Senior Principal Engineer, Offshore Foundation & Innovation

Heerema Marine Contractors; Netherlands; On-site; EUR 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus plan

13th month salary

Holiday allowance

Gym access

30 days leave per year

Leiden office

Friday-afternoon social events

Modern Leiden office

Job summary

Heerema Marine Contractors is seeking a Principal Engineer - Foundation Engineering in Leiden to lead offshore foundation projects and advise on technology strategy. You will collaborate with discipline engineers, drive innovative development programs, and manage sizeable engineering scopes with a focus on safety and reliability.

The role requires MSc/PhD in a relevant field, deep expertise in monopile foundations, and strong English communication to guide cross-functional teams and external

Qualifications

• 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.
• Personal commitment to technology excellence, continuous improvement, and knowledge sharing.

Responsibilities

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

Skills

Monopile foundation

Offshore installation

Geotechnical engineering

Engineering leadership

Budget management

Education

MSc or PhD in Civil, Geotechnical, Structural, or Mechanical Engineering

Job description

Heerema Marine Contractors is seeking a Principal Engineer - Foundation Engineering in Leiden to lead offshore foundation projects and advise on technology strategy. You will collaborate with discipline engineers, drive innovative development programs, and manage sizeable engineering scopes with a focus on safety and reliability.

The role requires MSc/PhD in a relevant field, deep expertise in monopile foundations, and strong English communication to guide cross-functional teams and external