Manager Propulsion Innovation

Wärtsilä is an innovative technology company known for being a forerunner in the Marine and Energy markets. Every day, we – Wärtsilians - put our hearts and minds into turning Wärtsilä's purpose of enabling sustainable societies through innovation in technology and services into reality. Our ultimate aim is to provide increased value to both our customers and society. New, game-changing ideas and continuous improvement have been part of our DNA since 1834. Together, we can create new business opportunities and more sustainable future that we can all be proud of. 

We want to transition the world towards a decarbonised and sustainable future. By pushing the boundaries of engineering and technology, we can make it work. We are always on the lookout for future-oriented talent – want to join the ride?

We are looking for a

Manager Propulsion Innovation

within Marine Propulsion and decarbonisation development. The location for the position is in Drunen, the Netherlands.

What you will be doing

You are responsible for leading an internal cross functional team on Propulsion innovations from Research and Funding through Prototype. This position reports to the Director of Propulsion Technology and as a member of the corresponding team. If you are enthusiastic about protecting our environment, please join a growing team of like-minded individuals as we decarbonize this planet!

Our projects are carried out within multidisciplinary teams (Hydrodynamics, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Innovation and Project Management) spread over our main offices in Drunen (The Netherlands), Rubbestadneset (Norway) and Finland (Helsinki). The preferred location for this position is our office in Drunen.

 
The key accountabilities of this role:

• Innovation Leadership: Leading and managing innovation projects to align with Wärtsilä's strategic goals and sustainability targets.
• Research and Development: Overseeing R&D activities and roadmaps to develop and improve propulsion technologies, focusing on efficiency, safety, and environmental impact.
• Collaboration: Working closely with cross-functional teams and external partners to ensure successful project execution and market introduction.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Engaging with internal and external stakeholders to gather insights and drive innovation.
• Opportunity Identification: Informing internal stakeholders about potential new opportunities and supporting ideators in developing viable solutions.
• Customer Engagement: Meeting with customers to understand their needs and specifications to meet market demands.

As Manager Propulsion Innovation, your work will focus on these responsibilities: 

• Project Management: Leading innovation projects from conception to completion, ensuring timely and budget-compliant delivery.
• Technical Leadership: Providing technical guidance in developing new propulsion technologies and enhancing existing systems.
• Market Analysis: Conducting market research to identify trends, customer needs, and competitive landscape.
• Stakeholder Communication: Maintaining effective communication and presentation with internal and external stakeholders, including regulatory bodies.
• Compliance and Safety: Ensuring adherence to industry standards, safety regulations, and environmental guidelines.
• Research Funding: Maintain the innovation budget and secure research funding aligned with strategic development projects.
• Knowledge Institute Collaboration: Coordinating collaboration projects linked to radical innovation concepts.
• Team Leadership: Leading and coaching team members involved in innovation projects and supporting the development of innovation processes.

To be successful in this role we expect you to have:

• Know-how of Funding Instruments: Familiarity with funding instruments at both EU and national levels.
• Patent Application Knowledge: Experience in applying for patents.
• Strategic and Analytical Thinking: Ability to think strategically and analytically.
• Structured and Practical Work Approach: Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Ownership and Drive for Innovation: A strong drive for innovation and creating business value, with a sense of ownership.
• Communication and Influencing Skills: Excellent communication, presentation, and influencing skills.
• Technical Knowledge: Relevant technical knowledge in the field.
• Academic Background: A relevant academic background (BSc or MSc), preferably with a strong track record in Innovation Management or R&D work.
• Social and Leadership Skills: Excellent social and leadership skills, being a team player with customer-facing experience.
• Project Management Experience: At least 3 years of project management experience.
• English Proficiency: Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English.

Why you and us? 

We at Wärtsilä believe in empowerment, ownership and taking responsibility of our work. We support each other’s growth and co-creation is the true basis of our innovation. We have courage to see opportunities and take initiative. 

We are authentic and honest, and we strongly believe in that by being your own true self you can accomplish so much more. We don’t always get it right the first time, and if mistakes are made, we make sure to learn and grow from them. We want everyone to voice their opinions freely. That is why we have built an environment that empowers you and everyone around you, and where you can feel safe and cared for. Are you eager to be part of this ambition? 

We have a skilled team embedded in a professional internal and external maritime community. You will be working in close cooperation with other teams within our Business Unit Propulsion. Such as Hydrodynamics, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Project Management. You will work directly within our team of innovation engineers in Propulsion Technology.

Contact & next steps 

We hope to hear from you soon, by submitting your application through our careers portal. We aim to keep you updated on the process throughout. 

For further questions please reach out to Marcel Cleijsen, Director Propulsion Technology, through email marcel.cleijsen@wartsila.com with any questions related to this position (only for questions from direct job applicants, applications through email will not be recorded or responded to). 

Welcome to join us in shaping the decarbonisation of marine and energy!
 

Last application date: 03/01/2025 

At Wärtsilä we value, respect and embrace all our differences, and are committed to diversity, inclusion and equal employment opportunities; everyone can be their true self and succeed based on their job-relevant merits and abilities. 

This is Wärtsilä 

Wärtsilä is a global leader in innovative technologies and lifecycle solutions for the marine and energy markets. Our team of 17,800 professionals, in more than 280 locations in 79 countries, shape the decarbonisation transformation of our industries across the globe. Read more on www.wartsila.com.