Yacht Project Leader; Mechanical Engineering

Position: Yacht Project Leader (Mechanical Engineering)
As a Project Leader (Mechanical Systems), you will coordinate and manage defined mechanical engineering packages within some of the world's most advanced luxury yacht projects. Acting as the central point of coordination within your scope, you will ensure that engineering deliverables, suppliers, budgets, planning, and production requirements remain aligned throughout the project lifecycle.

You will work with a wide range of onboard systems, including:

Generator and main engine exhaust systems

Fresh water, fuel, and drainage systems

Sea water cooling systems

Ventilation and air conditioning systems

Compressed air systems

Bilge, fire-fighting, black and grey water systems

Rather than focusing on detailed 3D modelling yourself, you will lead the engineering process for your assigned package. You will coordinate engineers and drafters, monitor budgets and hours, manage supplier interfaces, support class approvals, and ensure that engineering information is delivered in a practical and production-ready manner.

Because engineering and construction are closely integrated at Heesen, you will have direct influence on how technical solutions are implemented onboard. You will work closely with production, suppliers, subcontractors, and other engineering disciplines to ensure successful delivery of your package from concept through sea trials.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced maritime engineering professional who enjoys technical ownership, multidisciplinary coordination, and delivering complex engineering packages within a high-end yacht building environment.

What you will do

Lead and coordinate mechanical engineering packages within yacht construction projects

Prepare and monitor engineering budgets, planning, hour forecasts, and progress

Coordinate and control subcontracted engineering activities

Guide engineers and drafters in delivering high-quality models, drawings, and technical documentation

Ensure engineering deliverables are completed according to project requirements, planning, and quality standards

Coordinate technical interfaces between mechanical engineering, suppliers, production, procurement, class, and flag authorities

Prepare RFQs and review technical proposals from suppliers and subcontractors

Support technical changes and client-requested modifications throughout the project

Monitor technical risks and proactively resolve engineering challenges

Ensure approval of technical documentation through class and flag authorities

Follow engineering activities throughout construction, commissioning, and sea trials

Where you will work
Would you like to work in a high-end yacht building environment where engineering and production are closely connected? This opportunity places you in a technically strong shipbuilding team working on luxury yachts built to extremely high standards.

You will be part of a shipbuilding engineering environment where customisation, technical quality, and collaboration are central. The team works closely with the shipyard, which means your designs are not created in isolation but directly linked to the build process.

High-end custom and semi-custom yacht projects

Strong integration between engineering and shipyard operations

Focus on practical, buildable technical solutions

International and collaborative team environment

Excellent exposure to the full yacht construction process

What you already have

BSc degree in Mechanical Engineering, Maritime Technology, Naval Architecture, or another relevant technical discipline

5+ years of experience within yacht building or shipbuilding engineering environments

At least 3 years of experience in a coordinating role such as Project Engineer, Lead Engineer, Project Leader, Engineering Coordinator, or similar

Strong understanding of marine mechanical systems, including piping, cooling, ventilation, fuel, exhaust, and water systems

Experience working on technically complex vessels, ideally large yachts, naval vessels, offshore vessels, cruise vessels, or other advanced shipbuilding projects

Experience coordinating engineering deliverables, suppliers, subcontractors, budgets, and technical interfaces

Ability to translate technical requirements into practical and production-ready engineering solutions

Experience with CATIA and yacht building engineering processes is advantageous

Strong organisational, communication, and stakeholder management skills

Excellent command of English, both written and spoken (C1-C2)

40 paid holidays per year for an excellent work-life balance

Covered commuting and interviewing costs

Business Travel Insurance, so you stay safe during your business travels

Basic Dutch course, so you can understand the Dutch jokes during the coffee break

Access to social gatherings, lectures, and events, so you will meet like-minded people within the Dutch maritime industry

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