Materials Engineer

Thornton Tomasetti; Kilkenny; On-site; EUR 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Family health insurance

Excellent pension scheme

Career development

Job summary

Abbott Diabetes Care Kilkenny is expanding its technical services team. The role supports introducing new materials and troubleshooting material-related challenges to optimise yield and OEE across daily operations.

You will collaborate with Validation, PMO, Operations, and Global Engineering to sustain materials and drive continuous improvement. The role emphasises problem-solving using structured methods, LEAN principles, and data analysis, with focus on cross-functional collaboration and

Qualifications

• Minimum NFQ Level 8 in Science/Engineering or equivalent.
• At least 5 years in a manufacturing environment with GxP experience preferred.
• Experience resolving technical challenges on high-volume automation lines.

Responsibilities

• Identify root causes of component-related manufacturing issues.
• Develop DOEs and analyze data for continuous improvement.
• Run empirical analyses to support data-driven decisions.
• Support site operations to resolve material challenges and meet KPI targets.
• Assist in QA/validation related to material changes and CAPA.
• Provide technical guidance to engineers and mentor juniors.

Skills

Root cause analysis

LEAN methodologies

Data-driven decision making

Education

NFQ Level 8 in Science/Engineering

Tools

6M

Ishikawa

DMAIC

Job description

JOB DESCRIPTION

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 114,000 colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries. 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 114,000 colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries. Abbott in Ireland Abbott has been operating in Ireland since 1946 and serves the Irish market with a diverse range of healthcare products including diagnostics, diabetes care, medical devices and nutritional products. In Ireland, Abbott currently employs about 6,000 people across ten sites located in Dublin, Donegal, Clonmel, Cootehill, Galway, Kilkenny, Longford and Sligo.

Please note any offer of employment for this position isconditional upon the successful completionof a pre-employment medical examination, including drug and alcohol screening, conducted by a medical practitioner designated by the Company.

Abbott Diabetes Care Kilkenny Abbott Diabetes Care has opened a new site, in Kilkenny, that is at the forefront of Diabetes care with the latest technology, to manufacture FreeStyle blood glucose test strips and FreeStyle Sensors for use in diabetes management. Among Abbott Diabetes Care leading brands are the FreeStyle Precision, FreeStyle Lite and FreeStyle Libre systems.

MAIN PURPOSE OF ROLE

Works with the Materials Engineering Manager and wider Technical Services team, to support the introduction of new or changed materials/components to the site. Helps to trouble-shoot and resolve material related challenges for the site, by completing investigations, determining root cause, reporting out findings and proposing solutions. Identifies component-related opportunities to optimise yield and OEE for daily operations and supports sustaining of materials / components for the site. Works closely with various stakeholders including, but not limited to: Validation, PMO, Operations, Global Engineering and Quality.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

• Identify root cause of component-related manufacturing issues using structured problem-solving techniques.
• Develop DOEs (Design of Experiments), complete testing and analyse data for continuous improvement activities and report out findings.
• Run empirical and experimental analysis and use data to make decisions.
• Support site Ops to resolve material related challenges and deliver the output as per site goals
• Support Validation activities related to material changes
• Support R&D material trials and provide feedback
• Monitor performance of parts and drive the performance related actions
• Evaluate proposed changes and alternative components/designs.
• Assist in the resolution of Quality Incidents and CAPA
• Bring materials related learnings from line 1 to future lines
• Apply LEAN methodologies to drive operational excellence
• Support the delivery of site specific KPI’s and reporting, including maintaining visual dashboards.
• Participate in cross-functional activities as necessary, to ensure continual improvement, safety and compliance.
• Analyse complex processes and problems and identify areas of improvement and risk.
• Analyse data to identify trends and potential improvements, ensuring compliance with industry standards and global regulations.
• Suggest and support new methods or materials for continual improvement of quality and efficiency.
• Provide technical support to other engineers within the group and mentor and develop junior associates.
• Support relevant site teams for BOMs and Agile related work
• Learn, challenge, develop and maintain a working knowledge of Abbott Quality Policy and Procedures

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• Minimum NFQ Level 8 in Science/Engineering or a relevant qualification.
• Minimum 5 years Working in a manufacturing environment – GxP experience preferred Working with materials/components (incl. electrical, moulded and/or mechanical) Resolving technical challenges on a High-volume automation line.
• Using 6M, Ishikawa, DMAIC or other root cause analysis tools Six-Sigma

What we Offer

Attractive compensation package that includes competitive pay, as well as benefits such as Family health insurance, Excellent pension scheme Life assurance Career Development Fantastic new facility Growing business plus access to many more benefits.

Connect with us at www.abbott.com and on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube. Abbott is an equal opportunities employer. The base pay for this position is N/A In specific locations, the pay range may vary from the range posted.

JOB FAMILY

Engineering DIVISION: ADC Diabetes Care LOCATION: Ireland > Kilkenny : Kilkenny Business and Technology Park ADDITIONAL LOCATIONS: WORK SHIFT: Ie - Kkyflx (Ireland) TRAVEL: Not specified MEDICAL SURVEILLANCE: Not Applicable 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. 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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