Lees het verhaal van

Wessel - Production Engineer

Lees het verhaal van

Wessel - Production Engineer

From Coastal Engineering to Offshore Wind - With a background in Civil Engineering and a master’s in Coastal Engineering from TU Delft, Wessel van der Zee started his journey at Van Oord seven years ago. What began with an internship on a dredging and infrastructure project quickly grew into a career that combines engineering expertise, offshore experience, and a focus on renewable energy. Today, Wessel works as a discipline engineer in the OFE EE Production Engineering department, with a focus on subsea cable burial for offshore wind projects.

During my studies, I was already fascinated by how engineering connects with the natural environment. My first experiences at Van Oord were in the Cable Unit as a Project Engineer, where I worked on method statements and supported offshore projects. Spending short periods on board of a cable-laying and a cable burial vessel gave me a new perspective, I could see how the preparations we made in the office translated into actual operations at sea. That sparked my interest in specifically the cable burial process and eventually led me to join the Engineering & Estimating team.

Engineering as a puzzle

What I enjoy most about my work today at the Production Engineering department is that it feels like solving a puzzle each time. For example, when working on cable burial, I collaborate with geologists who provide soil parameters. Using this input, I analyze the cable burial performance and build production cycles that estimate how long specific operations will take, taking into account vessel capabilities, weather delays, and the sequence of activities. Each project brings new challenges, from straightforward cases to complex studies with multiple methods and at locations. By combining soil data, operational input and burial calculations, I create a production estimate that gives planners and cost estimators a solid basis for decision-making. The key is balance: keeping it simple enough to use, while still capturing the details that can make or break an offshore operation.

Engineering as a puzzle

Working in teams

Most of my work is in tender teams, where we brainstorm, share findings, and support each other in delivering proposals. I appreciate the open culture at Van Oord – whether onshore or offshore, people are approachable and willing to help. As a Production Engineer, you’re a link in a bigger chain: without reliable estimates, there’s no planning or costing. That gives my role real impact, and finishing a tender together always feels like a shared achievement.

Looking ahead

I see myself growing into a more leading role in the future, guiding younger engineers, sharing knowledge, and helping them find their own focus, just as I did. At the same time, I’m proud to be part of offshore wind projects that contribute to the energy transition. Working on something that matters for climate change makes my job even more meaningful.