Principal Engineer Drive & Automation - Port Equipment

Huisman Equipment B.V.; Schiedam; On-site; EUR 49,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Bonus scheme

Health insurance

Pension plan

29 vacation days

Job summary

Huisman Equipment B.V. seeks a Principal Engineer Drive & Automation to ensure electrical and control systems of Port Equipment operate as a single integrated system. You will fuse Electrical Engineering, Control Systems and hydraulics with a system-wide view to deliver safe, reliable, cost-effective architectures.

You will lead across disciplines, define architecture, validate designs and influence standards while ensuring on-site presence at customer locations as needed.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Control Systems, Automation, Mechatronics or comparable discipline.
• 8+ years of engineering experience with complex technical systems.
• Deep knowledge of Electrical Engineering and/or Control Systems; drive/automation exposure preferred.
• Experience designing and integrating complex electrical and control systems.
• Proven ability to design automated systems and develop algorithms.
• Broad system understanding interfacing with mechanical, hydraulics and software.
• Experience in port equipment or heavy machinery is advantageous.
• Ability to make multidisciplinary system-level decisions.

Responsibilities

• Define the system architecture and ensure integration of electrical, software, mechanics and hydraulics.
• Oversee requirements, interfaces, risks and technical quality.
• Act as a technical sparring partner across engineering disciplines.
• Contribute to engineering standards and ongoing development of Drive & Automation.

Skills

Systems thinking

System-level design

Cross-disciplinary collaboration

Communication

Ownership

Education

Master's degree in EE/Control/Automation/Mechatronics

Job description

Vacancy: Principal Engineer Drive & Automation - Port Equipment who is ‘equipped for impact’

Do you want to be part of a globally operating team of innovators? Do you have what it takes to push the boundaries of lifting and handling technology? And are you ready to make an impact with meaningful, high-tech solutions? Then we might be looking for you. Find out more about our vacancy for a Principal Engineer Drive & Automation.

About our organisation

Huisman brings its many years of experience in designing and building complex heavy construction equipment to the ports and logistics sector. With solutions such as Automated Stacking Cranes (ASCs), we develop automated systems for the efficient handling and temporary storage of containers. Our Port Equipment combines heavy engineering with smart automation, reliable technology and large-scale steel structures, designed for continuous 24/7 operation.

“By building strong multidisciplinary teams, we turn ideas into robust products and successful projects.”

About the position of Principal Engineer Drive & Automation - Port Equipment

As Principal Engineer Drive & Automation, you ensure that the electrical and control systems of our complex Port Equipment operate as one fully integrated system.
You combine in-depth knowledge of Electrical Engineering, Hydraulic Engineering and Control Systems with a broad, system-level perspective. You look beyond your own area of expertise, understanding how electrical systems, controls, software, mechanics and hydraulics interact, and translate this into a safe, reliable and cost-effective system architecture.
Within our Port Equipment business, you work on complex, highly automated equipment, such as Automated Stacking Cranes (ASCs) and Rail-Mounted Gantry Cranes (RMGs). Moving seamlessly between system-level design and technical detail, you act as the technical link between the various engineering disciplines.

What do we expect of you?

You are responsible for the overall system design and system architecture, with a clear technical focus on Electrical & Control Systems. You define the system architecture, make and substantiate key technical decisions, and ensure that electrical systems, controls, software, mechanics and hydraulics come together seamlessly in a safe, reliable and cost-effective solution.
Drawing on your senior-level expertise, you act as a key technical sparring partner for engineers across different disciplines. You oversee requirements, interfaces, risks and technical quality, ensuring that designs are thoroughly validated and documented. At the same time, you actively contribute to engineering standards, best practices and the continued technical development of Drive & Automation.

Wondering if you are 'equipped for impact'?

You are:

• An experienced engineer with a strong systems-thinking mindset;
• Able to translate complex technical challenges into clear system-level decisions;
• A knowledgeable technical sparring partner who brings engineers from different disciplines together;
• Able to move confidently between technical detail and the broader system-level perspective;
• Proactive and up to date with developments in Electrical Engineering,
• Control Systems and industrial automation;
• A strong communicator, able to clearly and convincingly substantiate technical decisions;
• Customer- and results-oriented, without compromising on safety or quality;
• Practical and accustomed to taking ownership of complex technical challenges;
• Flexible and willing to occasionally work on-site at customer locations.

You have:

• A Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Control Systems, Automation Engineering, Mechatronics or a comparable technical discipline;
• At least 8 years of relevant engineering experience working with complex technical systems;
• In-depth knowledge of Electrical Engineering and/or Control Systems, preferably combined with experience in drive systems and industrial automation;
• Experience in designing and integrating complex electrical and control systems;
• Proven expertise in designing fully automated systems and developing algorithms;
• Solid knowledge of system architecture, interfaces, requirements, technical validation and system integration;
• Broad technical knowledge, enabling you to understand the interfaces with mechanical engineering, hydraulics and software;
• Experience in port equipment, material handling, heavy machinery, maritime, offshore or comparable complex machinery is a strong advantage;
• The ability to work across engineering disciplines and make multidisciplinary technical decisions at system level.

Some practical things we need you to have:

• An EU passport/valid work permit for the Netherlands;
• A good command of the English (and preferably Dutch) language verbally and in writing.

More about Huisman

We design and produce in-house and deliver our turn-key products to clients worldwide. Our clients choose us for our entrepreneurial spirit, skills, reliability, and innovative solutions. Examples? Consider our Container Handling Cranes . So, if you join Huisman make sure you are equipped for impact. In other words, surprise us, our clients and… yourself!

What do we have to offer?

• Think big and make big, all in one location. At Huisman Schiedam, both our office and production facilities are based on a single site.
• An open, informal and no-nonsense culture with short lines of communication.
• An international working environment with ample opportunities for career progression and personal development.
• An excellent benefits package tailored to your experience and qualifications.
• Depending on your experience and knowledge, the salary ranges from € 4,400 to € 7,200 gross per month based on a 40-hour working week, with scope for further progression within the scale.
• A minimum of 29 holiday days (based on full-time employment) with the option to purchase an additional 10 days.
• Participation in a collective pension scheme in line with the Wtp.
• Eligibility for a bonus scheme.
• Access to collective health insurance, with Huisman contributing as your employer.
• Take advantage of tax benefits through our bicycle scheme.
• Huisman organises sporting activities, such as a ski trip, as well as various social events, including large-scale company parties where colleagues come together and get to know each other better.

Does this sound like you?

Apply online for the position of Principal Engineer Drive & Automation using the application form at the bottom of this page. We are curious to see what kind of impact you will make.
Application deadline and process:

• Application deadline: no later than 31 October 2026. Please note: the vacancy may close earlier if a suitable candidate is found.
• Selection: we review and assess candidates on a continuous basis, including before the closing date.
• First interview: selected candidates will be invited for an initial interview.
• References: in consultation with you, we may request references from your current and/or previous employer(s).
• Further process: in addition to a second interview, the selection process may also include an online assessment and a technical test.

Still need a bit more info or looking for something that suits you better?

Please contact us via our contact form for more information or sign up for our job alert to receive details of new opportunities in your inbox.

Disclaimer for recruitment and selection agencies:

We don’t accept any unsolicited applications or CVs from recruitment and selection agencies. Proposing candidates without invitation is not appreciated and will not be considered by Huisman. Applications received are property of Huisman. We don’t appreciate acquisition and this also applies to Huisman colleagues or associated Huisman companies.