Group Lead – Digital Twin Suite & Simulations

About the role

As the group leader of Digital Twin and Simulations, you lead a team of professionals in digital platform development, simulation, emulation and power & energy. You define and execute the global strategy for digital twins and virtual engineering, bringing these functions together into a coherent, high-impact organization. Working across Product, Sales, Engineering, Operations and Services, you accelerate innovation and strengthen lifecycle performance.

Your impact:

• Define and execute the global strategy for digital twin, simulation, emulation and power & energy, embedding virtual engineering and digital enablers across product development, sales, delivery and operations.
• Drive simulation, emulation, power & energy and digital twin excellence, overseeing modular, scalable solutions that accelerate design validation, improve predictability and strengthen lifecycle performance.
• Lead the development of next-generation digital twin platforms, integrating IoT, AI, cloud, analytics and predictive capabilities, while ensuring strong DevOps, security and compliance governance.
• Accelerate digital transformation and servitization, shaping performance-based service models, improving service competitiveness and leading initiatives that drive adoption and measurable business impact.
• Build and lead a global, high-performing team, fostering innovation, cross-functional collaboration, Agile ways of working and a culture of continuous improvement across digital services, simulation, emulation and power & energy.
• Manage the Digital Twin and Simulation budget, ensuring value-driven investment decisions and alignment with the long-term automation and platform strategy.
• Oversee digital twin and simulation portfolio governance, ensuring clear prioritization, resource allocation and alignment across simulation, emulation, digital platforms and power & energy to maximize business value and accelerate adoption.
• Manage Simulation and Emulation project planning to ensure that timelines, deliverables and priorities are well-structured, while keeping internal and external customers closely informed. A strong focus on customer satisfaction is essential.

What makes you a great fit?

• 10+ years of experience in digital platforms, cloud computing or related technologies, ideally within automation, logistics or other industrial sectors, with a proven track record in scaling digital service capabilities.
• Strong technical foundation in cloud infrastructure, data security and software architecture, with hands-on experience in AWS, Azure or Google Cloud, and solid knowledge of AI, IoT, digital twins and predictive maintenance technologies.
• Proven ability to lead complex digital transformation initiatives, collaborating across commercial, engineering and operations functions to maximize business impact and service competitiveness.
• Exceptional stakeholder management and leadership skills, with the ability to influence executive decision-makers and build high-performing digital teams, supported by a strong analytical, data-driven mindset.

What we offer

In this challenging and responsible position, you will have the chance to make a significant contribution to industry-leading projects and be connected to our dedicated people and customers. We offer a position in an informal, international and professional working environment with a lot of scope for personal development. By joining our profitable and growing company you will be able to reach your goals and focus on your future.

On top of your fixed salary you’ll receive the following secondary benefits:

• 40 vacation days (20 statutory days and a flexible budget worth 20 days).
• Flexible working hours.
• A hybrid workplace (40% working from home and 60% in the office).
• A Health & Wellbeing budget worth €300 per calendar year.
• Commuting allowance, including full reimbursement of travel by public transport.
• Working from home allowance.
• Collective pension scheme and discount on additional health insurance.
• On-site company health centres with a gym, physiotherapists and occupational therapists.
• Vanderlande Academy and training facilities to boost your skills.
• A variety in Vanderlande Network communities and initiatives.
• A great company restaurant and coffee bar with barista.

Background screening

For this position it is possible that a background screening will be conducted. This screening can include checks such as verification of identity, qualifications or other relevant records, which may include criminal background or sanctions list checks, in accordance with internal policies and applicable laws. Any job offer may be extended under the condition that the screening does not give reason to reconsider the hiring decision. Candidates will always be informed about the process and their rights before any screening is initiated.