USV Operator Job in Blankenberge | DEME Group

DEME Group is seeking a USV Operator for onsite remote operation of an unmanned survey vessel from its control room in Blankenberge, West Flanders. The position suits a maritime professional who holds the required Officer in Charge of a Navigational Watch certificate and can apply safe-navigation knowledge while monitoring a vessel at distance. Alertness, steady judgement and a calm response to changing conditions are central to the work.

The USV Operator position combines nautical watchkeeping with digital remote-vessel technology. Working from Blankenberge, Belgium, the successful applicant will support operations involving the Dolphin unmanned survey vessel, following DEME Group safety standards and operational procedures. This is an opportunity for someone with a solid maritime background who can observe operational information carefully, communicate clearly with relevant colleagues and stakeholders, and remain focused throughout vessel operations.

Opportunity Details

Overview of the Vacancy

Location, Sector, and Role Context

Within DEME Group's Offshore activity and Crew/Workmen job domain, the USV Operator remotely operates the Dolphin unmanned survey vessel from the Blankenberge control room. Day-to-day work includes keeping a safe navigational watch, following the vessel's position, course and operating status, and assessing navigational situations with nautical experience. The operator responds when navigational or operating conditions change and carries out basic mechanical maintenance when needed. Clear communication with relevant operational teams and stakeholders supports the conduct of USV operations. The vacancy calls for sound decision-making, sustained concentration and an ability to work with remotely operated technology.

The role is based onsite in the control room at Blankenberge in West Flanders, rather than described as a remote-working post. Its purpose is to help deliver dependable and efficient USV operations while contributing to the development of this operating model. A suitable background includes maritime experience and a strong understanding of safe navigation and watchkeeping. The position also calls for comfort with digital systems, careful monitoring and measured reactions as circumstances develop. Previous work with survey vessels, remote vessel operations or unmanned vessels may be relevant, although the vacancy presents that experience as an asset rather than a stated requirement.

About the Employer: DEME Group

Organization and Relevant Services

Verified Employer Overview

DEME Group works across offshore energy, dredging, marine infrastructure and environmental works. Its stated activities also include concessions connected with offshore energy, maritime infrastructure, green hydrogen and deep-sea mineral harvesting. The employer identifies four activity areas: Dredging & Infra, Offshore, Environmental and Concessions. This vacancy belongs to the Offshore activity and Crew/Workmen domain, placing remote operation of an unmanned survey vessel within a business area concerned with offshore work. The role's Blankenberge control-room setting is the specific location identified for the operational tasks described in the vacancy.

The employer describes work in its Dredging & Infra activities that includes capital and maintenance dredging, land reclamation, soil improvement, port construction and coastal protection. Its marine-infrastructure work covers facilities and structures such as jetties, port terminals, locks, weirs, tunnels, bridge foundations, dams, canals, quay walls and shore protection. That activity area also includes marine aggregates and maritime services for port terminals. These stated areas illustrate the maritime and infrastructure context of a group whose Offshore activity hosts this USV Operator vacancy, while the position itself remains focused on the remote operation and monitoring of a survey vessel.

Professional Setting and Role Context

Work Environment, Operations, and Facilities

DEME Group has roots in Belgium and states that it has established a presence across seas and continents. The company reports 150 years of experience, nearly 6,000 highly skilled professionals, and a workforce representing more than 95 nationalities. Its homepage also states that it has more than 100 specialised vessels and equipment. For an applicant considering the Blankenberge-based control-room role, these employer facts provide context for a position that combines maritime knowledge with remote-vessel technology. They do not alter the vacancy's stated operational focus: monitoring and operating the Dolphin unmanned survey vessel from the named Belgian location.

The company states that it operates one of the world's largest and most technologically advanced vessel fleets, supported by auxiliary equipment. It also states that it is listed on Euronext Brussels. In the context of this vacancy, the relevant operating arrangement is more specific: DEME Group seeks an operator for the Dolphin unmanned survey vessel, with vessel activity controlled from Blankenberge. The job description therefore connects the employer's maritime operations with a control-room role requiring watchkeeping, navigation assessment, technology comfort and communication during operations. The information supplied does not describe additional site facilities or a separate local team structure.

