Robotics / Mechantronics Engineer - Autonomous Systems

885 Damen Naval B.V.; Vlissingen; On-site; EUR 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

8% holiday pay

27 holidays and 13 ADV days

Travel allowance 23 cents/km

PME‑pension with 60% employer

Profit sharing

Work from home up to two days/week

Bike plan

Job summary

Damen Naval seeks a Robotics/Mechatronics Engineer to strengthen the Research, Development & Innovation team. You will develop, integrate, test, and validate autonomous systems for maritime applications, focusing on navigation, obstacle detection, decision-making, and communication.

Experience in defence/maritime autonomy is preferred; proficiency in Python, C++, and MATLAB/Simulink is advantageous. Flexible work options and a strong security screening are part of the process.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Robotics/Mechatronics or related discipline with 3–5 years of relevant experience.
• Alternatively, Bachelor’s degree with 5–7 years of relevant experience.
• Strong knowledge of autonomous-system concepts and engineering practices.
• Experience in defence/maritime autonomous systems preferred.
• Proficiency in Python, C++, MATLAB/Simulink.
• Familiarity with sensors (radar, lidar, sonar, cameras) and data processing.
• Problem solving, proactive hands-on approach.
• Pre-employment security screening is required.

Responsibilities

• Design autonomous above-water and underwater systems for maritime environments.
• Integrate algorithms for autonomous navigation and obstacle avoidance using ML and CV.
• Integrate radar, lidar, sonar, and cameras to support navigation and awareness.
• Conduct testing, simulations, and validation of autonomous systems.
• Ensure compliance with maritime regulations and standards.
• Analyze and resolve technical challenges during development and deployment.

Skills

Autonomous systems

Robotics

Mechatronics

Python

C++

MATLAB/Simulink

Education

Master’s degree in Robotics/Mechatronics or related discipline

Bachelor’s degree with 5–7 years of relevant experience

Tools

Python

C++

MATLAB/Simulink

Job description

We offer you an Ocean of Possibilities. Join our family. About us Hop aboard Damen Naval; the naval division of the family-owned Damen Shipyards Group, where 12,000 professionals work worldwide. Damen Naval delivers advanced naval vessels to clients all over the globe. By implementing the most innovative technological developments in practice, we continue to push the boundaries of the shipbuilding industry. You can be part of our team! Are you ready for duty?

We are seeking a Robotics/Mechatronics Engineer

The role Currently, we are seeking a Robotics/Mechatronics Engineer to strengthen our Research, Development & Innovation department. In this role, you will contribute to the development, integration, testing, and validation of advanced autonomous and automated systems for maritime applications. You will work on innovative solutions for autonomous navigation, obstacle detection and avoidance, decision‑making, situational awareness, and communication. Using technologies such as machine learning, computer vision, radar, lidar, sonar, and camera systems, you will help ensure that autonomous platforms can operate reliably and safely in complex maritime environments.

Key accountabilities

• Design autonomous above-water and underwater systems that can operate effectively and safely in maritime environments.
• Integrate and refine algorithms for autonomous navigation, obstacle detection and avoidance, and decision‑making, using machine learning and computer vision techniques.
• Integrate sensors such as radar, lidar, sonar, and cameras to support navigation and situational awareness.
• Conduct testing, simulations, and validation activities to assess the safety, reliability, and performance of autonomous systems under different conditions.
• Ensure compliance with applicable maritime regulations and standards for autonomous systems.
• Analyse and resolve technical challenges that arise during the development, integration, and deployment of autonomous systems.

Skills & experience

• Master’s degree in Robotics, Mechatronics or another relevant technical discipline, combined with at least three to five years of relevant experience, or a Bachelor’s degree combined with at least five to seven years of relevant experience.
• Strong knowledge of autonomous-system concepts, technologies, and engineering practices.
• Experience in the development and integration of autonomous systems, preferably within a Defence / maritime environment.
• Affinity with software development and programming, preferably using Python, C++, MATLAB/Simulink, or similar engineering tools.
• Familiarity with one or more of the following areas:
• Mechatronic systems
• Robotics and autonomous systems
• Automation and control systems
• Sensor integration and data processing
• Navigation and guidance systems
• System engineering
• Modelling and simulation
• Verification and validation
• Knowledge of technologies related to autonomous navigation, sensor integration, machine learning, computer vision, and communication systems.
• A proactive and hands‑on approach, combined with strong analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Excellent antecedents as a pre‑employment security screening are a standard part of the recruitment procedure.

Benefits

• A competitive salary and 8% holiday pay.
• 27 holidays and 13 ADV days.
• Travel allowance of 23 cents per kilometre.
• PME‑pension arrangement with an employer contribution of 60%.
• Profit sharing based on company results.
• Flexibility to work from home up to two days a week.
• Additional benefits including a bicycle plan and company fitness.

We have 35 shipyards on five different continents and operates in more than 100 countries. We are still growing and that gives you options. You contribute to this growth while benefitting from the diverse development and career opportunities that our company offers. We will continue to challenge you. With our extensive portfolio of products and solutions you will never get bored and never stop learning. We offer you a world of possibilities. Working at Damen means contributing to the highest quality in shipbuilding, with an eye to the future and future generations. We want to make the world a better place by becoming the most sustainable maritime solution provider. For that, we need you. Become part of our family. We are Damen. We’re a family company that has been building ships for almost 100 years. However, our focus is not on the past, however – we’re looking forward. Our ambition is to become the most sustainable and connected maritime solutions provider there is. To achieve this, we combine digital technology with our philosophy of standardised shipbuilding to offer a portfolio of services that takes care of vessels throughout the entire lifecycle. Working at Damen offers the best of several worlds. Active in more than 100 countries, with over 30 shipyards, we are internationally renowned for quality. And we are still growing, still innovating. Which means we will continue to challenge you. You will never stop learning, and you will never get bored – we promise you that. We offer you an ocean of possibilities. Join our family.