Lead Production Mechanical Engineering | Superyacht Building

You are an experienced leader within the maritime sector and understand how complex newbuild projects are realized. You know how to translate technical challenges into practical solutions and are accustomed to managing large teams within a project-based environment.

To be successful in this position, you possess recent leadership experience within shipbuilding or yacht building. We are not looking for a candidate who wants to make the transition to this sector, but someone who already knows the maritime project environment well and therefore adds value independently from the start.

Candidates with experience exclusively in, for example, automotive, mechanical engineering, utilities, or general industry generally do not align sufficiently with the nature and complexity of this position.

At Royal Van Lent Shipyard, we want you to grow in your career. At the same time, you enjoy a healthy work-life balance. That is why we have put together an attractive and complete package.

• Salary: € 4,500.- to € 6,500.- gross per month.
• Stable future: a one-year contract with a view to permanent employment.
• 40 days off per year: 27 vacation days and 13 ADV days based on full-time employment.
• Extra appreciation: 8% holiday allowance plus a guaranteed supplement of 2.75% until 2027.
• Profit sharing: an annual profit sharing bonus (conditional).
• Good pension scheme: via PME, including collective options for supplementary health insurance.
• Travel allowance: € 0.23 per kilometer based on commuting distance.
• Flexible working hours: in consultation with your supervisor.
• An active staff association: including a summer BBQ, sloop trips, pub quizzes, and family gatherings.
• Development opportunities: education and training via the Feadship Academy.

At Royal Van Lent Shipyards, we build Feadship superyachts up to 160 meters long. Each yacht is completely custom-made and is known worldwide for innovation, craftsmanship, and quality.

As Lead Production Mechanical Engineering, you are responsible for the execution of all mechanical engineering activities within the production organization. You monitor planning, quality, safety, progress, and budget, and you lead your team to deliver a technically high-quality final product.

For this position, we explicitly seek an experienced professional from shipbuilding or yacht building. You know the dynamics of complex newbuild projects and are able to operate independently within a multidisciplinary production environment from day one.

This is what you will do as Lead Production Mechanical Engineering | Superyacht Building

The Mechanical Engineering department consists of approximately 40 employees who are responsible for installing, connecting, testing, and commissioning mechanical systems aboard our superyachts, namely: propulsion systems, generators, stabilization systems, and all related piping systems.

You are the connecting link between engineering, production, and project organization, ensuring that all disciplines work together optimally toward an exceptional final result.

In this role:

• You lead foremen, production planners, quality controllers, mechanics, and apprentice tradespeople.
• You coordinate all mechanical engineering activities within the production environment.
• You monitor planning, progress, capacity, quality, and budget.
• You ensure timely delivery of the agreed scope within the specified quality and safety requirements.
• You manage based on safety, efficiency, and continuous improvement.
• You coach and develop employees and build a strong team culture.
• You identify and implement process improvements.
• You work closely with Engineering, Project Management, Hull, Outfitting, suppliers, and subcontractors.
• You participate in multidisciplinary project meetings and provide direction to decision-making where necessary.
• You report on progress, risks, quality, and KPIs to the Production Manager.

In this role:

• HBO (Higher Professional Education) working and thinking level, preferably in Mechanical Engineering, Maritime Technology, or a similar technical field of study.
• Minimum of 5 years of leadership experience within shipbuilding, yacht building, or maritime newbuild projects.
• Demonstrable experience with mechanical installations aboard ships or yachts.
• Experience in managing foremen, mechanics, production planners, and subcontractors.
• Experience within project-based production environments where planning, quality, safety, and budget are monitored collectively.
• Good knowledge of technical drawings, diagrams, P&ID's, and installation documentation.
• Knowledge of safety, quality, occupational health and safety (Arbo), and environmental legislation.
• Strong organizational and communication skills.
• The ability to quickly grasp complex technical issues and convert them into practical solutions.
• A decisive, result-oriented, and coaching leadership style.
• Excellent command of the Dutch and English languages.
• A VCA-VOL certificate or the willingness to obtain this in the short term.