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Open Positions

1. USV Operator

Official title: USV operator Blankenberge (Belgium)

Location: Blankenberge (West Flanders), Belgium — remote operations control room | Employment information: Full-time two-weeks-on/two-weeks-off rotation

As USV Operator, the appointee will use a control-room perspective to observe and direct the Dolphin unmanned survey vessel during operations. The work brings together navigational watchkeeping, assessment of position and course information, operational-status monitoring and appropriate action as conditions change. Basic mechanical maintenance is included where necessary. The role also requires clear exchanges with the operational teams and stakeholders involved, alongside consistent adherence to DEME Group safety standards and procedures. Its central contribution is reliable and efficient USV operation from the Blankenberge control room.

Responsibilities

• Operate the unmanned survey vessel remotely from the control room in Blankenberge.
• Maintain a safe navigational watch while the vessel is in operation.
• Apply nautical knowledge and experience to evaluate navigational situations and support safe vessel movement.
• Track the vessel's position, course and operational status from the control room.
• Take an appropriate response when navigational or operational conditions change.
• Undertake basic mechanical maintenance when it is necessary.
• Communicate clearly with relevant operational teams and stakeholders during USV operations.
• Follow DEME Group safety standards and operational procedures in carrying out the work.
• Support reliable and efficient USV operations while helping to develop this way of working.

Qualifications

• Hold a valid STCW II/1 Officer in Charge of a Navigational Watch certificate.
• Bring a solid maritime background relevant to vessel operations.
• Demonstrate a strong understanding of safe navigation and watchkeeping.
• Be willing to work from the Blankenberge control room on the stated rotation.
• Be able to carry out the role onsite from the Blankenberge control room.
• Preferred: Have experience with survey vessels, remote vessel operations or unmanned vessels.
• Preferred: Be comfortable using digital systems and remotely operated technology.

Skills and Competencies

• Use safe-navigation and watchkeeping capability while monitoring remote vessel movements.
• Monitor remote vessel operations by following position, course and operating-status information.
• Assess navigational situations and make sound decisions that support safe movements.
• Sustain alertness and concentration during USV operations from the control room.
• Respond calmly when navigational or operational circumstances change.
• Communicate clearly with operational teams and stakeholders involved in USV work.
• Perform basic mechanical maintenance when the operational need arises.
• Apply safety standards and operational procedures consistently during the role.

Benefits and Employment Information

• DEME Group advertises an extensive mobility programme intended to support healthy work-life balance.
• The employer lists a permanent training track for personal and professional development.
• The vacancy describes a stimulating, innovative workplace with growth opportunities.
• DEME Group also presents a people-oriented environment with an interactive health programme and attention to employee wellbeing.
• For this USV Operator role, the employment information is: Full-time; two-weeks-on/two-weeks-off rotation in the Blankenberge control room. The vacancy does not publish a salary.

Application Guidance

Prepare a Focused Application

CV, Evidence, Documents, and Interview Preparation

General preparation guidance for this type of application is to present maritime experience in a clear, factual CV. An applicant may outline assignments that demonstrate safe navigation, watchkeeping and assessment of changing navigational situations, then identify the valid STCW II/1 Officer in Charge of a Navigational Watch certificate. Relevant examples can also show careful use of digital systems, sustained attention and communication during operations. Where applicable, experience with survey vessels, unmanned vessels or remote operations can be described accurately. This is general preparation guidance, not an additional condition stated by the vacancy.

For a professional discussion about this role, an applicant may prepare concise examples of monitoring a vessel's position, course and operating status, deciding how to react when conditions change, and communicating with operational contacts. It can also be useful to explain experience of basic mechanical maintenance and following safety procedures. Candidates should distinguish the required maritime background and navigational-watch certificate from the preferred experience with survey or unmanned vessels. These suggestions are intended to help organise relevant evidence for a maritime remote-operations application; they are not statements about an interview format or extra employer requirements.

• Check that the CV clearly identifies the valid STCW II/1 Officer in Charge of a Navigational Watch certificate.
• Summarise maritime assignments that demonstrate safe navigation and navigational watchkeeping.
• Prepare an accurate example of monitoring vessel position, course and operational status.
• Where relevant, describe survey-vessel, remote-operations or unmanned-vessel experience without presenting it as mandatory.
• Prepare factual examples of remaining alert, making measured decisions and responding calmly as conditions change.
• Review how prior work demonstrates clear operational communication, basic mechanical maintenance and adherence to safety procedures.

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How to Apply

Submit Your Application Through the Verified Route

Apply Through the Official Employer Portal

Use the official employer application portal opened by the button below these instructions for the USV Operator role in Blankenberge. Prepare a CV that accurately presents the required navigational-watch certificate, maritime background and relevant operational experience. The DEME application page is reached after a ten-second countdown timer. The vacancy does not state a separate language requirement or list a motivation letter as an application document.