Automation Engineer

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?

The role
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 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 are:

• 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.
• A 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 we will support your professional and personal development. We also provide our employees with:

• 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.

Application & information

Are you interested in this position, please submit your application including your CV and cover letter, along with an indication of:

• Your (preferred) monthly gross salary based on fulltime work.

• Availability (fulltime / part-time / number of hours).

• Notice period / possible starting date.

For more information about this vacancy or Damen Naval, please visit the Damen Naval website, the Damen Naval Career website or contact the Corporate Recruitment department via +31 118 485 000.

Please note that due to the military nature of our projects, only candidates who have permanent EU nationality can be considered for vacancies at Damen Naval. Unfortunately, we are not allowed to process candidates who (also) have a non-EU passport or nationality.

A pre-employment and security screening and investigation form part of the recruitment process.

Acquisition and introduction of candidates without a formal request is not appreciated and they will not be considered.

#LI-MM2