Engineering Lead – Business Platform Schiphol Operations (BPSO)

Engineering Lead – Business Platform Schiphol Operations (BPSO) Vacancy Details - Location: Schiphol, Netherlands - Working Hours: 36 hours per week - Contract Start: ASAP - Contract End Date: 31 August 2027 - Minimum Education Level: HBO (Higher Professional Education) - Self-Employment: Not permitted About the Opportunity The organisation is looking for an experienced Engineering Lead to lead the Engineering & Technology unit within Business Platform Schiphol Operations (BPSO). The ambition for 2030 is to set the standard for managing a safe and effective airport system under pressure, with the goal of becoming one of the top three airports in Europe. The newly established Business Platform Schiphol Operations (BPSO) plays a key role in achieving this ambition by delivering Operational Technology (OT), Information Technology (IT), and data solutions that contribute to safe, predictable, and resilient airport operations. The Engineering & Technology department is responsible for engineering capabilities, solution and technology architecture, and site reliability within BPSO. Role Overview As Engineering Lead, you will lead the Engineering & Technology unit within BPSO, ensuring that the applications and platforms essential to daily airport operations are developed and managed securely, reliably, and sustainably. You will lead an organisation of approximately 50 engineering professionals, supported by experienced technical leaders. You will create the right environment for developers, architects, and engineers to perform at their best, develop their skills, and deliver lasting value to airport operations. Working closely with managers across BPSO’s operational domains, you will translate business needs into effective engineering strategies. While the operational domain managers determine what needs to be achieved, you will be responsible for how technology and engineering teams deliver those outcomes. This role requires a combination of deep technical expertise, strategic thinking, people leadership, and the ability to connect business objectives with technology execution. Key Responsibilities - Develop and communicate the engineering vision and technical strategy for BPSO. - Strengthen the engineering culture and promote technical excellence across the organisation. - Lead, coach, and develop engineers and technical leaders, supporting their professional growth. - Create the right conditions for developers, architects, and engineers to perform effectively. - Monitor and safeguard the technical quality, security, and reliability of applications and platforms. - Ensure engineering solutions are future-proof, sustainable, and aligned with business requirements. - Work closely with managers across BPSO’s operational domains to translate business priorities into engineering outcomes. - Establish and implement new engineering strategies, processes, and ways of working. - Maintain end-to-end ownership of initiatives, from strategic planning through execution and adoption. - Ensure alignment between strategy, implementation, and measurable business impact. - Challenge business stakeholders and engineering teams constructively, encouraging critical thinking and new approaches. - Drive continuous improvement, break established patterns where necessary, and ensure improvements are embedded across the organisation. - Balance technical quality with delivery speed, making pragmatic decisions that support progress and business outcomes. Candidate Requirements Candidates must demonstrate the following qualifications and experience: - Deep technical knowledge at both a strategic and substantive level. - Excellent communication skills in Dutch and English. - A strong technical background and proven experience connecting IT and business functions. - Functional and business knowledge, with the ability to understand business priorities and translate them into technology solutions. - Strong leadership, coaching, and stakeholder management capabilities. - Proven experience developing, establishing, and implementing new strategies and processes. - The ability to lead and develop engineering professionals and technical leaders. - Experience driving technical quality, security, reliability, and sustainable engineering practices. - Strong strategic thinking and the ability to contribute to strategic decision-making and vision development. - The ability to influence stakeholders, challenge existing approaches, and translate strategy into practical results. Education: HBO level is required as specified in the vacancy. Leadership Expectations – LIFT The organisation expects its leaders to demonstrate the following LIFT leadership qualities: 1. Leading with Empathy - Show genuine interest in people and their development. - Create an inclusive working environment. - Give and receive feedback constructively. 2. Collaboration - Connect teams and stakeholders around common objectives. - Encourage collaboration across functions. - Empower others to contribute and succeed. 3. Ownership - Take responsibility for outcomes and maintain a clear overview of activities. - Focus on results and demonstrate strong knowledge of the relevant field. - Ensure accountability from strategy through execution. 4. Flexibility and Determination - Anticipate and adapt to changes. - Communicate clearly and effectively. - Make decisions confidently when required. 5. Good Is Good Enough - Recognise when a solution is sufficiently good to move forward. - Balance quality and progress, making well-founded decisions. - Avoid allowing perfectionism to slow down delivery or reduce impact. - Encourage teams to work pragmatically, learn through execution, and improve continuously. 6. End-to-End Ownership - Take responsibility for issues and initiatives from start to finish. - Maintain oversight of the entire process. - Ensure that results are successfully implemented and adopted within the organisation. - Safeguard alignment between strategy, execution, and business impact. - Remain accountable until the intended outcomes are achieved. 7. Challenging the Business and Driving Change - Challenge business stakeholders and engineering teams constructively. - Ask critical questions and encourage alternative ways of thinking. - Combine a clear strategic vision with strong execution capabilities. - Initiate and deliver meaningful change. - Challenge established practices, encourage progress, and ensure improvements are embedded within the organisation.