Chief Technical Officer (Engineering)

HRM Search Partners; Clarecastle; On-site; EUR 180,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

HRM Search Partners is assisting an established industrial solutions group with operations across Ireland and the UK to appoint an experienced Chief Technical Officer (Engineering focussed). The role leads Engineering, Project Delivery, Applications, R&D and Laboratory Services, shaping the technical and engineering direction of the business.

The CTO will join the executive leadership team and report to the Group CEO, driving safe, on-time delivery of complex capital projects and developing

Qualifications

• Degree in Chemical, Process or Mechanical Engineering (or equivalent).
• Chartered Engineer status desirable.
• Significant leadership experience within industrial manufacturing, process engineering or engineered solutions.
• Proven experience leading engineering, project delivery and technical functions.
• Demonstrated success delivering complex capital projects safely, on time and within budget.
• Experience building multidisciplinary technical teams across engineering, applications and project delivery.
• Strong commercial awareness with experience supporting customer-focused technical solutions.

Responsibilities

• Build a high-performing engineering and project delivery organisation.
• Establish robust project governance, planning and cost control.
• Deliver complex capital projects safely, on time and within budget.
• Develop engineering standards and project management methodologies.
• Develop Group expertise across key water treatment applications.
• Support commercial teams with customer-focused technical solutions.
• Develop future technical leaders within the organisation.
• Contribute to Group strategy as a member of the Executive Team.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Strategic thinking

Commercial judgement

Industrial engineering

Multi-site leadership

Acquisition integration

Process automation

Water treatment knowledge

Team development

Education

Degree in Chemical, Process or Mechanical Engineering

Chartered Engineer (desirable)

PM qualification (PMP/PRINCE2 or equivalent)

Job description

Our client is an established and ambitious industrial solutions group with a strong presence across Ireland and the UK. Operating in the critical sectors of water treatment, environmental safety and industrial chemical solutions, the business has built an excellent reputation for technical expertise, innovation and delivering high-quality, customer-focused solutions. With a strong foundation, a growing market presence and a clear strategy for continued expansion, the Group is entering an exciting phase of its development. This presents an exceptional opportunity for an experienced Chief Technical Officer (Engineering focussed) to join the executive leadership team, shape the future technical & engineering direction of the business and play a pivotal role in driving its next stage of growth.

The Chief Technical Officer is responsible for building the businesses technical capability and transforming it into a sustainable competitive advantage. The role leads Engineering, Project Delivery, Applications, R&D and Laboratory Services, ensuring the Group consistently delivers technically excellent solutions and complex capital projects safely, on time and within budget.

Working across Ireland and the UK, the CTO will strengthen project governance, develop technical standards, build organizational expertise in water treatment and management as well as support the commercial teams in delivering differentiated customer solutions. This is an executive level role with the CTO joining the groups senior leadership team and reporting to the group CEO.

Key Responsibilities

• Build a high-performing engineering and project delivery organisation.
• Establish robust project governance, planning and cost control.
• Deliver complex capital projects safely, on time and within budget.
• Develop engineering standards and project management methodologies.
• Develop Group expertise across key water treatment applications.
• Support commercial teams with customer-focused technical solutions.
• Develop application methodologies and technical best practice.
• Ensure technical knowledge is shared across the Group.
• Lead product evaluation and technical validation.
• Develop new technical capabilities supporting strategic growth.
• Identify emerging technologies and industry trends.
• Build technical partners with suppliers and OEMs.
• Lead laboratory and testing capability across the Group.
• Establish Group technical standards and procedures.
• Ensure technical compliance with industry requirements.
• Develop technical competency across engineering teams.
• Build and develop multidisciplinary technical teams.
• Foster collaboration across commercial and operational functions.
• Develop future technical leaders within the organisation.
• Contribute to Group strategy as a member of the Executive Team.

Qualifications & Experience

• Degree in Chemical, Process or Mechanical Engineering (or equivalent).
• Chartered Engineer status desirable.
• Project Management qualification (PMP, PRINCE2 or equivalent desirable).
• Significant leadership experience within industrial manufacturing, process engineering or engineered solutions.
• Proven experience leading engineering, project delivery and technical functions.
• Demonstrated success delivering complex capital projects safely, on time and within budget.
• Experience building multidisciplinary technical teams across engineering, applications and project delivery.
• Strong commercial awareness with experience supporting customer-focused technical solutions.
• Experience in industrial water treatment, speciality chemicals or process industries and/or experience within chemical manufacturing or other regulated industrial environments such as Pharma etc.
• Experience leading engineering functions across multiple sites or countries.
• Experience integrating technical teams following acquisitions.
• Knowledge of process automation, industrial instrumentation or water treatment technologies.
• Strategic thinker with exceptional engineering and commercial judgement.
• Inspires high-performing multidisciplinary technical teams.
• Builds robust project governance and execution disciplines.
• Strong influencing skills across commercial and operational functions.
• Delivery-focused with a passion for continuous improvement.