Automation Architect

Van Oord; Rotterdam; Hybrid; EUR 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Travel allowance

Hybrid working (2 days from home)

Pension scheme

Health insurance option

Learning and development opportunities

Community programs

Job summary

Van Oord is seeking an Automation Architect to act as the technical owner of automation systems across the fleet. You will shape technical direction, design robust PLC, SCADA and OT solutions, and ensure reliability, security and future-readiness.

You will partner with projects and suppliers, standardize across the fleet, and oversee lifecycle from design to commissioning. The role requires strong automation expertise and travel to vessels and project locations.

Qualifications

• HBO level of education in Industrial Automation, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Maritime Officer (MAROF) or a comparable field.
• At least 10 years of relevant experience in automation and control systems, preferably in an industrial or maritime environment.
• Strong knowledge of PLC, HMI, SCADA, control engineering and OT networks.
• The ability to translate specifications into functional descriptions.
• Experience with technical projects and managing suppliers.
• Knowledge of OT cybersecurity and network architecture.
• Affinity with data analysis, simulation, virtual commissioning and AI is a plus.
• Willingness to travel to vessels, shipyards and project locations.
• Good command of the English language and a driving license B.

Responsibilities

• Take technical ownership of automation projects and improvements, from new builds to upgrades.
• Provide direction for the automation strategy and architecture across the fleet, translating needs into technical requirements and functional designs.
• Develop functional specifications and critically review designs to align stakeholders, specialists and suppliers with Van Oord's technical standards.
• Ensure OT cybersecurity and network architecture are integrated into the design.
• Drive innovation by leveraging automation, data analysis, simulation, virtual commissioning and AI to improve performance and future-readiness.

Skills

Analytical mindset

Technical ownership

Cross-functional collaboration

OT cybersecurity knowledge

Data analysis interest

Education

HBO level in Industrial Automation or related field

Tools

PLC

HMI

SCADA

OT networks

Simulation

Job description

THE POSITION

As an Automation Architect at Van Oord, you are the technical owner of various automation systems across the fleet. You determine the technical direction, translate it into concrete solutions and design systems that ensure PLC, SCADA and OT systems are reliable, secure and future-proof.

You are the technical sparring partner for colleagues, projects and suppliers. You look beyond individual systems and focus on standardization, optimization and innovation across the fleet. From design and upgrades to commissioning and lifecycle management, you oversee the bigger picture and make well-founded technical decisions.

You work with complex automation and OT systems and are able to translate technical challenges into functional specifications. You ask the right questions and provide direction to specialists and suppliers to ensure the right solutions are developed.

You will be part of the Process Control team within Electrical & Automation and work closely with Production Automation. We work in a structured and data-driven way and use technologies such as simulation, data analysis and AI to continuously improve our automation systems.

YOUR IMPACT

In this role, you translate operational and business needs into reliable, scalable and future-proof automation solutions. As an Automation Architect, you are responsible for the design, quality, development and long-term performance of automation systems throughout their entire lifecycle. You

• Take technical ownership of automation projects and improvements, from new builds to upgrades.
• Provide direction for the automation strategy and architecture across the fleet. You translate operational needs into technical requirements, system concepts and functional designs for PLC, SCADA and OT systems. You ensure that solutions are robust, standardized and designed with long-term reliability and maintainability in mind.
• Develop functional specifications, critically review designs and proposals, and ensure good alignment between internal stakeholders, specialists and external suppliers, while safeguarding Van Oord's technical standards.
• Ensure that OT cybersecurity and network architecture are an integral part of the design.
• Look ahead and drive innovation by leveraging developments in automation, data analysis, simulation, virtual commissioning and AI to identify opportunities and continuously improve the performance, efficiency and future-readiness of the Van Oord fleet.

About You

You are an independent, analytical and forward-thinking professional with a strong technical foundation in automation. You naturally take ownership, enjoy understanding how complex systems work together and are able to make and document well-founded technical decisions.

You are comfortable operating at both a strategic and technical level. You know how to assess technical solutions, ask the right questions and provide direction to specialists and suppliers towards the right solution. You enjoy working in a multidisciplinary environment and can translate complex technical topics into clear advice for both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Above all, you are curious about new technologies and continuously look for opportunities to further improve the automation systems across the fleet.

In addition, you bring

• HBO level of education in Industrial Automation, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Maritime Officer (MAROF) or a comparable field.
• At least 10 years of relevant experience in automation and control systems, preferably in an industrial or maritime environment.
• Strong knowledge of PLC, HMI, SCADA, control engineering and OT networks.
• The ability to translate specifications into functional descriptions.
• Experience with technical projects and managing suppliers.
• Knowledge of OT cybersecurity and network architecture.
• Affinity with data analysis, simulation, virtual commissioning and AI is a plus.
• Willingness to travel to vessels, shipyards and project locations.
• Good command of the English language and a driving license B.

WE OFFER

At Van Oord, you play an important role in our mission building a better world for future generations.

In addition, we offer

• A competitive salary, depending on your experience and responsibilities.
• Additional allowances for work on board or at project locations abroad.
• Travel allowance (€0.31 per km) and a home working allowance (€2.15 per day).
• 32 days of annual leave.
• Variable bonus.
• Pension scheme.
• The option to participate in a collective health insurance scheme.
• Flexible hybrid working (2 days per week from home).
• Extensive learning and personal development opportunities, including online training through GoodHabitz.
• Access to communities such as Young Van Oord, Van Oord Women and the staff association.
• Participation in sports and social activities such as ski trips, sailing weekends, cycling tours and motorcycle tours.