Director of Engineering - Energy Infrastructure

Harper Finley Professional Recruitment; Dublin; Hybrid; EUR 100,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Job summary

Harper Finley Professional Recruitment's client in Dublin seeks a Head of Technical Development to lead the engineering function from concept through to construction. This senior role sets technical direction across energy centres, heat networks and customer connections, overseeing a growing multidisciplinary team.

Hybrid work with at least 3 days in the Dublin office; €100,000-€120,000 DOE; permanent position.

Qualifications

• Degree in Mechanical/Bulding Services/Energy Systems or related discipline.
• 10+ years in energy, utilities or related infra.
• 3+ years leading technical teams.
• Experience taking projects from concept through construction.
• Strong knowledge of thermal systems, energy centres and networks.
• Experience with contracts, risk and cost impact on project economics.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the technical team across energy centre, network and customer connection design.
• Own technical development from initial concept through to construction-ready design.
• Set technical standards, design principles and stage-gate requirements.
• Oversee energy modelling, heat demand, hydraulic modelling and technology options.
• Manage consultants, suppliers and contractors including tenders and evaluations.
• Own CAPEX and OPEX assumptions and input to financial models.
• Support planning, funding applications and technical due diligence.
• Ensure design risk management, compliance and smooth handover to construction.
• Act as senior technical authority presenting to leadership, investors and stakeholders.
• Drive continuous improvement across standards and processes.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Energy systems

Thermal modelling

Project cost awareness

Construction contracts

Team management

Communication

Education

Engineering degree

Job description

Head of Technical Development

Location: Dublin

Salary: €100,000-€120,000 DOE

Job Type: Full-time | Permanent

Our client is a rapidly growing energy infrastructure business developing large-scale low-carbon heating projects across Ireland. They are now looking to appoint an experienced Head of Technical Development to lead the engineering function from early-stage concept and feasibility through to construction.

This is a senior technical leadership role, responsible for setting the technical direction across energy centres, heat networks and customer connections, while leading a growing multidisciplinary team.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the technical team across energy centre, network and customer connection design.
• Own technical development from initial concept and feasibility through to construction-ready design.
• Set technical standards, design principles and stage-gate requirements across the project pipeline.
• Oversee energy modelling, heat demand assessments, hydraulic modelling and technology options.
• Manage technical consultants, suppliers and contractors, including scopes, tenders and technical evaluations.
• Own technical CAPEX and OPEX assumptions and provide technical input into project financial models.
• Support planning, funding applications, customer agreements and technical due diligence.
• Ensure appropriate design risk management, compliance and effective handover into construction.
• Act as the senior technical authority, presenting technical proposals, risks and recommendations to senior leadership, investors and external stakeholders.
• Drive continuous improvement across technical standards, processes and project development.

Requirements

• Degree qualified in Mechanical Engineering, Building Services Engineering, Energy Systems, Civil Engineering or a related discipline.
• 10+ years' experience in energy, utilities or comparable infrastructure, including 3+ years leading technical teams.
• Proven experience taking projects from early concept and feasibility through to construction.
• Strong knowledge of thermal systems, energy centres, heat networks, thermal storage, hydraulic modelling and building connections.
• Strong understanding of construction contracts, design responsibility and project risk.
• Commercially minded, with an understanding of how technical assumptions influence project costs and returns.
• Experience procuring and managing consultants, suppliers and contractors.
• Strong leadership, communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience within the Irish energy, utilities or infrastructure sector would be advantageous.
• Experience with large-scale heat pumps, heat recovery, geothermal or grant-funded infrastructure projects would also be beneficial.

Offer

• €100,000-€120,000 salary, depending on experience.
• Full-time, permanent position.
• Hybrid working, with a minimum of 3 days per week in the Dublin office.
• 21 days annual leave.
• Senior leadership position within a growing energy infrastructure business.
• Opportunity to shape the technical function and major projects from concept through to delivery.
• Opportunity to play a key role in Ireland's transition towards low-carbon energy.