L

Lely

Dairy automation and robotic milking systems

Head of Integrated Testing and Verification

Full-TimePosted on 10/15/2026
€7k - €9.9k/mo+ 20% bonus + Electric car
Expert
Master's
Maassluis, Netherlands
HybridAt least three days per week on campus.
Engineering ManagementEngineering Leadership

About the job

Requirements
  • A master's degree in a relevant technical field or a comparable discipline.
  • Approximately 10 years of relevant professional experience, preferably, including at least 5 years in a leadership role.
  • Experience leading teams through other managers, developing people and capabilities, and achieving results in a complex, multidisciplinary environment.
  • Strong leadership skills and experience developing teams, team leads, and an effective management structure.
  • Ability to develop a strategic vision and translate it into concrete plans aligned with organizational objectives.
  • In-depth technical knowledge of the field, including relevant industry standards, quality requirements, and technological developments.
  • Experience collaborating across disciplines and bringing together teams and stakeholders within and outside Product Development.
  • Coaching skills to help team leads realize their potential and further develop their leadership and coaching skills.
  • Experience with resource planning, budget responsibility, and balancing capacity, costs, and organizational objectives.
  • Analytical and problem-solving skills, combined with a results-oriented approach.
  • Ability to create a safe and open work environment where people share feedback, collaborate, take ownership, and pursue high quality standards.
Responsibilities
  • Determine and implement the strategic vision for Integrated Testing and Verification while contributing to the broader Product Development strategy.
  • Lead and develop the Competence Center through a strong leadership team, with a focus on talent development, performance, recruitment, and learning and development.
  • Strengthen collaboration with Business Teams and other competencies, aligning product roadmaps, technology initiatives, project requirements, and resource deployment.
  • Promote innovation and continuous improvement by monitoring new technologies, tools, processes, and industry developments and translating them into opportunities for the Competence Center.
  • Ensure effective knowledge development and sharing, lifecycle management, and technical documentation at project, product, and competence levels, in line with relevant legislation and quality standards.
  • Take responsibility for strategic workforce planning, resource deployment, and the Competence Center budget, while developing external collaborations to strengthen expertise and capabilities.
Desired Qualifications
  • Approximately 10 years of relevant professional experience.

About the company

Lely develops dairy automation and robotics to ease farming labor. Its products include robotic milking systems (Astronaut), automated feeding systems, and barn cleaning technology. The Astronaut robotic milking system allows cows to choose when to be milked, using sensors and automation to milk cows without human intervention, while automated feeding optimizes rations and feeding schedules. Lely distinguishes itself by being privately held and family-owned, with a strong long-term R&D focus, evident in over 1,600 active patents and a history of investing in technology rather than short-term profits. After focusing on dairy automation (and divesting its forage division in 2017), the company operates in more than 50 countries and aims to create a sustainable and profitable future for farmers through dependable, technology-driven solutions.

Company Size

1,001-5,000

Company Stage

N/A

Total Funding

N/A

Headquarters

Mary Tavy, United Kingdom

Founded

1948

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Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • 2025 turnover rose 18% to €1.014 billion, showing strong product pull.
  • Scott VanGrouw became North America president in November 2025, sharpening U.S. execution.
  • June 2026 Impact Live! mobilized 1,400 employees behind a global ESG push.

What critics are saying

  • EEOC settled a sex and age case on September 10, 2026; training is mandatory.
  • Lely warned on August 24, 2026 that Dutch nitrogen plans are depressing farm demand.
  • Lower milk prices and chip-delivery uncertainty threaten 2026 orders and integration timelines.

What makes Lely unique

  • Lely owns a deep installed base: 35,000 Astronaut robots across 40+ countries.
  • 2025 launches added Vector Next, Astronaut A5 Next, Astronaut Max, and Hub.
  • September 2026 Discovery Collector reached 10,000 units, proving durable repeat adoption.

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Benefits

  • Paid Vacation
  • Flexible Work Hours
  • Hybrid Work Options
  • Commuter Benefits
  • Gym Membership
  • Wellness Program
  • Professional Development Budget
  • Conference Attendance Budget
  • Training Programs

Company News

Lely
Dec 5th, 2025
Lely North America Welcomes Scott VanGrouw as President

Lely North America welcomes Scott VanGrouw as President. Lely North America, a leader in dairy robotics and automation, is pleased to announce the appointment of Scott VanGrouw as President. VanGrouw brings more than two decades of experience in agriculture, sales and distribution strategy to the organization. With a reputation as a visionary leader, VanGrouw has a proven track record in building high performing teams that consistently deliver results. VanGrouw's journey to Lely reflects both his professional ambition and personal connection. "Joining a team that represents great values, excellent products while caring about their people is what I'm most excited about," said VanGrouw. "Having spent the first half of my career in the dairy industry, I've had the opportunity to visit Lely Global headquarters based in Maassluis, the Netherlands as part of many consulting opportunities with dairies considering robotics. Being able to be part of guiding North American dairy producers through their transition to robotics is bringing my passions full circle." "We're excited to have Scott onboard," said Gijs Scholman, Lely Chief Commercial Officer and Chairman of the Board of Lely North America. "With Scott's upbringing on a dairy farm and a decade of managing both large and small farms, he will bring a level of understanding on how our products not only impact farmer's lives, but also the financial benefit our products bring to operations by maximizing animal and environmental health." VanGrouw officially joins Lely North America on November 17th. Transition plans are already underway. VanGrouw looks forward to connecting and gathering insights from the strong team - both internally and externally through its distribution channels. "We are thankful to Lely North American Management Team for continuing to lead a strong brand and employee base. In doing so, the Management Team and the Lely North American employee base has set VanGrouw up for a successful transition," Scholman said. About Lely North America Lely North America, based in Pella, Iowa, is part of the Lely Group, founded in 1948. Lely directs all effort toward creating a sustainable, profitable and enjoyable future in farming for its customers. Using the cow as a center point, the company develops premium robotics and data systems that increase and improve animal welfare, flexibility and production on dairy farms. For more than 30 years, Lely has been the leader in the sales and service of automated milking systems to successive generations of dairy farmers across the globe. Every day, Lely inspires its employees to offer customers innovative solutions and be reliable partners for long-term advice and support. With its head office in The Netherlands and a worldwide network of dedicated Lely Center locations for tailor-made sales and support, the Lely Group is active in more than 40 countries and employs over 2,500 people. www.lelyna.com For more information, please contact Xavier Drake, Corporate Communications at Lely North America: [email protected], 641-621-2700.

Robotics & Automation News
Aug 5th, 2025
Lely launches three new robotic solutions for milking cows

Lely launches three new robotic solutions for milking cows.

Farming Life
Mar 22nd, 2025
Lely introduces the Vector MFR Next

Lely has launched the Vector MFR Next, the new mixing and feeding robot that takes robotic precision feeding to a higher level.

Dairy News
Mar 12th, 2025
Lely Expands Its Presence in Central Asia

Lely expands its presence in Central Asia.

Lely
Feb 20th, 2025
Lely reports financials over 2024

Last year, Lely launched three impactful solutions for monitoring, feeding and manure handling at the Yellow Revolution event emphasizing its innovative DNA.