Traineeship Engineering & Estimating

Are you ready to kick-start your career in engineering and estimating? Join Van Oord’s IMPACT Traineeship, where you’ll work on real-life projects, gain hands-on experience across various engineering expertise, and contribute to innovative and sustainable solutions in the Marine Industry.

THE POSITION

As a trainee, you will rotate across various engineering expertises within Van Oord’s Offshore Energy (OFE) and Dredging & Infrastructure (DRI) business units. Over the course of 18 months, you will gain exposure to the entire project lifecycle—from tendering to execution—while actively contributing to real-world projects in both Offshore Energy and Dredging & Infra.

You’ll be assigned to various engineering expertises within the company working under the supervision of an Engineering Manager and with the support of a buddy. During this time, you gain knowledge in areas such as environmental, coastal, geotechnical, hydrodynamic, cost, mechanical, and production engineering. Through two project rotations, you’ll experience the practical side of our operations, deepening your understanding of our core processes and technical challenges.

YOUR IMPACT

As a trainee in the Engineering & Estimating department, you play a vital role in translating complex technical challenges into innovative, practical solutions that drive the success of our projects. You’ll bring fresh insights, support the digital transition, and accelerate innovation within the company.

Your expertise and curiosity will help ensure high-quality decisions across tenders and projects, enabling impactful outcomes. You'll thrive on tackling real-world engineering challenges while building a strong technical foundation.

• Collaborate with colleagues to balance technical innovation with financial feasibility.
• Develop, apply and share your knowledge to navigate complex situations and achieve impactful results.
• Stay ahead of industry developments, translating them into opportunities for today and the future.

YOUR WORKPLACE

The Engineering & Estimating department is directly involved in the core process of our tenders and projects, seamlessly woven in the fabric of Van Oord’s Business Units. The department delivers client value by its services, capabilities and solutions in every stage of all our projects, from early contractor involvement and tendering to operations and aftercare.

Within the department you will find subject matter experts on a wide range of offshore, infra and marine engineering expertise. We also provide our expertise in risk management, planning, systems engineering, data engineering, and graphic design (CAD). Our team members feel challenged and supported by management and colleagues and experience opportunities to grow and (out) perform. Career development possibilities are diverse, ranging from becoming an all-round engineer to expertise specialist or moving into project management.

ABOUT YOU

You are proactive, hands-on, and motivated by a strong work ethic. You have an intrinsic drive that aligns with Van Oord’s core values: we care, we create, we work together, and we succeed. You’re eager to build a solid technical foundation as a stepping stone toward future leadership or specialized roles. Your diverse interests and strong communication skills make you a valuable team player who thrives in a dynamic environment.

• A bachelor's or master's degree in civil, mechanical, offshore or related engineering fields.
• A strong technical affinity, with practical experience gained through side jobs, extracurricular activities, or hands-on projects.
• A solid work ethic, entrepreneurial mindset, and a proactive drive to contribute to complex and impactful projects.
• An enjoyment of collaboration and the ability to translate technical challenges into practical, results-driven solutions.
• A broad range of interests and expertise, making you a well-rounded team player who adds value across various areas by asking insightful questions and contributing your unique perspective.
• Based in Gorinchem and Rotterdam - You’re also willing to travel and work abroad

WE OFFER

We offer you an 18-month Traineeship designed to accelerate your personal and professional development. You’ll gain hands-on experience, build meaningful relationships with fellow trainees, and form a network that will support you throughout your career. Besides this, we also offer:

• A competitive salary and benefits package;
• Attractive travel reimbursement (€0.31 per km) and home-office reimbursement (€2.15 per day);
• 32 vacation days (with a maximum of 7 collective days) to be taken outside the office periods;
• A variable bonus, depending on the company’s results;
• An attractive pension plan;
• Option for a collective health insurance plan (Van Oord covers your additional package);
• Flexible home-office arrangement: in agreement with your manager;
• Unique development opportunities consisting of various workshops, presentations and training courses;
• Communities to join, such as: Young Van Oord, Van Oord Women, Queer Community;

• Various events and sports activities, including winter sports, sailing weekend, cycling, and motorcycling.

Embarking on the Impact Traineeship has been both a challenge and an extraordinary opportunity. This program has enabled me to carve out my own career path, blending planning with process control. It's a unique chance to grow and harness your potential within Baltic Trains, surrounded by supportive and experienced colleagues who feel more like mentors. Lucy, Trainee - Engineering & Estimating