Project Manager with Engineering Background

dotOcean, based in Brugge with hubs in Gent and Leuven, Belgium, is a leader in pioneering autonomous control and advanced situational awareness technology for the maritime, security and civil industry. 

https://dotocean.eu

apply now

Project Manager with engineering background

dotOcean is seeking a dynamic and technically skilled Project Manager to join our team. In this role, you will be responsible for overseeing a variety of projects within the defense and civil sectors, particularly focusing on EDF projects. The ideal candidate will have a solid understanding of both industries, allowing them to bridge the gap between technical teams and business objectives.

You will lead and coordinate project activities, ensuring smooth communication and collaboration across cross-functional teams. A core aspect of the role will be organizing regular stand-up meetings, setting clear objectives, and ensuring the team remains informed and aligned. You will also ensure that project goals are clearly communicated, deliverables are met on time, and that quality standards are maintained throughout the process.

As a Project Manager at dotOcean, you will play a key role in driving project success!

Your Skills

Key Responsabilities

• Manage defense software projects from study to Demonstrator, ensuring deliverables are met on time and within budget.

• Liaise with European defense agencies, understanding their specific needs and ensuring our solutions align.

• Coordinate with internal software development teams, ensuring alignment with project specifications.

• Develop detailed project plans, including timelines, budgeting and resource allocation.

• Communicate project status, milestones, and potential challenges to relevant parties, ensuring transparency and alignment.

• Identify potential project risks and implement mitigation strategies.

Key Competencies

• Makes well-informed decisions and guides others through uncertainty. Assesses complex situations and makes timely, balanced decisions.

• Manages long-term stakeholder relationships, proactively addressing needs to ensure successful project outcomes.

• Creates an inclusive, emotionally intelligent project environment, promoting empathy, psychological safety, and effective conflict resolution.

• Delivers impactful communication to align teams, influence stakeholders and drive clear decisions, fostering a culture of transparency and open dialogue.

• Leads continuous quality improvement efforts, setting benchmarks, fostering a culture of excellence and mentoring teams to ensure accuracy and long-term improvements.

Technical Competencies

• Master’s degree in engineering (industrial or civil), physics, or related sciences.

• Strong knowledge in at least one of the following: USV autonomy, multi-agent systems, or data management in a defense context.

• Minimum 2 years of industry experience in programming (C++ or Python) and familiarity with DevOps principles (containerization, CI/CD).

• Project Management – Proven experience managing projects (>3 year) in an industrial setting, including risk management and quality assurance.

• Understanding of MIL-STD, STANAG, cybersecurity in defense (encryption, secure communication), and requirement management systems (Jama, DOORS).

• Ability to review/contribute to technical specifications, architectures, test plans, and apply MBSE principles.

• Knowledge of ROS 2 / DDS – Experience with middleware communication frameworks used in autonomous systems is a plus.

Our Talents

• At dotOcean, you’ll work with the latest technologies in autonomous systems, automated operations and cloud technology.

• We’re a growing team focused on collaboration, coaching and personal development. And yes, there’s