Dynamics, Workability & Data Science Engineer

Royal IHC is looking for a Dynamics, Workability & Data Science Engineer to strengthen our Innovation & R&D team. In this role, you will work at the heart of our technology development and contribute directly to future-proof, sustainable maritime solutions.

We are looking for someone who is curious, quality‑driven and eager to make real impact. You enjoy working together, sharing ideas, and being part of a team where your voice is heard.

In this role, you will develop and apply advanced workability, operability and motion‑prediction methods for complex maritime, offshore, defence and dredging systems. You will combine physics-based models, data science, and operational insights to support engineering decisions across the full lifecycle.

You will work in a collaborative R&D environment, contributing to conceptual studies, numerical modelling, data analysis, tool development (Python, OrcaFlex), and validation through simulations or measurements. Your work will directly influence real projects and long‑term technology choices.

Your role and responsibilities

As a Dynamics, Workability & Data Science Engineer, you will be involved in:

• Defining and calculating workability and operability limits for vessels and equipment.
• Development, maintenance and application of dynamic and hydrodynamic models for motion prediction and operability assessment.
• System-level analysis of vessel motions in relation to complex maritime, defense, offshore and dredging systems and operations.
• Development and continued improvement of workability tools and workflows (e.g. OrcaFlex- and Python-based).
• Analysis of large simulation and operational datasets to extract insights and support decision-making.
• Design and implementation of data-driven, machine-learning or AI-based prototypes for engineering applications.
• Integration of physics-based and data-driven models to improve prediction accuracy and efficiency.
• Support of model validation through laboratory measurements and full-scale (sea) trials.
• Technical support to engineering, sales teams and customers during project development.
• Contribution to R&D projects and strategic technology developments related to workability, operability and onboard decision support.

Through these activities, you directly contribute to IHC solutions that deliver safe, reliable and efficient operations that push the boundaries under demanding environmental conditions.

Your profile

You bring a strong proactive engineering mindset combined with curiosity, analytical rigour and an interest in combining theory with operational reality.

You have:

• A Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Maritime Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Applied Mathematics (or a related discipline).
• A strong affinity with hydrodynamics, multi-body dynamics, vessel motions or offshore operations.
• Interest in or experience with workability, operability criteria and metocean data (operational vs. extreme conditions).
• Affinity with programming and data-driven engineering; experience with Python is required (MATLAB and/or OrcaFlex are strong advantages).
• Interest in combining physics-based modelling with data science, machine learning or AI techniques.
• Interest in translating complex analyses into practical engineering and operational insights.
• Good command of English; Dutch is an advantage.

Royal IHC offers you:

• A salary between €4500,- and €8000,- gross per month, plus 8% holiday allowance.
• Plenty of time off: 40 vacation days for a full-time position, with the option to buy or sell additional leave.
• A profit-sharing scheme that lets you share in Royal IHC’s success.
• Flexible working: A home office allowance of €2.45 per day + a one-time payment of €750 to set up your workspace.
• Travel allowance of €0.21 per kilometer for the days you commute to the office.
• A solid pension plan through PME.
• Room to grow: Numerous internal career opportunities and a training budget + access to our IHC Academy to support your development.
• Health and energy: Unlimited access to our in-house gym (in exchange for the sustainable employability day).
• Royal IHC takes care of things you’d rather not worry about, but that are still important—such as disability insurance, partner pension, and the option to have additional healthcare costs reimbursed through our Social Fund.

Our Technology department

IHC Technology is one of the enabling organizations for IHC’s Core and Potential Core to achieve its strategy towards a sustainable future. The unit consists of around 20 employees with different backgrounds, mostly at PhD or MSc/BSc level. Besides DAS, a R&D group, the department includes IP, Innovation Management Support and Subsidy Support. IHC Technology also operates a well-equipped test facility.

Royal IHC is a leading supplier of maritime technology and expert craftsmanship. Driven by innovation, our dedicated experts provide a competitive edge to our worldwide customers in the dredging, offshore, mining and defence industries.