Maritime Equipment Design Lead & Dept Co-Manager

Are you an experienced engineering leader with a strong background in maritime projects and a passion for developing teams and organizations? Would you like to co-lead an engineering department and help shape its strategic direction while remaining close to technical projects and clients? Do apply.
As Department Manager Equipment Design at Vuyk Engineering, you are jointly responsible for the leadership, performance, and development of the engineering department. Together with the current Department Manager, you form a strong leadership duo that ensures a smooth operation, growth, and continuous improvement of the department.
In this role, you combine your people management skills with a solid engineering background. You oversee multiple projects and teams, ensuring alignment between business objectives, project execution, and people development. You play a key role in setting priorities, allocating resources, and maintaining high standards in engineering quality and delivery across mutli-discipline project.
You act as a bridge between strategy and execution, translating organizational goals into concrete actions for teams and projects. At the same time, you remain closely involved in complex projects, supporting project managers and acting as escalation point when needed. Together with your co-manager, you ensure a motivating work environment in which engineers can develop and perform at their best.
Responsibilities:
Co-lead and manage the Engineering department alongside the current department manager
Drive departmental performance in terms of quality, delivery, utilization, and financial results
Develop and implement departmental strategy, processes, and continuous improvement initiatives
Manage, coach, and develop team members, including performance management and talent development
Support and guide Project Managers in the successful execution of multidisciplinary projects
Maintain strong relationships with key clients and stakeholders
Contribute to tender strategies and high-level project approach
Ensure compliance with industry standards, company procedures, and quality requirements
What we ask:
Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field
15+ years of experience, including a solid background in engineering roles within the maritime or offshore industry
Proven experience in managing teams, departments, or large multidisciplinary projects
Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate, coach, and develop professionals
Strategic mindset combined with a hands-on, pragmatic approach
Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills

Experience with resource planning, financial oversight, and organizational development
Ability to operate effectively in a multidisciplinary and international environment

What we offer:

Excellent salary and working conditions
Attractive secondary benefits, including 37 days of leave (28 +
9), profit sharing, and flexible working from home options
Opportunity to work on state-of-the-art projects within the maritime industry, with a high level of variety
A highly experienced team to work with (average experience of 15+ years)
Opportunities for training and professional development
About our company:
Vuyk Engineering Rotterdam is the Independent Maritime Design House. In the maritime market, we are the only independent engineering firm offering four unique specializations: ship design, methods engineering, equipment design and temporary steel design. This allows our clients to benefit from the synergy of our combined expertise. Our extensive knowledge and experience in each area enable us to integrate these specializations seamlessly into a single project.

This way, we deliver innovative and comprehensive solutions that advance the maritime industry.

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