Project Manager

Damen Shipyards Group; Gorinchem; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Damen Academy

Pension scheme

Travel reimbursement

Vacation days

Job summary

Damen Offshore & Specialized Vessels, part of Damen Shipyards Group, seeks a Project Manager to lead complex shipbuilding projects from handover to delivery and warranty. You will coordinate engineering, procurement, production, testing and customer communications across global sites.

You will drive scope, schedule, budget and quality, manage risks, and ensure compliance with Damen standards. Strong English skills and willingness to travel internationally are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Shipbuilding, Naval Architecture, Marine Engineering or a comparable technical field.
• At least five years of relevant project management experience in shipbuilding, maritime engineering, defense or similar.
• Experience with multidisciplinary project teams and complex stakeholder environments.
• Strong understanding of project control: planning, budget, scope, risk, quality and contractual requirements.
• Experience with international production locations, suppliers, subcontractors and customers is an advantage.
• Affinity with defense and security projects and ability to work in a controlled, compliance-sensitive environment.

Responsibilities

• Kick off assigned projects, determine scope, and draw up project plans, deliverables, milestones and responsibilities with the project team.
• Manage full project execution: engineering, procurement, production, testing, commissioning, trials, delivery and warranty follow-up.
• Monitor progress against planning, budget, quality standards and contractual requirements; take corrective action when needed.
• Identify risks and opportunities; define mitigation actions and ensure timely escalation of issues.
• Coordinate internal and external stakeholders; ensure clear, timely, professional communication on project status and actions.
• Ensure governance processes, Damen standards and HSSEQ requirements are followed throughout the project.

Skills

Project management

Stakeholder management

Budget planning

Contract management

English proficiency

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Shipbuilding / Naval Architecture / Marine Engineering or related field

Job description

ABOUT US

Damen Offshore & Specialized Vessels (OSV) designs, builds and delivers complex maritime projects for markets such as defense & security, offshore, public transport and dredging. We operate in an international, multidisciplinary environment and work closely with customers, suppliers, subcontractors, engineering teams and shipyards around the world.

For our product group Defense & Security we are looking for a Project Manager.

• Location: Gorinchem
• Time type: Full time

THE ROLE

As a Project Manager within our Product Group Defense & Security, you are responsible for the successful execution of assigned shipbuilding projects from contract handover through delivery and warranty. You manage the project in an integrated way, ensuring control over scope, planning, budget, quality, risks, contractual obligations and stakeholder expectations.

You will work with multidisciplinary project teams and coordinate closely with Engineering, Supply Chain, Production, Site Management, Quality, Contract Management, Services, suppliers, subcontractors and customers. Many of our vessels are built at international production locations, which means you are able to operate effectively across cultures, disciplines and time zones.

KEY ACCOUNTIBILIES

• Kick off assigned projects, determine the scope of work and draw up project plans, deliverables, milestones and responsibilities together with the project team.
• Manage the full project execution process, including engineering, procurement, production, testing, commissioning, trials, delivery and warranty follow-up.
• Monitor progress against planning, budget, quality standards, contractual requirements and customer expectations, and take corrective action where needed.
• Identify project risks and opportunities, define mitigation actions and ensure timely escalation of issues that may impact time, cost, quality or scope.
• Coordinate internal and external stakeholders and ensure clear, timely and professional communication on project status, decisions, risks and required actions.
• Manage disturbances in the process and safeguard continuity in cooperation with the project team, suppliers, subcontractors and shipyards.
• Ensure that Damen standards, HSSEQ requirements, contractual obligations and applicable governance processes are followed throughout the project.
• Support customer meetings, inspections, contractual milestones, sea trials and delivery moments where required.
• Contribute to continuous improvement by capturing lessons learned and providing feedback for product, process and project execution improvements.

SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

• A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Shipbuilding, Naval Architecture, Marine Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or a comparable technical field.
• At least five years of relevant project management experience, preferably in shipbuilding, maritime engineering, defense, offshore or another complex technical project environment.
• Experience with multidisciplinary project teams and complex stakeholder environments.
• Strong understanding of project control, including planning, budget, scope, risk, quality and contractual requirements.
• Experience with international production locations, suppliers, subcontractors and customers is considered an advantage.
• Affinity with defense and security projects and the ability to work in a controlled and compliance-sensitive environment.
• Excellent communication skills in English; Dutch language skills are considered an advantage.
• Willingness to travel internationally when required.

COMPETENCIES

You are a strong organizer and natural coordinator who can bring structure to complex projects. You communicate clearly, make decisions based on facts and priorities, and keep stakeholders aligned. You are result-oriented, quality-driven and able to balance customer focus with commercial, technical and contractual boundaries. You take ownership, remain calm under pressure and are comfortable working in an international and dynamic project environment.

WHAT WE OFFER

At Damen, we invest today in the future of tomorrow—and we do this together. That’s why we continuously invest in your development, both professionally and personally, so that we keep learning and growing together. Damen offers (for a full-time position):

• A salary in line with the market and our collective labour agreement Metalektro. The exact salary will depend on your knowledge and experience.
• A dynamic international working environment focused on technology and innovation;
• At least 27 vacation days and 13 additional ADV days;
• A strong focus on professional and personal development, among others through our Damen Academy;
• An active social network with events and sports activities within the Damen Group;
• Participation in a pension scheme;
• Travel expense reimbursement for commuting between home and work.

Why join Damen Offshore and Specialized vessels?

At Damen, you’ll have the opportunity to develop yourself in an international, dynamic work environment. We offer a workplace where innovation, teamwork, and personal growth are at the forefront. Together, we’re shaping the future of the maritime industry!