Software Systems Architect

We are looking for a Software Systems Architect to turn complex operational needs into clear requirements, system architectures and interface definitions for dotOcean's maritime and defense systems. Working across our product lines (VISOR, Seacurity, Automate Your Boat) and European defense programs (e.g. EUROGUARD, NEREUS,…), you will apply Model-Based Systems Engineering to specify, structure and validate data-centric, software-defined systems — bridging operators, software, hardware and third-party systems into coherent system-of-systems solutions.

Key responsibilities

1. Requirements engineering:

   • Elicit, analyze and document operational, functional and non-functional requirements together with customers and internal stakeholders.

   • Build and maintain requirements traceability (RTM) from mission needs down to system, subsystem and software requirements.

   • Manage requirements baselines, changes and impact analysis across the project lifecycle.

2. System architecture & MBSE:

   • Develop operational, system and technical architectures using MBSE and defense architecture frameworks (UAF, NAFv4.1 SysML) with tools such as Visual Paradigm and Enterprise Architect.

   • Define CONOPS, operational scenarios, use cases and interface definitions (ICDs) for system-of-systems.

   • Make and document architectural trade-offs balancing performance, resilience, safety, cost and interoperability.

3. Verification, validation & integration:

   • Define V&V strategies and link requirements to verification evidence across the system lifecycle.

   • Support integration across multi-vendor, multi-domain systems and align with standards (MOSA, UMAA, NATO STANAGs).

   • Contribute to test campaigns and critical design reviews.

4. Collaboration & proposals:

   • Work closely with robotics, AI engineers, project managers and consortium partners.

   • Contribute to RFI/RFP responses, proposals and technical documentation for defense and civil programs.

Experience & skills we are looking for

• Master's degree in Engineering (e.g. computer science, physics) or equivalent.

• A few years of experience in systems engineering, requirements engineering or system architecture, ideally in complex or regulated domains (defense, maritime, aerospace, automotive).

• Solid grasp of the full system lifecycle

• Hands-on experience with Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) and frameworks such as SysML, UAF or NAFv4;

• Ability to reason about data-centric architectures, interfaces and interoperability across sensors, edge and cloud.

• Awareness of standards e.g. NATO STANAGs is a strong plus.

• Strong analytical, documentation and communication skills; comfortable coordinating across disciplines and with external partners.

• Affinity with maritime, robotics or autonomous systems is a plus.

• dotOcean stands for innovation, entrepreneurship, and the latest technologies and evolutions in automation within the growing maritime and defense industry.

• We are a small yet closely-knit and strong team.

• An inspiring, entrepreneurial & result-oriented environment where respect, trust, and communication are key values.

• Your enthusiasm and results-oriented approach will be rewarded with a competitive salary package, supplemented with benefits like meal and eco vouchers, group and hospitalization insurance.

• We work 40 hours a week, which means you get 12 additional vacation days per year.

For additional questions please send an e-mail to jobs@dotocean.eu for the attention of Sofie De Coninck.