Automation Engineer

Van Oord; Rotterdam; Hybrid; EUR 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary based on experience

Travel allowances

Pension scheme

Hybrid/On-site working policy

Learning and development programs

Job summary

Van Oord is seeking a Process Control Engineer to serve as the technical owner of automation within the fleet. You will shape the automation strategy for PLC, SCADA and OT systems, ensure reliability and security, and guide suppliers and internal teams.

The role involves lifecycle management, design and commissioning, and driving innovations in data analysis, simulation and AI. You will work from the Rotterdam area, travel to vessels and project locations as needed, and collaborate with the

Qualifications

• HBO level in Industrial Automation, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or related field.

Responsibilities

• Shape the automation strategy and architecture within your fleet, translating operational needs into technical requirements and designs for PLC, SCADA and OT systems.
• Take technical ownership of automation projects from new builds to upgrades and ensure alignment with Van Oord's standards.
• Safeguard reliability, cybersecurity and lifecycle of automation systems, incorporating OT security into design and testing.
• Look ahead to drive innovation using data analysis, simulation, virtual commissioning and AI to improve performance and efficiency.

Skills

PLC

HMI

SCADA

OT networks

Automation

Data analysis

AI

Project management

Cybersecurity

Travel willingness

English

Driver's license

Education

HBO level in Industrial Automation or related field

Tools

Automation software tools

Simulation

V&V methods

Job description

As a Process Control Engineer at Van Oord, you are the technical owner of the automation systems within your fleet. You set the technical direction and ensure that PLC, SCADA and OT systems are reliable, safe and future-proof.

You are a technical sparring partner for colleagues, projects and suppliers. You look beyond individual systems and drive standardisation, optimisation 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 know how to translate technical challenges into practical, future-oriented solutions. You are not expected to do everything yourself; you understand what is needed, ask the right questions and guide specialists and suppliers in the right direction.

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

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 fit together and are able to make 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 guide specialists and suppliers towards the right outcome. You enjoy working in a multidisciplinary environment and can translate complex technical topics into clear recommendations for both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

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

In addition, you bring:

• HBO level of working and thinking in Industrial Automation, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, MAROF or a comparable field.
• At least 5 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.
• 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 licence B.

At Van Oord, you will play an important role in our mission: building a better world for future generations. In addition, we offer:

• A competitive salary based on your experience and responsibilities.
• Additional allowances for working on board or at project locations abroad.
• Travel allowance (€0.31 per km) and home office allowance (€2.15/day).
• 32 leave days per year.
• Variable bonus.
• Pension scheme.
• Optional collective health insurance.
• Flexible hybrid working policy (2 days/week from home).
• Extensive learning and personal development opportunities, including online courses via GoodHabitz.
• Access to communities such as Young Van Oord, Van Oord Women, and the staff association.
• Participation in sports and social events, e.g., winter sports, sailing weekends, cycling tours, and motorcycle trips.

In this role, you translate operational and business needs into reliable, scalable and future-proof automation solutions. As the technical owner of automation within your fleet, you are responsible for the quality, development and long-term performance of these systems throughout their lifecycle. You:

• Shape the automation strategy and architecture within your fleet. You translate operational needs into technical requirements, system concepts and functional designs for PLC, SCADA and OT systems, ensuring solutions are robust, standardised and designed for long-term reliability and maintainability.
• Take technical ownership of automation projects and improvements, from newbuilds to upgrades. You guide technical decision-making, challenge designs and proposals, and ensure alignment between internal stakeholders, specialists and external suppliers while safeguarding Van Oord's technical standards.
• Safeguard the reliability, cybersecurity and lifecycle of automation systems within your fleet. You ensure that OT cybersecurity and network architecture are an integral part of the design and that systems are properly tested, commissioned, documented and integrated into the wider vessel environment.
• 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 Van Oord's fleet.

You bring a helicopter view while staying close enough to the technology to understand its complexity and make well-founded decisions.