Mechanical Project Manager

Morgan McKinley; Cork; On-site; EUR 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Morgan McKinley in Cork is seeking an experienced Mechanical Project Manager to own a portfolio of site-based mechanical projects, from initial funding through design, procurement, installation, commissioning, and closeout.

You will drive 4-6 concurrent projects, manage budgets and scope changes, and ensure compliance with cGMP and safety standards on a heavily regulated site.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of hands-on PM/Project Engineer experience in pharma/biopharma or regulated environments.
• Led cradle-to-grave projects from funding to commissioning.
• Strong mechanical utility systems knowledge (WFI, purified water, HVAC, process piping).
• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Chemical Engineering.
• Excellent stakeholder management and vendor negotiation.

Responsibilities

• Drive 4-6 mechanical projects concurrently from concept to handover and qualification.
• Develop detailed cost estimates, manage budgets, secure funding, and control scope changes.
• Plan and schedule detailed project timelines with minimal disruption to site operations.
• Perform risk assessments and mitigate bottlenecks while upholding cGMP and safety.
• Oversee vendors, select suppliers, and manage on-site installation teams.

Skills

Project management

Stakeholder management

Vendor negotiation

Regulatory compliance

Risk management

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or Chemical Engineering

Job description

We are seeking an experienced Mechanical Project Manager to join a global biopharmaceutical leader at their site in Cork. In this role, you will hold end-to-end accountability for a diverse portfolio of site-based capital and operational mechanical projects. Managing 4 to 6 concurrent projects, you will lead cross-functional efforts from initial capital funding requests through design, procurement, installation, commissioning, and final closeout.

Key Responsibilities

• End-to-End Ownership: Drive 4-6 mechanical projects simultaneously from initial concept, funding approval, and scoping through to handover and qualification.
• Financial & Scope Control: Develop detailed project cost estimates, manage project budgets, secure capital funding, and control scope changes throughout the project lifecycle.
• Planning & Scheduling: Build and execute detailed project schedules, ensuring minimal disruption to active site operations and ongoing utility systems.
• Risk & Quality Management: Perform risk assessments, identify potential project bottlenecks, and implement mitigation plans while adhering to strict cGMP, safety, and regulatory standards.
• Vendor & Contractor Oversight: Lead vendor selection, procure specialist equipment, and manage third-party engineering contractors, equipment suppliers, and installation crews on site.

Sample Project Portfolio

• Engineering, installation, and commissioning of industrial process wastewater filtration systems.
• Upgrading and optimizing city water filtration and utility purification systems.
• Life-cycle replacement and efficiency upgrades for office space HVAC and environment control systems.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Experience: Minimum 5 years of hands‑on experience as a Project Manager or Project Engineer delivering mechanical projects within pharmaceutical, biopharma, medical device, or heavy industrial regulated environments.
• Lifecycle Mastery: Demonstrated track record of full cradle‑to‑grave project execution (must have personally taken projects from funding through commissioning).
• Technical Skills: Strong background in mechanical utility systems (WFI, purified water, HVAC, process pipework, and wastewater treatment).
• Education: Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Communication: Exceptional stakeholder management and vendor negotiation skills.