer to operate USV Gobelijn and support marine robotic missions along the Belgian coast and beyond. You will translate scientific objectives into mission plans, ensuring safety, regulatory compliance and data integrity while coordinating with scientists and engineers.

The role offers a 38-hour work week with potential home-based work after induction, and opportunities for professional development in an international environment at the InnovOcean

Qualifications

• Master Nautical Sciences or Marine Engineering or equivalent.
• Practical experience in marine, offshore, survey or field operations where safety, planning and reliable execution are essential.
• Strong safety mindset and ability to work with procedures, risk assessments and QHSE requirements.

Responsabilités

• Plan, prepare and coordinate USV missions with USV Gobelijn, translating project objectives into practical mission plans.
• Execute multi-day missions in the Belgian North Sea and beyond, including deployment, recovery, watchkeeping and data handling.
• Monitor data quality during missions, perform basic QC and ensure proper documentation and archiving of data and metadata.
• Ensure regulatory compliance, including permits and documentation and adherence to maritime and operational requirements.
• Contribute to operations with other marine robotic systems when required.

Connaissances

Safety mindset

Operational decision-making

Communication skills

Independence

English proficiency

Formation

Master Nautical Sciences or Marine Engineering

Description du poste

Join us and become part of a passionate team advancing marine robotics, unlocking new insights into our oceans through state-of-the-art autonomous technologies.
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, which are in line with the prevailing legislation. Together with the team, your responsibilities will include:

• Plan, prepare and coordinate USV missions with USV Gobelijn, translating project objectives into practical mission plans and covering operational, technical, logistical, administrative and regulatory aspects;
• Execute multi-day missions in the (Belgian part of the) North Sea and beyond, including deployment, recovery, watchkeeping, monitoring of vehicle and payload systems, and dayto-day operational and support management;
• Monitor the quality of acquired data during missions, perform basic quality control and processing, and ensure that data and associated metadata are properly documented and archived;
• Ensure operational and regulatory compliance, including preparation of permits and documentation (e.g. CONOPS, Risk assessment, etc.) and maintaining a high standard of compliance with applicable maritime and operational requirements;
• Continuously improve operational procedures, checklists, risk assessments and technical setup based on experience from missions;
• Contribute to operations with other marine robotic and observation systems when required, including AUVs, gliders and marine sensors.

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

YOUR PROFILE

We are looking for a practical, technically minded, curious and safety-conscious marine operator who enjoys turning complex plans into successful operations. You do not need to be an experienced USV pilot already: we value operational judgement, technical aptitude and a willingness to learn at least as highly as experience with a particular platform. You have

• A professional or higher-education qualification in a relevant maritime, technical or engineering field (e.g. Master Nautical Sciences or Marine engineering), or equivalent relevant professional experience;
• Practical experience in marine, offshore, maritime, survey or field operations, or another environment where safety, planning and reliable execution are essential;
• An interest in and aptitude for operating complex technical systems;
• A structured approach to monitoring systems, identifying anomalies and troubleshooting problems;
• A strong safety and responsibility mindset, with the ability to work systematically with procedures, risk assessments and QHSE requirements;
• The ability to work independently and make sound operational decisions, including when conditions or plans change during a mission;
• Good communication and organisational skills, allowing you to work effectively with scientists, engineers, technicians, project leaders and external partners;
• A willingness and ability to work at sea for multi-day missions, in Belgium and abroad, and to work flexible hours when operational requirements demand it;
• Good digital skills and the ability to learn new software, control systems and technical interfaces quickly;
• A basic understanding of data handling, quality control, file management and data archiving;
• A good command of spoken and written English. Knowledge of Dutch is an advantage;
• Willingness to occasionally travel for missions and deployments.

The following are considered an advantage:

• Relevant maritime qualifications, STCW training or seagoing experience.
• Experience operating USVs, ROVs, AUVs, survey vessels, drones or other remotely operated or autonomous systems;
• Experience with marine navigation, hydrographic or scientific survey operations;
• Experience with marine sensors such as sonar, GNSS, INS, ADCPs, CTDs or cameras;
• Experience with marine communications, networking or remote-control systems;
• Practical experience with mechanical, electrical or electronic troubleshooting;
• Experience with offshore or multi-day field operations;
• Familiarity with maritime regulations, permits and operational documentation;
• Experience developing or improving procedures, checklists, risk assessments or QHSE systems;
• Experience with scientific or environmental data acquisition and quality control.

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].

DOES THIS VACANCY APPEAL TO YOU?

no later than Sunday 11 October 2026

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.