Mechanical Lead

Life Science Recruitment Ltd; Connacht; Hybrid; EUR 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Life Science Recruitment Ltd is recruiting a Senior Mechanical Lead for a major pharmaceutical capital expansion in Athlone. The role is initially a 12-month contract with potential extension, based on performance.

Hybrid work: 4 days onsite, 1 day remote. You will provide mechanical technical leadership across construction, installation, mechanical completion and handover activities, overseeing EPCM partners and subcontractors to ensure milestones are met and GMP compliance is maintained.

Qualifications

• This is a senior client-side Mechanical Lead role in a pharmaceutical capital expansion.
• Degree in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent is required.
• Minimum 10 years' experience delivering pharmaceutical construction projects.
• Experience managing EPCM partners and subcontractors and delivering HVAC, utilities and MEP scopes.
• Strong knowledge of mechanical completion, turnover documentation and GMP environments.

Responsibilities

• Act as the client's Mechanical Lead across multiple work packages.
• Oversee mechanical construction, installation and handover activities.
• Manage EPCM partners, contractors and subcontractors to meet milestones.
• Coordinate interfaces between engineering, CQV and manufacturing operations.
• Lead constructability reviews, sequencing and issue resolution.
• Monitor quality, safety and GMP compliance; manage turnover activities.
• Prepare progress reports on programme, risks and contractor performance.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

GMP awareness

Stakeholder management

Problem solving

Education

Degree in Mechanical Engineering

10+ years in pharmaceutical construction

EPCM/MEP coordination experience

PMP/PRINCE2/NEBOSH beneficial

Job description

Mechanical Lead | Pharmaceutical Capital Expansion | Athlone
Contract: 12 months initially, with intention to extend
Location: Athlone, Ireland
Hybrid: 4 days onsite, 1 day remote

We’re currently recruiting for a Mechanical Lead to support a major pharmaceutical manufacturing expansion in Athlone.

The position forms part of a substantial brownfield retrofit programme to establish additional oral solid-dose manufacturing capacity.

This is a senior client-side opportunity, providing mechanical technical leadership across construction, installation, mechanical completion and handover activities.

• Act as the client's Mechanical Lead, overseeing mechanical construction and installation across multiple work packages.
• Manage EPCM partners, mechanical contractors and subcontractors to ensure delivery against programme milestones.
• Oversee demolition, HVAC, MEP, utilities and pharmaceutical equipment installation.
• Coordinate interfaces between engineering, construction, CQV and manufacturing operations.
• Lead constructability reviews, construction sequencing and technical issue resolution.
• Monitor installation quality, mechanical completion, safety performance and GMP compliance.
• Manage mechanical turnover activities, including walkdowns, quality documentation, test packs and punch-list closure.
• Ensure successful handover of mechanical systems into commissioning, qualification and operations.
• Provide structured reporting on programme progress, risks, resources and contractor performance.

Mechanical Lead | Pharmaceutical Capital Expansion | Athlone
Contract: 12 months initially, with intention to extend
Location: Athlone, Ireland
Hybrid: 4 days onsite, 1 day remote

We’re currently recruiting for a Mechanical Lead to support a major pharmaceutical manufacturing expansion in Athlone.

The position forms part of a substantial brownfield retrofit programme to establish additional oral solid-dose manufacturing capacity.

This is a senior client-side opportunity, providing mechanical technical leadership across construction, installation, mechanical completion and handover activities.

• Act as the client's Mechanical Lead, overseeing mechanical construction and installation across multiple work packages.
• Manage EPCM partners, mechanical contractors and subcontractors to ensure delivery against programme milestones.
• Oversee demolition, HVAC, MEP, utilities and pharmaceutical equipment installation.
• Coordinate interfaces between engineering, construction, CQV and manufacturing operations.
• Lead constructability reviews, construction sequencing and technical issue resolution.
• Monitor installation quality, mechanical completion, safety performance and GMP compliance.
• Manage mechanical turnover activities, including walkdowns, quality documentation, test packs and punch-list closure.
• Ensure successful handover of mechanical systems into commissioning, qualification and operations.
• Provide structured reporting on programme progress, risks, resources and contractor performance.

Education & Experience
• Degree in Mechanical Engineering or a relevant engineering discipline.
• Minimum 10 years' experience delivering pharmaceutical construction projects.
• Demonstrated mechanical leadership experience across large-scale capital projects.
• Strong background managing EPCM partners and mechanical subcontractors.
• Experience delivering HVAC, utilities, MEP and equipment installation packages.
• Proven knowledge of mechanical completion, construction quality and turnover documentation.
• Experience coordinating construction delivery with CQV teams in GMP environments.
• Excellent stakeholder management, technical problem-solving and reporting capabilities.
• Client-side or owner-representative experience is highly advantageous.
• PMP, PRINCE2, NEBOSH or equivalent certification would be beneficial.

This opportunity will suit an experienced Mechanical Lead or Mechanical Construction Manager seeking a client-side position on a significant pharmaceutical capital programme.

For further information, please contact Seán McCarthy on [phone] or [e-mail].