Electrical and Instrumentation Engineer

VIDA Bioenergy; Breda; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

27 days annual leave

Pension scheme

Flexible working hours

Training & development

International work environment

Competitive salary

Job summary

VIDA bioenergy, based in Breda, Netherlands, seeks an experienced Electrical & Instrumentation Engineer to lead E&I across bioenergy projects and assets, focusing on electrical power systems, grid integration, and installation safety.

You will guide multidisciplinary teams, define standards, mentor engineers, and interface with EPCs to ensure quality, schedule, and cost adherence while driving innovations for biogas production and energy output.

Qualifications

• Master’s or Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Power Engineering, or related field.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in E&I engineering in industrial or energy sectors.
• Proven experience in a lead or senior engineering role, managing technical scope and teams.
• Strong expertise in Electrical power systems (LV/MV/HV), Grid integration and energy generation systems.
• Familiarity with Dutch, UK and EU E&I standards and requirements.
• In-depth knowledge of ATEX and electrical safety in hazardous environments.
• Experience with engineering and analysis tools ETAP, EPLAN, AutoCAD.
• Strong understanding of project stage-gate processes and engineering governance.
• Excellent leadership, stakeholder management, and communication skills.
• Willingness to travel across Europe; Fluent in English; Dutch required.

Responsibilities

• Act as technical authority for E&I across projects and assets.
• Define and implement E&I standards, specifications, and best practices.
• Ensure compliance with IEC, NEN, ATEX, CE and grid operator requirements.
• Lead E&I input in HAZOPs, electrical safety studies, and PSSR reviews.
• Drive safety-by-design principles in electrical installations; hazardous environments.
• Identify and evaluate innovative electrical and automation technologies.

Skills

Electrical power systems

Grid integration

Leadership

Project governance

English fluency

Education

Master's or Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Power Engineering, or related field

Tools

ETAP

EPLAN

AutoCAD

Job description

Are you an experienced E&I Engineer with at least 10 years of expertise, looking for a challenging role with direct impact and international scope? At VIDA, a company committed to driving sustainable bioenergy solutions, we are seeking an Electrical & Instrumentation Engineer to join The VIDA Project Management & Engineering team. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to a growing business and organization at the forefront of the energy transition, where sustainability, circularity and innovation are key drivers of our success.

Why choose VIDA?

VIDA is a leader in bioenergy solutions, specializing in the sustainable transformation of biomass into renewable energy. VIDA is developing an asset base in The Netherlands, United Kingdom, and potentially other European countries. With a clear focus on sustainability, we provide innovative solutions that support the global shift towards renewable energy sources. At VIDA, our core values: Passion, Innovation, Integrity, Collaboration, and Responsibility shape everything we do.

Working with us means joining a dynamic, diverse, and inclusive workplace where growth, teamwork, and making a meaningful impact are at the heart of our mission. Based in Breda*, you will have the opportunity to be part of an international company that values its employees, fosters collaboration, and drives progress in renewable energy.

Your role as E&I Engineer

We are seeking an experienced and driven Electrical & Instrumentation (E&I) Engineer to join our bioenergy team. In this role, you will take technical ownership of all electrical and instrumentation aspects across our bioenergy projects and existing assets, with a strong emphasis on electrical power systems, grid integration and installation safety. You will lead the design, standardization, and implementation of E&I solutions for facilities converting organic materials into renewable energy, including biogas, biofuels, and heat/power. You will play a key role in shaping engineering strategy, driving technical excellence, and ensuring safe, reliable, and efficient plant performance.

As an E&I Engineer, you will guide multidisciplinary teams, support strategic decision-making, and act as the go-to expert for E&I topics across the VIDA bioenergy organisation. You will report

directly to the VP Projects & Engineering and functionally support project managers and operations teams.

What you’ll do

Leadership, Safety & Strategy

• Act as technical authority for E&I discipline across all projects and operating assets
• Define and implement E&I standards, specifications, and best practices across the organisation
• Ensure compliance with IEC, NEN, ATEX, CE and grid operator requirements
• Lead E&I input in HAZOPs, electrical safety studies, and PSSR reviews
• Drive safety-by-design principles in electrical installations, especially in hazardous environments
• Identify and evaluate innovative electrical and automation technologies (e.g. smart grids, energy storage)

Electrical Engineering (Primary Focus)

• Lead the design of low- and medium-voltage (LV/MV) systems, including distribution, protection, and grounding
• Oversee development of single line diagrams, load studies, short-circuit calculations, protection coordination, and cable sizing
• Take ownership of grid connection strategies, such as flexible solutions in alignment with Transmission and Distribution System Operators.
• Specify and review key equipment such as transformers, switchgear, generators, CHP units, motors, and VFDs
• Ensure electrical system integrity, robustness, reliability, maintainability, and scalability across projects
• Oversee specification and integration of field instrumentation (flow, pressure, temperature, gas quality)
• Ensure alignment between process control philosophy and electrical and instrumentation systems, as well as E&I alignment with the architecture and standards for instrumentation and control systems (PLC/SCADA/DCS)
• Support advanced control strategies to optimize biogas production, upgrading, and energy output
• Act as discipline lead during feasibility, FEED, and detailed engineering phases
• Review and approve technical deliverables, vendor documentation, and engineering packages
• Manage and mentor E&I engineers (internal and external)
• Interface with EPC contractors, vendors, and grid operators
• Oversee installation, FAT/SAT, and commissioning activities from an E&I perspective
• Ensure quality, schedule, and cost adherence for E&I scope

Operations & Continuous Improvement

• Support operations with complex troubleshooting and root cause analysis (RCA)
• Lead improvements in electrical reliability, uptime, and maintenance strategies
• Act as escalation point for critical E&I issues across assets
• Support management of change (MoC) and plant modification initiatives
• Contribute to technical due diligence for M&A activities, with focus on electrical infrastructure and automation systems

What we’re looking for

• Master’s or Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Power Engineering, or related field
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in E&I engineering in industrial or energy sectors
• Proven experience in a lead or senior engineering role, managing technical scope and teams
• Strong expertise in: Electrical power systems (LV/MV/HV preferred), Grid integration and energy generation systems
• Familiarity with Dutch, UK and EU E&I standards and requirements
• In-depth knowledge of ATEX and electrical safety in hazardous environments
• Experience with engineering and analysis tools (e.g. ETAP, EPLAN, AutoCAD)
• Strong understanding of project stage-gate processes and engineering governance
• Excellent leadership, stakeholder management, and communication skills
• Strategic, hands-on, and results-driven mindset
• Willingness to travel across Europe
• Fluent in English; Dutch required

What we offer

• A competitive salary package reflecting your experience and skills.
• A supportive and inclusive workplace that values your input and development.
• 27 days of paid annual leave.
• A good pension scheme to secure your future.
• Flexible working hours to support a healthy work-life balance.
• Development and training opportunities tailored to your career growth, e.g. into an Innovation Expert, Engineering Management, Project Management or Operations Management role.
• A vibrant, international work environment where your contributions will make a tangible impact.

About VIDA

VIDA is at the forefront of the global energy transition, developing sustainable bioenergy solutions that meet the evolving needs of our customers and the world. Through innovation and collaboration, we are building a cleaner, greener future.

* VIDA bioenergy has established its Central Office in Breda, Noord-Brabant in a location that is convenient to reach with public transport and by car.