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Read the story of Ascharya
Ascharya- Production Engineer
Read the story of Ascharya
Ascharya- Production Engineer
Originally from India, Ascharya (Ash) Sharma moved to the Netherlands in 2019 to pursue his master’s in Construction Management at TU Delft. Soon after graduating, he joined Van Oord through the Impact traineeship programme. What started as an introduction to offshore wind on the Baltic Eagle project has since grown into a career at the heart of production engineering.
Originally from India, Ascharya (Ash) Sharma moved to the Netherlands in 2019 to pursue his master’s in Construction Management at TU Delft. Soon after graduating, he joined Van Oord through the Impact traineeship programme. What started as an introduction to offshore wind on the Baltic Eagle project has since grown into a career at the heart of production engineering.
When I started as a trainee, I had the chance to try out different roles and disciplines. On the Baltic Eagle project, I worked on cables, foundations, contracts, and quality management. It was all about discovering what really suits me. With support from my manager, I realized I enjoyed working with data and calculations the most. My engineering manager encouraged me to follow that path, and since early 2023, I’ve been working as a production engineer.
Connecting the Dots Between Tech and Business
As a production engineer, I focus mainly on subsea cables. I collect information from different departments, like geology, operations, and engineering, and turn it into clear and reliable estimates. These estimates help us plan projects and make cost calculations, both for tenders and live operations.
What I love about this role is how it connects the technical and commercial sides. We combine things like soil data, vessel capabilities, and project risks with smart decisions about contracts and costs. This helps us avoid delays, work efficiently, and stay competitive in tenders.
For example, on the Sofia project, I analyzed live cable operations, predicted when we would finish, and helped the team spot improvements. We even managed to finish earlier than planned. It’s all about solving the puzzle and finding smart ways to organize the work.
When I started as a trainee, I had the chance to try out different roles and disciplines. On the Baltic Eagle project, I worked on cables, foundations, contracts, and quality management. It was all about discovering what really suits me. With support from my manager, I realized I enjoyed working with data and calculations the most. My engineering manager encouraged me to follow that path, and since early 2023, I’ve been working as a production engineer.
Connecting the Dots Between Tech and Business
As a production engineer, I focus mainly on subsea cables. I collect information from different departments, like geology, operations, and engineering, and turn it into clear and reliable estimates. These estimates help us plan projects and make cost calculations, both for tenders and live operations.
What I love about this role is how it connects the technical and commercial sides. We combine things like soil data, vessel capabilities, and project risks with smart decisions about contracts and costs. This helps us avoid delays, work efficiently, and stay competitive in tenders.
For example, on the Sofia project, I analyzed live cable operations, predicted when we would finish, and helped the team spot improvements. We even managed to finish earlier than planned. It’s all about solving the puzzle and finding smart ways to organize the work.
Learning Together, Growing Together
Looking back, I’m thankful for all the support I received. A works manager on Baltic Eagle once said to me: “You don’t know it yet, but I’m investing in your future.” That really stuck with me. It showed me what Van Oord’s culture is all about sharing knowledge, mentoring others, and thinking long-term. One day, I hope to do the same for younger colleagues.
Teamwork is also a big part of what I do. We work closely across tenders and projects, and engineers from cables and foundations meet every week to share tools, methods, and lessons learned. Your ideas are never just for you, they help the whole team move forward. That’s why I value our open culture so much. You can always ask questions, challenge ideas, and keep learning.
Life Outside of Work
I live in Utrecht and love sports. I train regularly at the gym and I’m now preparing for my first powerlifting competition. Keeping a balance between training, eating well, and work helps me stay sharp. I also enjoy bouldering and spending time with my girlfriend.
What’s Next?
For me, production engineering is the perfect mix of detail and big-picture impact. I want to keep growing in this field, improving our estimates, mentoring others, and helping move the energy transition forward. What motivates me is knowing that my work really makes a difference: for the project, for the team, and for the future of sustainable energy.
Learning Together, Growing Together
Looking back, I’m thankful for all the support I received. A works manager on Baltic Eagle once said to me: “You don’t know it yet, but I’m investing in your future.” That really stuck with me. It showed me what Van Oord’s culture is all about sharing knowledge, mentoring others, and thinking long-term. One day, I hope to do the same for younger colleagues.
Teamwork is also a big part of what I do. We work closely across tenders and projects, and engineers from cables and foundations meet every week to share tools, methods, and lessons learned. Your ideas are never just for you, they help the whole team move forward. That’s why I value our open culture so much. You can always ask questions, challenge ideas, and keep learning.
Life Outside of Work
I live in Utrecht and love sports. I train regularly at the gym and I’m now preparing for my first powerlifting competition. Keeping a balance between training, eating well, and work helps me stay sharp. I also enjoy bouldering and spending time with my girlfriend.
What’s Next?
For me, production engineering is the perfect mix of detail and big-picture impact. I want to keep growing in this field, improving our estimates, mentoring others, and helping move the energy transition forward. What motivates me is knowing that my work really makes a difference: for the project, for the team, and for the future of sustainable energy.
Persoonlijke en professionele groei
We zorgen voor elkaar
Goede arbeidsvoorwaarden
Persoonlijke en professionele groei
We zorgen voor elkaar
Goede arbeidsvoorwaarden
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