Automation Engineer

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 the Automation Engineer at Damen Naval, you contribute to the development of the new Anti-Submarine Warfare Frigates (ASWF), a flagship project within European naval defence. You design and implement automation solutions for complex onboard systems, enabling safe and efficient control and monitoring across the platform. Working in a multidisciplinary team and in close collaboration with international partners, you ensure that all automation designs meet strict cybersecurity, safety, and military requirements – from concept to final commissioning.

Key accountabilities

• Develop functional descriptions and automation architecture for various shipboard systems in the context of the ASWF frigate.
• Design and document control logic and interfaces for PLC/SCADA-based automation, aligned with defence-grade standards and cybersecurity protocols.
• Prepare and maintain technical specifications for automation hardware and software, ensuring integration with electrical and mission systems.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders, system suppliers, and international partners to align on technical solutions and interface definitions.
• Support the development of test plans and simulation environments to validate functionality across various project stages (FAT, HAT, SAT).
• Review vendor documentation, assess compliance, and integrate their deliverables into the ship’s automation architecture.
• Contribute to the continuous development of automation standards and engineering practices within the ASWF programme and Damen Naval.

Skills & experience

• At least 2 years of experience in the design and implementation of complex automation systems (PLC/SCADA), preferably in the maritime or defence sector.
• Experience with systems engineering and multidisciplinary projects involving multiple stakeholders and subcontractors.
• Familiarity with cybersecurity and safety standards relevant to military or mission-critical systems is a strong asset.
• Experience working in a model-based systems engineering (MBSE) environment, preferably using the V-model.
• A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Technical Automation, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field.
• Excellent references, as a security screening is part of the selection process.
• Permanent EU citizenship and passport, as required by the military nature of the ASWF project. Candidates with EU (work) visa or dual EU/non-EU nationalities are not eligible.

What we offer

• A competitive salary and 8% holiday pay.
• 27 holidays and 13 ADV days.
• Travel allowance of 23 cents per kilometre.
• PME-pension arrangement with an employer contribution of 60%.
• Profit sharing based on company results.
• Flexibility to work from home up to two days a week.
• Additional benefits including a bicycle plan and company fitness.

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.