Principal Engineer Foundation

Heerema Marine Contractors; Leiden; On-site; EUR 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus plan

13th month salary

Holiday allowance 8%

Pension plan (gross scheme)

30 days annual leave (+10 extra days)

Gym access

Friday social events

Leiden office

Job summary

Heerema Marine Contractors seeks a Principal Engineer - Foundation Engineering to lead the development and execution of offshore foundation projects. You will act as a technical authority and strategic advisor, shaping technology strategy while delivering value across design, execution, and partnerships.

You will collaborate with cross-functional teams, translate complex engineering challenges into business insights, and champion continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Monopile foundation, installation, and offshore geotechnical engineering expertise.
• Experience managing high-impact technology scopes and development programs.
• Ability to translate deep technical challenges into business-relevant advice and innovations.
• Strong commercial awareness and budget management with stakeholder communication.

Responsibilities

• Lead safe, validated execution of offshore foundation projects in yards and offshore.
• Provide expert technology advice to management on complex engineering challenges.
• Define and deliver development and innovation initiatives to strengthen long-term capabilities.
• Manage budgets for assigned engineering scopes and development programs.
• Evaluate technical solutions considering commercial position, risk, and industry standards.
• Act as an industry-recognized expert in offshore foundation technologies.
• Align technological directions with industry partners and represent Heerema in relevant forums.
• Identify alternative technologies and propose innovative engineering approaches.
• Monitor readiness in strategic technology areas and address capability gaps.

Skills

Monopile foundation expertise

Offshore geotechnical engineering

Budget management

Stakeholder communication

Fluent English

Technology leadership

Continuous improvement

Education

MSc or PhD in Civil/Geotechnical/Structural/Mechanical Eng

Job description

Lead groundbreaking offshore foundation projects that set new industry standards

Your role in the story

As a Principal Engineer - Foundation Engineering, you are a recognized technical authority and strategic advisor, acting as an ambassador for technology within and beyond Heerema Marine Contractors. You thrive at the intersection of engineering, innovation, and business strategy. Through leadership in design, execution, and thought leadership, you deliver added value while safeguarding and enhancing Heerema Marine Contractors technical reputation in the offshore industry. You will be working next to the lead discipline engineering of the foundation department.

What you will be working on

• Lead the safe and validated execution of offshore installation foundation and procedures, both in fabrication yards and offshore environments.
• Provide expert technology advice to Heerema and HMC management on complex, cross-disciplinary engineering challenges.
• Define and deliver development and innovation initiatives that strengthen our long-term capabilities.
• Manage approved budgets related to assigned engineering scopes and development programs.
• Evaluate and recommend technical solutions considering our commercial position, risk appetite, reliability standards, and industry reputation.
• Act as a company and industry-recognized expert in offshore foundation technologies and related disciplines.
• Align technological directions with industry counterparts and represent us in relevant forums and partnerships.
• Identify alternative technologies and propose creative engineering approaches that challenge conventional thinking.
• Monitor our readiness in strategic technology areas, identify capability gaps, and initiate appropriate interventions.
• Supervise external technical subcontract scopes, ensuring alignment with our strategic goals.
• Inform HMC management of technology outcomes and provide visibility on the impact and opportunities of key initiatives.

Key ingredients for success

• MSc or PhD in Civil, Geotechnical, Structural, or Mechanical Engineering.
• Proven expertise in monopile foundation, installation, and offshore geotechnical engineering.
• Extensive experience in managing high-impact technology scopes and development programs.
• Ability to translate deep technical challenges into business-relevant advice and innovations.
• Strong commercial awareness, budget management skills, and stakeholder communication capabilities.
• Fluent in English, with the ability to lead both technical content and cross-functional alignment.
• A personal commitment to technology excellence, continuous improvement, and knowledge sharing.

Your future colleagues

Join a team where supervisory and coaching skills shine, providing invaluable guidance to less experienced engineers. You'll be part of a group that shares your ambition to work offshore on our vessels, travel overseas, or collaborate in our various offices around the globe. Here, every day brings new opportunities for adventure and professional growth! Of course you are curious to meet us as well!

Your Foundation for Success

At our core, we champion an entrepreneurial spirit and a relentless pursuit of growth. We seek individuals who excel in personal development, seize opportunities where others see challenges, and turn them into success. Whether you're a creative problem-solver, an ambitious go-getter, or someone who thrives in collaboration, we cultivate a culture of passion, dedication, and continuous improvement. Personal leadership and initiative are non-negotiable: you own your growth and the impact you make. If you tackle challenges with a creative yet practical mindset, drive goals with determination, and add value to diverse teams, you'll thrive with us. Together, we create impact and drive meaningful change, always focused on results.

Here’s why people love working with us

• Strong compensation & benefits, including an annual bonus plan tied to company performance;
• bonus basis = your annual gross salary + 13th month + 8% holiday allowance;
• Future-proof pension: gross scheme covering base + 13th month + holiday allowance, with no mandatory contribution up to €72.488,52.
• 30 days off to recharge, with the option to buy 10 extra days;
• Free access to our in-house gym, including fitness classes;
• Activities to connect with colleagues (e.g., our Friday-afternoon get-together);
• A modern and easily accessible office in Leiden.