Automation Engineer

Job description

Automation Engineer – Damen Naval

As the Automation Engineer at Damen Naval, you contribute to the development of the new Anti-Submarine Warfare Frigates (ASWF), a flagship project within European naval defence. You will design and implement automation solutions for complex onboard systems, enabling safe and efficient control and monitoring across the platform.

Working in a multidisciplinary team and in close collaboration with international partners, you ensure that all automation designs meet strict cybersecurity, safety, and military requirements – from concept to final commissioning.

Key Accountabilities

In this role, your key responsibilities will include:

• Develop functional descriptions and automation architecture for various shipboard systems in the context of the ASWF frigate.
• Design and document control logic and interfaces for PLC/SCADA-based automation, aligned with defence-grade standards and cybersecurity protocols.
• Prepare and maintain technical specifications for automation hardware and software, ensuring integration with electrical and mission systems.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders, system suppliers, and international partners to align on technical solutions and interface definitions.
• Support the development of test plans and simulation environments to validate functionality across various project stages (FAT, HAT, SAT).
• Review vendor documentation, assess compliance, and integrate their deliverables into the ship’s automation architecture.
• Contribute to the continuous development of automation standards and engineering practices within the ASWF programme and Damen Naval.

Skills & Experience

We are looking for candidates with the following qualifications:

• At least 2 years of experience in the design and implementation of complex automation systems (PLC/SCADA), preferably in the maritime or defence sector.
• Experience with systems engineering and multidisciplinary projects involving multiple stakeholders and subcontractors.
• Familiarity with cybersecurity and safety standards relevant to military or mission-critical systems is a strong asset.
• Experience working in a model-based systems engineering (MBSE) environment, preferably using the V-model.
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Technical Automation, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field.
• Excellent references, as a security screening is part of the selection process.
• Permanent EU citizenship and passport, as required by the military nature of the ASWF project. Candidates with EU (work) visa or dual EU/non-EU nationalities are not eligible.

What We Offer

At Damen Naval, we highly value our employees and support professional and personal development. Benefits include:

• A competitive salary and 8% holiday pay.
• 27 holidays and 13 ADV days.
• Travel allowance of €0.23 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.

Application & Information

If you are interested in this position, please submit your application including:

• Your CV and cover letter.
• Your (preferred) monthly gross salary based on full-time work.
• Availability (full-time / part-time / number of hours).
• Notice period / possible starting date.