Technical Advisor – Civil & Mechanical Engineering

Location: Middelburg (Primary: Bruinisse – Zeeland region)
Hours per week: 24
Contract Type: Freelance / Assignment
Start Date: ASAP
Duration: 1 July 2026 – 30 June 2028
Maximum Hourly Rate: €37
Education Level: HBO (Civil Engineering required)
Language Requirement: Dutch (Mandatory)

Role Overview

We are seeking a Technical Advisor (Civil & Mechanical Engineering) to support a major infrastructure replacement and renovation project focused on wet infrastructure systems, including locks and related hydraulic structures.

In this role, you will act as a technical advisor and on-site observer, ensuring that civil and mechanical engineering works are executed according to specifications, standards, and contractual agreements. You will play a key role in monitoring quality, identifying risks, and providing technical input during the execution phase of infrastructure works.

Key Responsibilities

Technical Advisory & Observation

• Act as technical observer for civil and mechanical engineering works on infrastructure projects
• Review and assess design documents, execution plans, and technical work instructions
• Translate technical designs into practical execution and monitor implementation quality
• Verify that construction activities comply with agreed specifications and standards

Site & Execution Monitoring

• Monitor construction activities on-site, particularly at wet infrastructure locations such as locks and hydraulic structures
• Assess contractor performance and execution quality
• Identify deviations, risks, and technical issues during project execution
• Ensure compliance with legal, technical, and safety requirements

Reporting & Documentation

• Document findings, risks, and deviations in structured technical reports
• Prepare advisory notes and technical memos for the project team
• Contribute to validation and verification of technical data and project outputs

Stakeholder Coordination

• Act as technical point of contact within civil and mechanical engineering disciplines
• Collaborate closely with project teams, contractors, and specialist advisors
• Align with other observers and technical disciplines on execution approach
• Provide input to both client-side teams and contractors where required

Continuous Improvement

• Contribute to the improvement of technical processes, methods, and standards
• Share knowledge within the project team and contribute to professional development
• Stay up to date with innovations in civil and hydraulic engineering
• Participate in safety walks and integrated safety initiatives

Assignment Deliverables

• Verified and quality-assured execution of civil and mechanical works
• Technical reports, notes, and advisory documentation
• Identification and mitigation of risks and deviations during construction
• Contribution to validation and compliance with technical requirements
• Improved technical coordination and execution quality within the project

Required Qualifications

• Completed HBO degree in Civil Engineering
• Minimum 3 years of experience in civil engineering
• Minimum 3 years of experience supervising civil engineering projects during construction
• Minimum 3 years of experience working with wet infrastructure (e.g. locks, sluices, weirs)
• Valid VCA VOL (Safety for Operational Supervisors) certification (mandatory)
• Strong Dutch language skills (mandatory)

Preferred Experience

• Experience in advisory or consulting roles within infrastructure projects
• Experience with movable structures such as bridges, locks, or sluices
• Experience in mechanical engineering components within civil infrastructure projects
• Experience with hydraulic engineering works
• Familiarity with systems such as Relatics, GRIP, Connect, or SharePoint
• Experience in execution-phase infrastructure projects

Key Competencies

• Results-driven and solution-oriented mindset
• Strong planning and organisational skills
• Technical accuracy and attention to detail
• Strong communication and stakeholder coordination skills
• Ability to work independently and take responsibility on-site
• Organizational sensitivity and collaboration skills
• Proactive and innovative approach to problem-solving
• Customer- and quality-focused attitude