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.