Field Operations Specialist

Lobster Robotics; Den Haag; On-site; EUR 52,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Market-conforming salary

30 vacation days

Harbour location Scheveningen

Job summary

Lobster Robotics is seeking a Field Operations Specialist to bridge our R&D lab and open water. You will organize field tasks, ensure Scout drones leave the factory in peak condition, and maintain the supporting infrastructure.

A hands-on, technically versatile profile with MBO/HBO grounding is ideal for this role. Based in the Netherlands, Scheveningen harbor, you will lead field testing, FAT/SAT validation, and data collection to improve models.

Qualifications

• MBO/HBO foundation required.
• Strong communication and client-facing skills essential.
• Willingness to travel abroad occasionally.
• Valid driving license.

Responsibilities

• Lead organizer for all field activities outside the workshop.
• Development Testing: Validating new software and hardware features in real‑world conditions.
• Acceptance Testing: FAT/SAT to verify drones meet internal specs and site tests for environment-specific performance.
• Infrastructure Management: Maintaining fleet of vehicles and support vessels.
• Prototyping & Support: Building test rigs and customizing vehicle setups for R&D and Product Engineering.
• Data Collection: Gathering field data during fleet downtime to improve models and algorithms.
• Operations: Occasionally acting as an operator during high‑profile demos or pilot projects.
• QA: Develop standardized test protocols and increase FAT coverage.
• Process Optimization: Streamline complexity and reduce lead times for quality checks.
• Continuous Improvement: Document defects and provide feedback to production and development teams.
• Product Lifecycle: Update quality standards as Scout platform evolves.
• Manuals: Maintain and expand documentation for Scout and peripherals.

Skills

Strong communicator

Punctual

Client-facing attitude

Professional discipline

Driving license

Education

MBO/HBO foundation

Job description

We’re hiring a Field Operations Specialist to serve as the bridge between our R&D lab and the open water. You will be responsible for organizing and executing a broad range of field tasks, ensuring every Scout drone leaves the factory in peak condition, and maintaining the infrastructure that makes our operations possible.

Whether you’re building a custom test rig, piloting a drone for a high‑stakes demo, or optimizing our quality control processes, your work ensures our technology is reliable, scalable, and ready for the deep.

About Us

Lobster Robotics engineers autonomous underwater vehicles for precision seabed mapping. Our technology delivers millimeter‑scale data for offshore energy and the security of critical underwater infrastructure. In the past year, we expanded to a team of 16 and shifted from prototyping to operational deployment. We combine research depth with field pragmatism, building systems that work in the real world. Backed by strong traction from the Dutch Navy and increasing involvement in NATO trials, we’re entering a phase of rapid scaling. We are looking for passionate team members who can independently shape and deliver the next generation of underwater perception and mapping technology.

At Lobster Robotics, we care deeply about making a positive impact. By replacing large, fuel‑guzzling vessels with our autonomous tech, we significantly reduce CO2 emissions during every mission. Furthermore, the seabed maps we create help scientists and decision‑makers protect and restore marine ecosystems. Our robots also monitor vital underwater infrastructure—such as offshore wind farm cables—ensuring they remain safe and functional. When you join Lobster, you’re part of that mission.

Who We Are Looking For

We are looking for a technical all‑rounder who combines a “fixer” mindset with professional discipline. With an MBO/HBO foundation, you have the practical skills to maintain our fleet and ensure our products meet the highest standards.

This role demands punctuality and a high degree of reliability; our partners and international teams depend on you being mission‑ready. You are a strong communicator, capable of translating technical challenges into clear updates for the team (internal) and professional service for our partners (external). You are comfortable representing Lobster Robotics on‑site and abroad, often serving as the face of the company during high‑stakes deployments.

The Essentials

• Valid driving license and a “rain or shine” work ethic.
• Professional, client‑facing attitude with clear communication skills.
• Travel‑ready for occasional work abroad.
• A boating license or a love for the water is a big plus!

Team Values

For us, three things are essential: clarity, creative thinking, and safety. If something doesn’t go as planned, no worries—just be open about it, find a new way to solve it, and always keep safety front and center. If you share these values, you’ll fit right in.

What You Will Be Doing

As a Field Operations Specialist, your main responsibilities will involve:

1. Field Operations & Testing

You are the lead organizer for all activities outside the workshop. This includes:

• Development Testing: Validating new software and hardware features in real‑world conditions.
• Acceptance Testing: Executing Factory Acceptance Tests (FAT) to ensure drones meet internal specs and Site Acceptance Tests (SAT) to verify performance in specific environments.
• Infrastructure Management: Maintaining our fleet of vehicles and support vessels (e.g., RHIB).
• Prototyping & Support: Building test rigs and customizing vehicle setups to support R&D and Product Engineering.
• Data Collection: Gathering field data during fleet downtime to improve our models and algorithms.
• Operations: Occasionally acting as an operator during high‑profile client demos or pilot projects.

2. Quality Assurance (QA)

You will play a pivotal role in professionalizing our production standards:

• Standardization: Developing standardized test protocols and increasing FAT coverage.
• Process Optimization: Collaborating with leadership to streamline complexity and reduce lead times for quality checks.
• Continuous Improvement: Performing FATs during production, documenting defects, and identifying trends to provide feedback to the production and development team.
• Product Lifecycle: Updating and maintaining quality standards as the Scout platform evolves.
• Manuals: Maintaining and expanding documentation for the Scout and its peripherals.

The Team

You will be joining a focused R&D team of passionate hard workers with a deep interest in complex technology and exploring the underwater unknown.

What makes working at Lobster rewarding is the speed at which you see results. Because we are a small, agile team, an improvement designed today could be tested in the water by next week. We move fast, take responsibility seriously, and prioritize safety in everything we do.

What We Offer

• Varied, challenging work with significant personal responsibility.
• Room to explore your interests and grow your career.
• An inspiring workplace located in the Harbour of Scheveningen.
• A warm, welcoming team with an open culture.
• A market‑conforming salary and 30 vacation days.