Geotechnical Engineer

Qabird; Gorinchem; On-site; EUR 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Travel allowance

Home office allowance

32 leave days

Variable bonus

Pension scheme

Health insurance

Flexible remote policy

Online learning Goodhabitz

Employee communities

Sport events

Job summary

Van Oord in Gorinchem is seeking a Geotechnical Engineer to deliver offshore wind projects, turning soil conditions into practical foundation solutions. You’ll work with tendering and project teams to inform decisions and drive safe, efficient installation from tender to execution.

The role requires a master’s/bachelor’s in Geo-Engineering or Offshore Engineering, 2–5 years’ experience, and hands-on use of Plaxis, GRLWEAP, and Python, plus excellent English. Travel to offshore sites is possible.

Qualifications

• Master's or Bachelor's degree in Geo-Engineering or Offshore Engineering with 2–5 years of relevant experience.
• Experience with Plaxis and GRLWEAP.
• Experience with Python or similar programming languages.
• Excellent spoken and written English.
• Creative, result-driven and strong analytical skills.
• Well-organised and able to switch between projects.

Responsibilities

• Support tender and project teams with geotechnical analyses and practical advice for offshore wind foundation installation, including pile driveability assessments and spudcan penetration studies.
• Design and assess laterally and axially loaded piles, ensuring safe, reliable and cost effective foundation solutions that meet project requirements.
• Interpret geotechnical investigation data and translate complex soil conditions into clear engineering recommendations for multidisciplinary project teams.
• Work together with engineers, project teams and external stakeholders to optimise foundation designs and installation strategies throughout all project phases.
• Contribute to research and development initiatives that improve engineering methods, develop innovative solutions and strengthen Van Oord's expertise in offshore foundation engineering.

Skills

Geotechnical engineering knowledge

Python

English proficiency

Analytical skills

Education

Master's or Bachelor's in Geo-Engineering / Offshore Engineering

Tools

Plaxis

GRLWEAP

Python

Job description

Help create the foundations for tomorrow's offshore wind farms. As a Geotechnical Engineer, you work on challenging projects where your analyses and designs directly influence safe and efficient offshore installation. From the first tender to project execution, your expertise helps turn complex soil conditions into practical engineering solutions. Together with multidisciplinary teams, you contribute to innovative projects that accelerate the energy transition while continuing to grow your own expertise.

The position

As a Geotechnical Engineer, you play a key role in delivering offshore wind projects that contribute to a more sustainable future. You provide the geotechnical expertise that helps teams make informed technical decisions for installation of wind turbines and their foundations to win tenders and achieve excellence during execution of projects.

You work closely with colleagues across engineering, tendering and project teams, combining technical knowledge with practical insight to solve complex offshore challenges. While your home base is our office in Gorinchem, you may also spend time on board one of our offshore vessels to experience how your analyses are applied in practice. Your expertise supports every stage of the project and creates the foundation for lasting impact.

Your impact

You help make offshore wind projects successful from the earliest project stages through to execution. By combining your geotechnical expertise with practical engineering knowledge, you provide advice that influences technical decisions, reduces project risks and supports safe and efficient installation. You work closely with tender and project teams, contribute to innovative solutions and help strengthen Van Oord's position as a leader in offshore energy.

Your work creates a lasting impact by delivering reliable foundations for renewable energy projects around the world.

• Support tender and project teams with geotechnical analyses and practical advice for offshore wind foundation installation, including pile driveability assessments and spudcan penetration studies.
• Design and assess laterally and axially loaded piles, ensuring safe, reliable and cost effective foundation solutions that meet project requirements.
• Interpret geotechnical investigation data and translate complex soil conditions into clear engineering recommendations for multidisciplinary project teams.
• Work together with engineers, project teams and external stakeholders to optimise foundation designs and installation strategies throughout all project phases.
• Contribute to research and development initiatives that improve engineering methods, develop innovative solutions and strengthen Van Oord's expertise in offshore foundation engineering.

YOUR WORKPLACE

You join the Tendering & Engineering department in Gorinchem, where specialists from different disciplines work together on offshore wind projects around the world. It is a collaborative environment where knowledge is shared, innovation is encouraged and engineering ideas become reality. While you are mainly based in the office, you may also spend time offshore to see your work come to life.

About you

You enjoy solving complex engineering challenges and turning technical knowledge into practical solutions. You work accurately, think ahead and feel comfortable collaborating with colleagues from different disciplines. Whether you are supporting a tender or working on a project, you stay organised and keep the bigger picture in mind. You are eager to keep learning, share your expertise and contribute to innovative offshore projects. To be successful in this role, you bring:

• A Master's or Bachelor's degree in Geo-Engineering or Offshore Engineering and between 2-5 years of relevant working experience;
• Experience with relevant software like Plaxis and GRLWEAP;
• Experience with Python or comparable programming languages;
• Excellent spoken and written English;
• Creative, result-driven and strong analytical skills;
• Well-organised and easily switches between different projects.

We offer

We offer you a position in which you will have an important contribution to our mission 'building a better world for future generations'. In addition, we offer you:

• A salary that matches your responsibilities and experience;
• Travel allowance (€0.31 per km) and home office allowance (€2,45 per day);
• 32 leave days per year;
• Variable bonus;
• Pension scheme;
• Collective health insurance (optional);
• Flexible working from home policy, 2 days a week when working on a full-time basis;
• Extensive learning and (personal) development possibilities, including a wide range of online courses via Goodhabitz;
• You can join communities, like Young Van Oord, Van Oord Women and the Van Oord staff association;
• We organise several (sport) events, e.g. winter sport, weekend of sailing, cycling and a motorcycle tour.