Senior Project Manager Engineering

Career at Damen

We offer you an Ocean of Possibilities. Join our family.

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 Project Manager Engineering you will take full responsibility for the engineering activities of the platform (construction) part of the F-126 frigate project – everything except the combat and weapon systems. You will lead a multidisciplinary engineering organization of more than 200 engineers and project managers, ensuring that scope, budget, quality, and planning are met within Damen Naval’s largest and most complex project.

You will be based mainly in Vlissingen, where the construction activities take place, and work closely with our German customer, suppliers and shipyard. As the current Senior Project Manager transitions to a reduced role, you will be gradually introduced and supported before taking full ownership of this long-term, multi-billion-euro program.

Key accountabilities

In this role, your responsibilities will include:

• Leading and managing the engineering project organization of the F-126 platform, including 5 Project Managers and multiple specialized engineering teams.
• Taking ownership of the full engineering scope, from basic and detailed design to production support, testing, trials, and delivery.
• Executing the engineering project plan, monitoring progress against agreed milestones, and proactively addressing risks and deviations.
• Ensuring strict compliance with all contractual, technical, and quality requirements.
• Managing stakeholder communication with the German customer, shipyard, suppliers, and internal Damen entities.
• Representing Damen Naval towards tactical stakeholders and professional organizations.
• Acting as a visible leader on site in Vlissingen for at least three days per week.

Skills & experience

We are looking for candidates with the following qualifications:

• Bachelor or Master degree with 12+ years of relevant experience in a relevant field.
• Proven track record in managing large and complex engineering projects (offshore, infrastructure, energy, or similar); experience in naval shipbuilding is an advantage but not necessary.
• IPMA B certification (or equivalent).
• Extensive knowledge of engineering concepts, project management methods, and leadership techniques.
• Strong experience in collaborating with international customers and suppliers in complex, contractual environments.
• Excellent communication skills in German and English both written and spoken are necessary.
• Being able to speak the Dutch language is an advantage.
• Willingness to travel internationally and to be present on site in Vlissingen multiple days per week.
• Excellent leadership, coaching, and communication skills, with the ability to navigate a long-term, highly procedural project environment.
• 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 both an EU and non-EU nationality and/or passport are not eligible in accordance with the requirements imposed by the military nature of our projects.

What we offer

We want to make sure you are happy in your role. As part of Damen Naval we will support you to:

• Enjoy excellent employment conditions, including competitive salary, 8% holiday allowance, 27 holidays and 13 ADV days.
• Together with the project teams, you form the core of our projects and are involved from A to Z.
• Experience the best of both worlds: work in Vlissingen at the largest naval shipyard in The Netherlands, and collaborate internationally with colleagues, partners, and customers around the world.
• Work alongside a diverse group of people with international backgrounds, in a professional and challenging environment where safety comes first.
• Be part of a dynamic, international team that shares knowledge and experience.

Why Damen?

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.

About Us

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.