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Quality Assurance Engineer Shipbuilding - Job Opportunity at Damen Naval

Vlissingen, Netherlands
Full-time
Mid-level
Posted: July 21, 2025
Hybrid
EUR 65,000 - 85,000 annually. This role commands premium compensation due to the specialized nature of naval shipbuilding quality assurance, security clearance requirements, and extensive travel demands. The position sits in the upper mid-tier for QA roles, reflecting the strategic importance of supplier quality management in defense contracts and the limited talent pool with relevant naval/defense experience.

Benefits

Competitive salary with 8% holiday allowance providing above-market compensation structure
Generous 40-day annual leave package (27 holidays plus 13 ADV days) exceeding European standards
Premium travel reimbursement at 23 cents per kilometre supporting extensive field work requirements
Comprehensive PME pension plan with exceptional 60% employer contribution securing long-term financial stability
Performance-based profit sharing directly linking compensation to company success
Flexible hybrid work arrangement allowing up to 2 days remote work optimizing work-life balance
Health and wellness benefits including company fitness facilities and bicycle plan promoting employee wellbeing

Key Responsibilities

Lead comprehensive supplier quality audits across Western European facilities, driving corrective actions that directly impact naval vessel quality and project success
Manage strategic supplier quality risk assessment and mitigation planning, maintaining critical risk registers that protect multi-million euro naval contracts
Drive advancement of supplier QA standards by implementing cutting-edge quality principles that position Damen Naval as industry leader
Ensure rigorous quality process compliance across complex supply chains, safeguarding the integrity of advanced naval systems
Design and implement tailored QA frameworks for specialized suppliers, optimizing quality outcomes for unique naval technologies
Provide executive-level quality status reporting and strategic recommendations that inform critical project management decisions

Requirements

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Quality Assurance, Technical Business Administration, Maritime Technology, Shipbuilding, or equivalent technical field

Experience

4+ years in Quality Assurance Management, ideally within naval, defense, shipbuilding, or complex industrial sectors

Required Skills

Strong understanding of manufacturing techniques and processes, preferably in shipbuilding Excellent command of English (written & spoken) Demonstrated experience in conducting quality audits and managing supplier quality risks Solid understanding of QA standards and principles Readiness and capability for frequent travel to supplier locations across Western Europe
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Industry Trends

The naval shipbuilding industry is experiencing unprecedented modernization driven by geopolitical tensions and defense spending increases across NATO countries. Quality assurance professionals are becoming increasingly critical as naval vessels incorporate advanced technologies including cyber warfare systems, autonomous capabilities, and hybrid propulsion systems. The complexity of these systems demands sophisticated QA methodologies that can handle multi-tier supplier networks and ensure compliance with stringent military specifications. Supply chain resilience has become paramount in defense manufacturing following recent global disruptions. Quality assurance engineers now play a strategic role in supplier diversification and risk mitigation, particularly in Europe where defense industrial base strengthening is a policy priority. This has elevated the importance of professionals who can conduct comprehensive supplier assessments and implement robust quality frameworks across geographically distributed manufacturing networks. Digital transformation in shipbuilding is creating demand for QA professionals who understand both traditional manufacturing processes and modern digital quality management systems. The integration of IoT sensors, predictive analytics, and digital twin technologies in naval vessel construction requires quality professionals who can bridge conventional auditing practices with data-driven quality assurance methodologies.

Role Significance

Typically operates within a quality management team of 8-15 professionals, collaborating closely with procurement, engineering, and project management teams totaling 50-100+ stakeholders across active naval projects. The role requires coordination with supplier teams ranging from 5-50 personnel per audit engagement, demanding strong interpersonal and leadership capabilities.
This is a senior individual contributor role with significant autonomous responsibility and strategic impact. The position operates at the intersection of technical quality management and business risk mitigation, requiring independent decision-making that directly affects project outcomes and supplier relationships. While not explicitly managerial, the role carries substantial influence through audit findings and quality recommendations that shape supplier strategies.

Key Projects

Multi-billion euro naval frigate construction programs involving complex weapon systems integration and advanced naval technologies Supplier qualification and ongoing assessment for critical naval components including propulsion systems, combat systems, and specialized marine equipment Quality framework development for emerging naval technologies such as autonomous systems, advanced radar/sonar equipment, and cyber-secure communications platforms Cross-European supplier network optimization projects aimed at enhancing supply chain resilience and quality standardization across Damen Naval's supplier ecosystem

Success Factors

Deep technical understanding of naval shipbuilding processes combined with comprehensive knowledge of military-grade quality standards and specifications. Success requires the ability to translate complex technical requirements into practical quality assurance frameworks that suppliers can implement effectively while maintaining strict compliance with naval specifications. Exceptional communication and influencing skills to manage relationships with diverse international suppliers, many of whom may have different quality cultures and business practices. The ability to drive quality improvements through collaboration rather than confrontation is essential for long-term supplier relationship success. Strategic risk assessment capabilities that enable proactive identification and mitigation of quality issues before they impact project timelines or vessel performance. This requires systems thinking and the ability to understand how component-level quality issues can cascade into system-level failures. Cultural adaptability and strong project management skills to effectively conduct audits and implement quality improvements across multiple European countries with varying regulatory environments, business practices, and communication styles.

