Engineering Manager

Sigmar Recruitment; Sligo; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Sigmar Recruitment is assisting a client in Sligo to recruit an Engineering Manager for a regulated manufacturing site. The role leads API engineering, drives continuous improvement, and ensures safe, compliant operations across teams and contractors.

The position requires a chemical engineering background with 7–10 years in pharma and at least 2 years in supervision, plus strong leadership and collaboration skills. Excellent salary and benefits are provided.

Qualifications

• Degree in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry or related field.
• 7–10 years in pharma with at least 2 years in supervision.
• Proven leadership, coaching and people development.
• Experience in pharmaceutical/biotech API manufacturing preferred.
• Experience with solvent handling, chemical processing or hazardous-area systems.
• Strong problem-solving and engineering decision-making.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management.
• Ability to lead safety, risk assessment and compliance.
• Budget, project and contractor management experience.

Responsibilities

• Establish goals, schedules, and plans with Ops Eng Manager.
• Lead API Engineering team and foster inclusive environment.
• Develop and maintain manufacturing equipment.
• Ensure equipment meets standards and safety requirements.
• Develop and implement CAPA plans with clear actions.
• Lead investigations and monitoring to improve performance.
• Drive equipment and process upgrades in CI environment.
• Develop monthly engineering metrics and reports.
• Manage budgets and CAPEX requests.
• Support audits and inspections.
• Promote safe working practices and compliance.
• Manage internal and external projects.
• Build relationships with contractors and service providers.
• Attend meetings and drive actions to completion.
• Collaborate across functions to resolve issues.

Skills

Leadership

People development

Communication

Problem-solving

Safety & compliance

Project management

Budget management

Contractor management

Cross-functional work

Pharma/API experience

Manufacturing operations

Solvent handling

Hazardous materials

Process optimization

Education

Degree in Chemical Engineering / Chemistry or related

Job description

Job Description

We have an exciting opportunity for Engineering Manager to join our client's engineering team at their site in Sligo. This is a varied engineering leadership role supporting safe, compliant and reliable manufacturing operations. We welcome candidates with experience in pharmaceutical, biotechnology, chemical processing or other highly regulated manufacturing environments, including those with a background in solvent handling, chemical process operations, hazardous-area engineering or complex process equipment. This is a full time permanent role with excellent salary and benefits.

Key Responsibilities

• Establish departmental goals, schedules and activity plans in partnership with the Operations Engineering Manager.
• Lead, support and develop the API Engineering team, creating an inclusive environment where people can perform at their best.
• Support the development, maintenance and improvement of manufacturing equipment.
• Ensure equipment performance meets applicable legal, divisional, corporate, quality and safety standards.
• Develop and implement appropriate CAPA plans, including clear actions, owners and timelines.
• Lead investigations and equipment-monitoring activities to improve manufacturing performance, reduce downtime and maximise plant output and yield.
• Drive equipment and process upgrades within a continuous improvement environment.
• Develop monthly engineering metrics and provide timely management reports.
• Manage engineering budgets and prepare capital expenditure requests as required.
• Support successful internal, external, divisional and corporate audits.
• Promote safe working practices and ensure compliance with site and company safety standards.
• Manage internal and external engineering and plant projects.
• Build effective working relationships with external contractors and service providers.
• Attend relevant meetings, communicate progress clearly and drive actions through to completion.
• Collaborate across functions to resolve technical issues and deliver sustainable improvements.

Qualifications

• Degree qualification or above in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry or a related scientific or engineering discipline.
• 7-10 years' experience in the pharmaceutical industry, including at least two years in an engineering supervisory or management role.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, coach and develop people.
• Previous experience in pharmaceutical, biotechnology is preferred. Experience supporting API manufacturing operations would be an advantage but is not essential.
• Experience leading engineering activities that support manufacturing operations, equipment reliability, maintenance, projects or continuous improvement.
• Experience with solvent handling, chemical processing, hazardous materials or complex process systems is highly relevant.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to make timely, well-informed engineering decisions.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to work effectively across technical and non-technical teams.
• Experience managing projects, budgets, contractors and cross-functional team.
• Strong understanding of safe working practices, risk assessment and compliance in environments involving chemicals, solvents or hazardous-area equipment.
• Experience managing projects, budgets, contractors and cross-functional stakeholders