Abbott Ireland Operations Professional Development Programme (OPDP) - Ireland

Thornton Tomasetti; Ireland; On-site; EUR 32,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

Abbott in Ireland offers the OPDP Program, a three‑year rotation for entry‑level engineers and scientists. You will begin in Ireland, rotate across Technical, Operations, Supply Chain and Quality Assurance, with the final year abroad, and graduate into a full‑time role.

You will relocate between Ireland sites, work with multiple business units, and be paired with a mentor to develop leadership and technical skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree/MSc in Engineering or related disciplines with 2:1 or higher.
• Tracking to or a minimum of 2.1 grade with strong co‑curricular activities.
• Interest in Operations – Production, Engineering, Quality Assurance, etc.
• Geographically mobile and willing to complete a one‑year assignment outside of Europe.
• Unrestricted authorization to work in Ireland.
• Fluent level of English for written and verbal business communication.

Responsibilities

• Rotate through three 12‑month assignments across Technical, Operations, Supply Chain, Quality Assurance, Project Management and Engineering.
• Relocate to various sites around Ireland to gain assignment diversity.
• Work within multiple business units during the rotational program.
• Be paired with a mentor to support development of your operations career.

Skills

Ambition for Leadership

Analytical & problem‑solving

Interpersonal & communication

Willingness to learn

Team collaboration

Education

Engineering degree / MSc (Automation / Mechanical / Electrical) or related (2:1 or higher)

Job description

JOB DESCRIPTION: Abbott in Ireland

Abbott has maintained a strong presence in Ireland since 1946 and celebrates its 80th anniversary in the country in 2026. The company supports the Irish healthcare sector with a broad portfolio spanning diagnostics, diabetes care, medical devices and nutritional products. Today, Abbott employs more than 6,500 people across ten sites located in Dublin, Donegal, Clonmel, Cootehill, Galway, Kilkenny, Longford and Sligo.

About Abbott

Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life. Our portfolio of life-changing technologies spans the spectrum of healthcare, with leading businesses and products in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and branded generic medicines. Our 122,000 colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries.

We currently have a number of open positions on our OPDP Program in Ireland. Our Operations Professional Development Program (OPDP) is an entry-level, three-year rotation program designed to offer hands-on experience while promoting personal and professional growth. As a participant from Ireland, you will begin the program and first two rotations in Ireland, then you will complete your final-year rotation outside of Europe. Upon completion, PDP participants graduate into their full-time position, continuing to grow their career and contributing as an Abbott professional using the foundation of skills, experience and network developed during their time in the program.

As an OPDP participant you will:

• Be a regular full-time employee of Abbott and qualify for the same competitive salary and benefits as other Abbott employees.
• Assume full responsibility and contribute as a functional operation professional.
• Rotate through three challenging, demanding, and diverse 12-month assignments.
• Develop a well-rounded skill set through assignments in the established learning tracks (see below) for the program.
• Relocate to various sites around Ireland to experience assignment diversity and operations.
• Work within multiple business units during your rotational program at Abbott.
• Have the opportunity to explore possible crossover assignments within other Operation Programs (i.e. Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Operational Excellence).
• Be paired with a mentor to assist in the development of your operations career.
• Create a personalized growth plan to serve as a step-by-step guide towards the experiences, knowledge, and resources necessary to achieve your career goals.
• Obtain training customized to support your individual growth and development.
• Report to the department manager in each assignment who will oversee your day-to-day responsibilities.

OPDP rotation overview: The first two assignments are based in Ireland and involve working across functional areas such as: Technical, Operations, Supply Chain, Quality Assurance, Project Management and Engineering.

The first rotation is known as a technical rotation, while the second rotation focuses on Leading a Team.

The third rotation is based outside of Europe and focuses heavily on Operational Excellence. No assignment is repeated; each is with a different Assignment Manager.

OPDP participants starting the program on 05 July 2027 will complete a three-year program with the final international (overseas) rotation ending in June 2030.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree/MSc engineering(Automation / Mechanical / Electrical / Automation) Biotechnology, Pharmacy, Food Science, Supply Chain (Business Studies with major/minor Supply Chain) or related disciplines (grade 2:1 or higher).
• Tracking to or have a minimum of 2.1 Grade in your undergraduate course with a track record of outstanding co-curricular activities.
• Interest in pursuing a career in Operations – Production, Engineering, Quality Assurance, etc.
• Geographically mobile and willing to complete a one-year assignment outside of Europe.
• Unrestricted authorization to work in Ireland.
• Fluent level of English for written and verbal business communication.

Key Skills

• Ambition for Leadership.
• Capacity to apply skills and knowledge to address operational challenges and add value to the business.
• Excellent analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Strong interpersonal, leadership & communication skills.
• Eager to learn and has the flexibility and willingness to work on different projects.
• Previous work experience in internship or co‑op work experience would be an advantage.

The closing date for applications is Friday, 08 October 2026.

#earlycareers

The base pay for this position is N/A In specific locations, the pay range may vary from the range posted.

Job Details

JOB FAMILY: Engineering
DIVISION: CHR Corporate Human Resources
LOCATION: Ireland > Sligo : Carbury Point, Finisklin Industrial & Technology Park, Sligo
ADDITIONAL LOCATIONS: Ireland > Clonmel : Cashel Road, Ireland > Cootehill : Dromore West, Ireland > Donegal Town : R267, Ireland > Galway : Parkmore East Business Park, Ireland > Kilkenny : Kilkenny Business and Technology Park, Ireland > Longford : Lisnamuck, Ireland > Sligo : Finisklin Road
WORK SHIFT: Standard
TRAVEL: Yes, 50 % of the Time
MEDICAL SURVEILLANCE: Yes
SIGNIFICANT WORK ACTIVITIES: Not Applicable

Abbott is about the power of health. For more than 135 years, Abbott has been helping people reach their potential — because better health allows people and communities to achieve more. With a diverse, global network serving customers in more than 160 countries, we create new solutions — across the spectrum of health, around the world, for all stages of life. Whether it’s next‑generation diagnostics, life‑changing devices, science‑based nutrition, or novel reformulations, we are advancing some of the most innovative and revolutionary technologies in healthcare, helping people live their best lives through better health. The people of Abbott come to work each day with relentless energy, enthusiasm and a promise to enhance the health and well‑being of millions of people. They push the boundaries to help manage and treat some of life’s greatest health challenges. We invite you to explore opportunities at Abbott, to see if your talents and career aspirations may fit with our openings.

An equal opportunity employer, Abbott welcomes and encourages diversity in our workforce.

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