Naval Architect / Marine Engineer Aquaculture & Fishing

Damen Shipyards Group; Gorinchem; On-site; EUR 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Profit-sharing

Pension plan

Vacation days 25

ADV days 13

Damen Academy

Travel allowance

Job summary

Damen Aquaculture & Fishing, part of Damen Shipyards Group, seeks a Naval Architect / Marine Engineer to design sustainable aquaculture and fishing vessels from concept to construction. You will translate client requirements into buildable plans and work with the Sales team to develop tailored technical proposals.

You will coordinate with R&D, engineering teams, suppliers, and shipyards to ensure feasibility, cost effectiveness, and on-time delivery.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Shipbuilding Engineering, Maritime Engineering, Naval Architecture, or related discipline.
• Minimum 3 years of relevant experience in ship design or naval architecture.
• Strong communication in Dutch and English, written and spoken.

Responsibilities

• Translate customer requirements into safe, buildable vessel designs.
• Develop and maintain vessel designs using 3D CAD and 2D drawings.
• Coordinate with internal teams, suppliers, and shipyards.
• Prepare technical specifications and proposals for vessel systems.

Skills

3+ years ship design

Dutch and English communication

coordination and teamwork

learning mindset

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Shipbuilding Engineering / Maritime Engineering / Naval Architecture

Tools

AutoCAD

Rhino

NUPAS-Cadmatic

Maxsurf

Siemens NX

FEM (NX)

Job description

About Us

At Damen Aquaculture & Fishing, we are dedicated to designing and delivering innovative vessels for the aquaculture and fishing industries. As a specialized business unit within Damen Shipyards, we operate from Stellendam, the Netherlands, serving customers around the world.

• Location: Stellendam
• Location: Gorinchem
• Time type: Full time

Our portfolio includes aquaculture support vessels and fishing vessels that are developed in close collaboration with our clients and built at Damen shipyards worldwide. Designed to perform reliably in demanding environments, our vessels are supported throughout their lifecycle with expert service and maintenance.

As part of the Damen Group, we contribute to sustainable, efficient, and future-ready maritime solutions. With a strong focus on customer needs, technical excellence, and teamwork, we offer an ocean of possibilities for ambitious maritime professionals.

The Role

You will become part of the team of Damen Aquaculture & Fishing, where innovation, customer focus, and collaboration are at the heart of everything we do.

As a Naval Architect / Marine Engineer, you will play a key role in shaping the next generation of sustainable aquaculture and fishing vessels. You will translate customer requirements into practical, buildable ship designs and work closely with colleagues from the Damen Sales team to develop tailored technical proposals.

From concept development through cost estimation, you will coordinate with internal and external stakeholders, including R&D, engineering teams, suppliers, regulatory authorities, and shipyards. Together, you will ensure that vessel designs are technically feasible, commercially viable, and delivered on time.

Key Accountabilities

You are responsible for providing the technical foundation for our proposals and translating customer requirements into safe, efficient, and functional vessel designs.

Your responsibilities include:

• Developing and maintaining vessel designs using 3D CAD models and 2D drawings to expand and enhance our product portfolio.
• Preparing functional descriptions and technical specifications for vessel-related systems.
• Designing vessel structures, including the integration of foundations for equipment and outfitting components.
• Creating construction plans, layouts, general arrangements, and technical diagrams.
• Performing calculations related to weight, stability, structural strength, endurance, power requirements, and vessel performance.
• Conducting feasibility studies and risk assessments of conceptual and externally developed designs.
• Preparing Requests for Information (RFIs) and Requests for Proposal (RFPs) for vessel-related equipment and systems.
• Supporting vessel approval processes with clients, classification societies, and regulatory authorities.
• Managing portfolio and project documentation, including design data, equipment information, models, and drawings.
• Coordinating design and engineering activities internally and with external engineering partners and subcontractors.
• Supporting marketing activities by providing technical input for brochures, press releases, presentations, and online content.

Skills & Experience

As an engineer, quality awareness, and a practical, hands‑on mindset come naturally to you. You are proactive, creative, and detail-oriented, with the ability to balance technical excellence and commercial awareness.

In addition, you bring:

• A bachelor’s degree in Shipbuilding Engineering, Maritime Engineering, Naval Architecture, or a related discipline.
• At least 3 years of relevant experience in ship design, naval architecture, or marine engineering.
• Strong communication skills in both Dutch and English, written and spoken.
• Proficiency in additional languages is an advantage. In particular, we welcome candidates with a working knowledge of Norwegian and/or Spanish.
• An interest in modern maritime technologies, including electrification, emissions reduction, and digital connectivity.
• A passion for improving design processes, digital tools, and data management practices.
• Experience with AutoCAD, Rhino, and NUPAS-Cadmatic. Experience with Maxsurf and/or Siemens NX (including FEM applications) is considered a plus.
• Strong planning, organizational, and coordination skills.
• A collaborative mindset and the ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams.
• An eagerness to learn, grow, and develop new skills.
• A results-oriented approach with a focus on quality and efficiency.

What We Offer

At Damen Aquaculture & Fishing, you will join an ambitious and growing team within a dynamic international environment. We offer excellent opportunities for professional development and a rewarding career in the maritime industry.

What you can expect:

• A technology-driven workplace focused on innovation and maritime excellence.
• A competitive salary aligned with your experience and expertise.
• Profit-sharing and a pension contribution.
• A minimum of 25 vacation days and 13 additional ADV days.
• Extensive opportunities for professional and personal development through the Damen Academy.
• A travel allowance.
• The opportunity to contribute to innovative and sustainable vessel designs that make a difference worldwide.
• A collaborative and informal working culture in which your ideas and initiative are valued.