Construction Lead - Mechanical

Ward Personnel; Cork; On-site; EUR 69,000 - 124,000; Full time

Job summary

Ward Personnel is seeking a Project Lead – Mechanical for a Ringaskiddy-based role within a leading pharmaceutical client’s project delivery team. You will lead mechanical construction from design through commissioning in a live manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities include coordinating contractors, ensuring safety and quality, and driving right-first-time delivery across projects €500k to €40 million in value.

Qualifications

• Significant mechanical construction experience in regulated industries (pharma/life sciences).
• Experience delivering capital projects from concept through commissioning.
• Strong knowledge of mechanical systems, P&IDs, isometrics, specs and turnover docs.

Responsibilities

• Lead mechanical construction delivery across piping, HVAC, utilities and equipment install.
• Coordinate engineering and design activities with external teams and stakeholders.
• Manage interfaces with live plant operations and other contractors.
• Ensure compliance with drawings, specs, permits, RAMS and site procedures.
• Monitor progress, productivity, safety, quality and schedule; mitigate risks.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Project planning

Safety compliance

Quality management

Education

Mechanical Engineering

Construction Management

Related technical discipline

Construction Safety certification

Tools

P&IDs

Isometric drawings

Construction work packs

Inspection & testing

Job description

Location: Ringaskiddy, Cork
Contract Type: Hourly Rate Contract
Duration: Minimum 12 Months
Hours: 45 Hours per Week

About the Opportunity

Ward Personnel is recruiting on behalf of a leading pharmaceutical client for an experienced Project Lead – Mechanical to join their established project delivery team based in Ringaskiddy, Cork.

This is an excellent opportunity to work directly with the end client as part of an experienced and collaborative team of eight project professionals, supporting the delivery of an ongoing capital investment programme within a world-class manufacturing facility.

The successful candidate will play a key role in delivering a diverse portfolio of mechanical projects, with typical project values ranging from €500,000 up to €40 million, ensuring safe, compliant, and efficient execution from concept through to commissioning and handover.

The Role

The Construction Project Lead – Mechanical will form part of the client team, leading the delivery of predominantly mechanical construction scopes while ensuring all works are executed safely, compliantly, and in accordance with project requirements.

You will be responsible for managing mechanical construction activities from design coordination through installation, testing, commissioning, and handover, while coordinating contractors, engineering teams, vendors, and operational stakeholders within a live manufacturing environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead mechanical construction delivery across systems including piping, HVAC, utilities, process equipment installation, testing, and turnover.
• Lead engineering and design activities in collaboration with external design houses and project stakeholders.
• Coordinate contractors and vendors while managing interfaces with live plant operations.
• Ensure all construction activities are executed in compliance with drawings, specifications, standards, permits, RAMS, and site procedures.
• Monitor project progress, productivity, manpower, contractor performance, safety, quality, and schedule.
• Identify project risks and implement mitigation and recovery plans where required.
• Support material readiness, change control processes, technical query resolution, walkdowns, punch list management, and project handover activities.
• Ensure mechanical installations meet quality requirements and commissioning readiness milestones.
• Drive a strong culture of safety, compliance, and right-first-time delivery across all project activities.

Required Experience

• Significant mechanical construction experience within:
  • Pharmaceutical
  • Biopharmaceutical
  • Life Sciences
  • Industrial Manufacturing
  • Other highly regulated project environments
• Demonstrable experience delivering capital projects ranging from €500k to multi-million euro investments, ideally within complex operating facilities.
• Strong working knowledge of:
  • Mechanical systems
  • P&IDs
  • Isometric drawings
  • Mechanical specifications
  • Construction work packs
  • Inspection and testing requirements
  • Turnover and handover documentation
• Proven experience leading contractors and multidisciplinary project teams on small and medium-sized capital projects.
• Demonstrated ability to manage safety, quality, schedule, cost, and commissioning milestones effectively.
• Experience operating within live production environments is highly desirable.

Qualifications & Certifications

• Mechanical Engineering
• Construction Management
• Related technical discipline
• Construction Safety certification.
• Additional training or experience in:
  • Lifting Operations
  • Permit-to-Work Systems
  • Pressure Systems
  • Welding Quality Management

Core Competencies

Safety & Quality Leadership

Leads safe, compliant, and right-first-time mechanical construction activities with a strong focus on quality, inspection readiness, and regulatory compliance.

Mechanical Delivery Expertise

Strong understanding of mechanical systems, installation methodologies, construction sequencing, project constraints, and commissioning dependencies.

Project Execution

Applies structured planning, progress tracking, risk management, commercial awareness, and issue resolution to ensure successful project delivery.

Stakeholder Management

Builds effective working relationships with contractors, engineering teams, commissioning personnel, operations, quality, safety, and senior leadership.

Reporting & Interfaces

The role will typically report to the Construction Manager and/or Project Director and will work closely with:

• Procurement
• Quality Assurance
• Safety Teams
• Operations Personnel
• Contractors

What’s on Offer?

• Attractive hourly rate contract.
• Minimum 12-month duration with strong potential for extension.
• Join an established team of eight experienced project professionals.
• Work on an ongoing capital investment programme.
• Exposure to projects ranging from €500,000 to €40 million.
• Opportunity to lead a diverse portfolio of mechanical and process-related projects within a world-class pharmaceutical manufacturing facility.
• Collaborative, high-performing, and safety-focused project environment.