Job description

The Excavator Operator is responsible for operating specialized offshore excavators used in marine construction, rock installation, cable crossing protection, seabed preparation, scour protection, and offshore wind farm support activities.
The role requires a high level of precision, situational awareness, and understanding of offshore construction tolerances while working closely with survey teams, ROV personnel, and project engineers.

Preferred Equipment Experience

While the exact machine configurations may vary between vessels and projects, Jan De Nul's offshore construction fleet utilizes specialized marine-modified hydraulic excavators comparable to:

Excavator Types

• Heavy-Duty Hydraulic Excavators
• Long-Reach Hydraulic Excavators
• Offshore Modified Excavators
• Marine Construction Excavators
• GPS-Guided Excavation Systems
• Precision Rock Placement Excavators
• Excavators Integrated with Survey and Positioning Systems

Typical Equipment Characteristics

Candidates should ideally have experience with:

• 50 to 120+ tonne excavators
• Long-reach boom configurations
• Heavy-duty rock placement buckets
• Marine corrosion-protected equipment
• GPS machine guidance systems
• Offshore positioning systems
• Hydraulic attachment systems
• Precision excavation under survey control

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Offshore Excavator Operations

• Operate offshore excavators safely and efficiently.
• Execute rock placement operations.
• Support cable crossing construction.
• Perform scour protection installation.
• Assist with seabed preparation works.
• Support trench backfilling operations.
• Execute marine construction activities according to project specifications.

Project Execution

• Follow project drawings and installation procedures.
• Work closely with survey teams.
• Communicate effectively with ROV operators.
• Support offshore construction campaigns.
• Assist during mobilization and demobilization activities.

Equipment Care

• Perform daily equipment inspections.
• Monitor machine performance.
• Report defects and maintenance requirements.
• Maintain cleanliness and operational readiness.
• Support preventative maintenance activities.

Safety Responsibilities

• Participate in toolbox talks.
• Comply with Permit-to-Work procedures.
• Participate in emergency drills.
• Report hazards and unsafe conditions.
• Maintain compliance with company HSE standards.

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

Essential

• Proven excavator operating experience.
• Experience operating heavy construction equipment.
• Experience interpreting construction drawings.
• Good English communication skills.
• Strong safety awareness.

Preferred

• Offshore construction experience.
• Rock installation vessel experience.
• Fallpipe vessel experience.
• Dredging experience.
• Marine civil engineering experience.
• Offshore wind project experience.
• Cable protection experience.
• Quarrying or mining experience.

MARINE CONSTRUCTION EXPERIENCE

Candidates with backgrounds in the following industries are highly encouraged to apply:

• Offshore Construction
• Dredging
• Marine Civil Engineering
• Coastal Protection
• Quarry Operations
• Heavy Construction Projects
• Breakwater Construction
• Offshore Wind Farms
• Subsea Infrastructure Projects

SURVEY & POSITIONING AWARENESS

Preferred candidates should be familiar with:

• DGPS systems
• Survey-guided construction
• Offshore positioning systems
• Installation tolerances
• ROV-supported operations
• Seabed intervention projects

Experience working alongside surveyors and ROV teams is considered a significant advantage.

CERTIFICATION MATRIX

Mandatory Certificates

Offshore Requirements

TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES

Successful candidates should possess:

• Precision machine operation.
• Hydraulic systems knowledge.
• GPS-guided excavation experience.
• Heavy equipment troubleshooting skills.
• Understanding of offshore construction tolerances.
• Rock placement methodology knowledge.
• Construction drawing interpretation.
• Strong mechanical awareness.

PERSONAL COMPETENCIES

Successful candidates demonstrate:

• Strong safety culture.
• Attention to detail.
• Problem-solving ability.
• Adaptability to offshore environments.
• Commitment to quality and operational excellence.

EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS

• 6 Weeks On / 6 Weeks Off Rotation.
• Competitive offshore remuneration package.
• Travel arrangements provided by the company.
• Accommodation and meals onboard.
• International project exposure.
• Long-term career opportunities.
• Professional training and development.
• Opportunity to work on flagship renewable energy projects.

IDEAL CANDIDATE PROFILE

An experienced Excavator Operator with a strong background in offshore construction, dredging, marine civil engineering, quarrying, or heavy construction. The ideal candidate has experience operating large hydraulic excavators and is capable of performing high-precision rock placement and seabed intervention works in demanding offshore environments.

Direct experience with offshore excavators similar to those deployed onboard Simon Stevin, Joseph Plateau, Daniel Bernoulli, or comparable offshore construction vessels will be considered a significant advantage.

WHY JOIN JAN DE NUL?

• Work on world-class offshore construction vessels.
• Support major offshore wind and subsea infrastructure projects.
• Join one of the leading offshore contractors globally.
• Enjoy a stable 6-week on / 6-week off rotation.
• Be part of the global energy transition.
• Build a long-term offshore construction career.