Off-shore tech firm planning major expansion in Bristol
A leading provider of tech-powered offshore wind solutions is planning to recruit 50 tech specialist roles for its Bristol headquarters.
The drive by Vaarst is part of a wider national growth plan to recruit 100+ technology roles by the end of 2025.
The influx of tech talent will support Vaarst’s growth and development of its high-tech solutions using AI, automation, and machine learning to help speed the energy transition and keep offshore wind competitive.
Bristol is one of the world’s leading hubs for green technology, particularly in subsea applications.
The new roles in Vaarst’s Bristol headquarters, in areas such as machine learning, computer vision autonomy, data, AI, and robotics software engineering, involve working at the cutting edge of innovation in the green subsea industry and accelerating the energy transition.
The majority will be mid to senior level positions with hybrid and flexible working options available.
Vaarst’s solutions help to lower the operational costs of offshore wind farms. It automates and accelerates processes across all lifecycle stages, which has many benefits for the offshore wind sector: cutting survey days by up to 50 per cent, replacing dangerous work, shifting sea-based jobs onshore, and improving the productivity of offshore workers.
Vaarst is dedicated to supporting the energy transition, through its focus on providing high-tech solutions to the offshore wind sector – the only services provided to oil and gas operations are in safely decommissioning assets. The company has grown rapidly over the past few years, with operations across the UK & Irish seas, Europe, Japan, and the US, working with some of the world’s biggest offshore wind operators. Its current valuation sits at nearly £200m.
Brian Allen, chief executive of Vaarst, said: “Technology will be vital in improving the economics of offshore wind and accelerating the energy transition. High-tech solutions will both support existing jobs in the sector and create new ones, all while reducing operational timelines and costs. We’re looking for people who are passionate about technology for good and can help us on our mission to change the economics of offshore wind.”
This recruitment drive is part of Vaarst’s broader plans for global expansion. The company has already hired nearly 30 new roles across its Bristol and Aberdeen offices in the first few months of 2024. By the end of 2025, it aims to have hired for around 200 new positions globally, including 25 in the US to support recent agreements with the likes of industry giant Orsted, and 10 in Asia. Several new offices will also be opening across European and Asian markets.
