Senior System Architect Combat Systems

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 Senior System Architect Combat Systems at Damen Naval, you play a pivotal role in shaping and managing system requirements for naval vessels within the combat systems domain. You will drive requirements management and IVVQ (Integration, Verification, Validation, and Qualification) activities, ensuring seamless system integration and compliance. As Senior System Architect Combat Systems your expertise bridges technical teams and stakeholders, with a strong focus on both functional and non-functional requirements and their impact on advanced naval combat system design and operation.

Key accountabilities

• Requirements Management Lead and maintain system requirements, ensuring traceability, alignment, and clear documentation across all combat system modules and subsystems.
• System Engineering Leadership Act as a technical authority for architecture and integration, guiding the development, review, and flow of system and subsystem requirements.
• IVVQ Coordination Oversee validation and verification activities, assess deliverables, and ensure all requirements are evaluated and met.
• Stakeholder Management Facilitate communication and alignment between technical teams and stakeholders, providing expert guidance on integration and best practices.
• Continuous Improvement Drive closure of non-functional requirements and support ongoing optimization of requirements management and IVVQ processes.

Skills & experience

• Master degree in a relevant technical field and extensive hands-on experience in engineering or subcontract management of complex systems, ideally in shipbuilding or a related industry.
• In-depth knowledge of naval and/or combat system integration.
• Proficiency with requirements management tools (e.g., DOORS).
• Experience collaborating in multidisciplinary, complex project environments.
• Demonstrated leadership or coordination in complex engineering projects.
• Excellent command of written and spoken English, and ability to read German.
• Clean background check and excellent references (security screening required).
• Excellent references, as a security screening is part of the hiring process.
• Permanent EU citizenship and passport are both required. Candidates with EU (work) visa or with (also) a non-EU nationality and/or passport are not eligible given the requirements imposed by the military nature of our projects.

What we offer

• A technology and innovation-focused, dynamic international work environment.
• A competitive salary and benefits package.
• Ongoing learning and development opportunities within a diverse and rewarding workplace.
• An active social environment with company events and sports activities.

Damen has 35 shipyards on five different continents and operates in more than 100 countries. We are still growing and that gives you options. You contribute to this growth while benefitting from the diverse development and career opportunities that our company offers. We will continue to challenge you. With our extensive portfolio of products and solutions you will never get bored and never stop learning. We offer you a world of possibilities.
Working at Damen means contributing to the highest quality in shipbuilding, with an eye to the future and future generations. We want to make the world a better place by becoming the most sustainable maritime solution provider. For that, we need you. Become part of our family.

We are Damen. We’re a family company that has been building ships for almost 100 years. However, our focus is not on the past, however – we’re looking forward. Our ambition is to become the most sustainable and connected maritime solutions provider there is. To achieve this, we combine digital technology with our philosophy of standardised shipbuilding to offer a portfolio of services that takes care of vessels throughout the entire lifecycle. Working at Damen offers the best of several worlds. Active in more than 100 countries, with over 30 shipyards, we are internationally renowned for quality. And we are still growing, still innovating. Which means we will continue to challenge you. You will never stop learning, and you will never get bored – we promise you that. We offer you an ocean of possibilities. Join our family.

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.