Market Demand

High demand with limited qualified supply. The combination of increased defense spending, complex naval modernization programs, and strict security clearance requirements creates strong demand for experienced QA professionals in naval shipbuilding. The requirement for EU citizenship and security screening further constrains the talent pool, giving qualified candidates significant leverage in compensation negotiations.

Important Skills

Critical Skills

Advanced audit and assessment capabilities are absolutely essential as they form the core of daily responsibilities and directly impact supplier relationships and project success. The ability to conduct thorough, objective assessments while maintaining positive supplier relationships requires sophisticated interpersonal and analytical skills that cannot be developed quickly. These skills directly translate to business impact through risk mitigation and quality improvement. Deep understanding of manufacturing processes, particularly in shipbuilding and defense applications, is critical for credibility with suppliers and effectiveness in identifying quality risks. Without this technical foundation, it becomes impossible to assess whether supplier processes are adequate for the demanding requirements of naval applications or to provide meaningful guidance for improvement. Risk management and strategic thinking capabilities are essential for success in this role, as quality issues in naval applications can have severe consequences for project timelines, costs, and ultimately vessel performance. The ability to anticipate potential quality issues and implement preventive measures is what distinguishes exceptional QA engineers from those who merely react to problems after they occur.

Beneficial Skills

Project management certification and experience would significantly enhance effectiveness in coordinating complex audit activities and managing multiple supplier relationships simultaneously. These skills become increasingly valuable as responsibilities expand and career advancement opportunities arise. Knowledge of emerging digital quality management technologies, including data analytics and IoT-based quality monitoring, would provide competitive advantage as the industry continues to digitize. Understanding these technologies positions professionals for leadership roles in quality transformation initiatives. Additional language skills beyond English would facilitate more effective communication with European suppliers and demonstrate cultural adaptability that is highly valued in international business environments. This capability can accelerate career advancement and open opportunities in global defense markets.

Unique Aspects

This role offers rare opportunity to work at the forefront of naval technology development while contributing to European defense capabilities and international security. The position provides exposure to cutting-edge naval systems and technologies that are not available in commercial maritime or general manufacturing quality roles.
The extensive travel requirements across Western Europe provide exceptional professional development opportunities, including exposure to diverse manufacturing cultures, advanced production techniques, and best practices from leading European defense suppliers. This international experience is invaluable for career advancement in the global defense industry.
The security clearance and defense industry experience gained in this role opens doors to a specialized career path in defense manufacturing, with opportunities across major defense contractors and government agencies throughout Europe and allied nations.
Working within Damen's family-owned structure while contributing to high-stakes naval projects provides a unique combination of stability, strategic impact, and technical challenge that is rare in the current corporate environment.

Career Growth

Career advancement typically occurs within 3-5 years for high performers, with progression accelerated by successful management of high-profile quality initiatives, development of specialized expertise in emerging naval technologies, and demonstration of strategic business impact through quality risk mitigation and supplier performance improvement.

Potential Next Roles

Senior Quality Manager or Quality Director positions overseeing comprehensive quality strategies for major naval programs, with responsibility for multiple QA engineers and strategic quality planning Supplier Quality Manager roles with broader responsibility for supplier development, strategic sourcing quality, and supply chain risk management across Damen Naval's global supplier network Project Quality Manager positions with direct responsibility for quality outcomes on major naval construction projects, including integration with design engineering and production teams Business Development roles focusing on naval defense contracts where deep quality and technical expertise provides competitive advantage in proposal development and client relationship management

Company Overview

Damen Naval

Damen Naval represents the specialized defense division of Damen Shipyards Group, a family-owned Dutch maritime engineering company with over 12,000 employees worldwide. The company has established itself as a leading designer and builder of naval vessels, with particular strength in frigates, offshore patrol vessels, and specialized naval platforms. Damen Naval combines the innovation capacity of a technology-focused enterprise with the stability and long-term perspective of a family-owned business, creating an environment that supports both cutting-edge naval development and sustainable career growth.

Damen Naval holds a strong position in the global naval shipbuilding market, particularly in Europe and allied nations. The company competes directly with major defense contractors like Naval Group, Fincantieri, and BAE Systems, while maintaining competitive advantages in modular construction techniques and cost-effective naval solutions. Their reputation for delivering complex naval projects on time and within budget has secured significant international contracts and established long-term relationships with naval forces worldwide.
Based in Vlissingen, Netherlands, Damen Naval operates at the heart of Europe's maritime industry cluster, providing access to a sophisticated supplier network and advanced maritime engineering expertise. The location offers excellent connectivity to major European naval markets while benefiting from the Netherlands' strong maritime heritage and supportive regulatory environment for defense manufacturing. The position provides opportunity to work on international projects while being based in a region with high quality of life and strong technical infrastructure.
Damen Naval fosters a culture that balances engineering excellence with collaborative teamwork, reflecting both Dutch directness and international business sophistication. The family-owned structure enables long-term strategic thinking and investment in employee development, while the defense focus creates an environment of technical rigor and attention to detail. The company culture emphasizes continuous learning, international collaboration, and the practical application of innovative technologies to solve complex naval challenges.
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