Read the story of

Boudewijn - Subsea Engineer

Read the story of Boudewijn

Boudwijn - Subsea Engineer

When Boudewijn van Heijningen completed his master’s in Civil Engineering at TU Delft, specializing in hydraulic and coastal engineering, he knew he wanted to see how theory translated into practice. “During my thesis, I got a taste of applying calculations to real-life marine projects. After graduating, Van Oord felt like the perfect next step.” In January 2022, he joined as a subsea engineer.

I joined Van Oord right after my studies, specialising in hydraulic and coastal engineering. During my thesis, I already got a taste of offshore engineering, but at Van Oord I was able to fully dive into it. As a subsea engineer, I ensure that installation works can be carried out safely, within the limits of materials, equipment, and most importantly, people’s safety. My work often revolves around installation engineering for pipeline and cable projects, as well as rock design works. This includes everything from scour protection designs for offshore wind foundations to rock impact calculations and support on our subsea rock installation vessels. What excites me most is the combination of theory and practice, making sure that everything we design or calculate not only works on paper, but can also be built and executed in real life.

Following projects from tender to execution

One of the most unique aspects of my role is the chance to follow a project from start to finish. I once spent nearly a year working first on the tender phase and then on execution. “That was a very nice opportunity, to see how theory goes into practice and how we actually execute the project offshore.” Of course, not every tender ends in a win. I’ve experienced working long hours to crack a complex scope, only to see it go to a competitor. That’s always a pity, but it’s part of the job. The satisfaction comes from solving the engineering puzzle, even when the outcome is uncertain.

Following projects from tender to execution

A day in my role

I usually start early, around 7:30 and my days vary a lot. Sometimes I focus fully on one project or tender for weeks or longer, other times I split my time across multiple projects. There are progress meetings, calculations, report writing, and peer reviews. Part of my role is also supporting junior colleagues: helping them get started and reviewing their work. That variety keeps things interesting. The challenges? Right now, workload can be high. “Deadlines often follow each other up closely, and the biggest challenge is making sure all interfaces between disciplines fit into the bigger picture. What you do always impacts other scopes.” That complexity is demanding, but also what makes the work engaging. What makes Van Oord special to me is the culture. “It’s quite an open, relaxed atmosphere, easy to connect with people and to ask for advice. Everyone is approachable and willing to share their knowledge.”

My advice

Looking back, my advice to new engineers would be simple: don’t be afraid to ask. “If you’re not familiar with a topic, just ask around, people like to contribute and share their expertise.” And beyond that: explore. Offshore engineering covers so many topics and challenges. Find out what excites you, and dive into it.

A day in my role

I usually start early , around 7:30 and my days vary a lot. Sometimes I focus fully on one project or tender for weeks or longer, other times I split my time across multiple projects. There are progress meetings, calculations, report writing, and peer reviews. Part of my role is also supporting junior colleagues: helping them get started and reviewing their work. That variety keeps things interesting. The challenges? Right now, workload can be high. “Deadlines often follow each other up closely, and the biggest challenge is making sure all interfaces between disciplines fit into the bigger picture. What you do always impacts other scopes.” That complexity is demanding, but also what makes the work engaging. What makes Van Oord special to me is the culture. “It’s quite an open, relaxed atmosphere, easy to connect with people and to ask for advice. Everyone is approachable and willing to share their knowledge.”