Regional Mechanical Lead

Ward Personnel; Cork; Hybrid; EUR 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Bonus

Professional development support

Long-term career progression

Job summary

Ward Personnel is assisting a long-established Irish Tier 1 main contractor in appointing a Regional Mechanical Lead for the Southern Region. The role is hands-on, site-facing and hybrid, focusing on installation, commissioning and handover of mechanical systems.

You will lead subcontractors, manage budgets and schedules, and ensure high standards of safety and quality on large, complex projects across pharma, industrial and infrastructure sectors.

Qualifications

• Minimum 8–10+ years of mechanical experience in main contractor environments.
• Strong hands-on site delivery and leadership capabilities.
• Proven track record delivering mechanical installations end-to-end on large projects.
• Experience managing subcontractors and labour on site.
• Solid knowledge of HVAC, piping and utility systems; commissioning experience.

Responsibilities

• Own mechanical delivery across regional projects, including HVAC, plumbing and drainage, process and utility piping; ensure safe, on-time, on-budget installation.
• Lead mechanical subcontractors on site and coordinate with project teams to meet programme and quality targets.
• Oversee installation from first fix to handover, including testing, commissioning and documentation.
• Coordinate on-site with electrical, civil, structural, and architectural trades; support BIM and clash detection.
• Drive safety, RAMS reviews, and ITPs; manage high-risk activities and ensure QA.

Skills

Mechanical experience

Site leadership

HVAC systems

Commissioning

Subcontractor management

Health and safety

BMS and controls

BIM coordination

Education

Mechanical or Building Services Engineering degree

Trade background (pipefitter/plumber/HVAC tech)

Tools

Navisworks

BIM 360

Job description

Our client is a long-established Irish Tier 1 main contractor with a strong reputation for delivering large, complex projects across Ireland and the UK. The company works across the pharmaceutical, industrial, commercial and infrastructure sectors and has a busy pipeline of work in the Southern Region. Staff turnover is low, and the company is known for promoting its people and investing in their development.

The role

Our client is looking for a Regional Mechanical Lead to take ownership of mechanical delivery across projects in the Southern Region. This is a hands‑on, site‑facing and hybrid role for an engineer who has spent their career building and commissioning mechanical systems, not designing them. You will be the person who makes sure the mechanical package gets installed correctly, safely, on programme and within budget. You will lead subcontractors on site, resolve problems as they happen, and get systems through commissioning and handover.

You will work closely with Project Directors, Construction Managers and the wider site teams.

Key responsibilities

Site delivery and leadership

• Own mechanical delivery across regional projects, including HVAC, plumbing and drainage, process and utility piping, fire protection and specialist systems.
• Lead mechanical subcontractors on site, managing their performance, labour levels, sequencing and quality of workmanship.
• Plan and coordinate mechanical installation against the construction programme, identifying clashes, access issues and delays early.
• Mentor and support site engineers and supervisors on the mechanical side.
• Walk the job regularly and be the go‑to person for mechanical issues on site.

Installation, testing and commissioning

• Oversee installation from first fix through to final connections, making sure work matches approved drawings, specifications and method statements.
• Manage pressure testing, flushing, balancing, and pre‑commissioning activities.
• Drive the commissioning process with subcontractors, commissioning managers and the client team, including witnessing tests and resolving snags.
• Put together complete turnover packages, including test certificates, O&M manuals, as‑builts and QA documentation.

Technical coordination

• Review subcontractor shop drawings, technical submittals and material approvals from a buildability and installation point of view.
• Raise and manage RFIs with the design team, pushing for practical solutions that keep the job moving.
• Coordinate on site with electrical, civil, structural and architectural trades so services go in the right sequence.
• Support BIM coordination and clash detection reviews, with a focus on what can actually be built.

Safety and quality

• Lead by example on health and safety, reviewing RAMS for mechanical works and making sure safe systems of work are followed.
• Manage high‑risk activities such as lifting operations, hot works, work at height and live system tie‑ins.
• Run inspection and test plans (ITPs) and quality checks, and close out non‑conformances.

Commercial and reporting

• Work with the commercial team on subcontractor variations, valuations, programme claims and change control.
• Report progress, risks and issues to project leadership, and lead mechanical coordination meetings on site.
• Act as the mechanical contact for clients, consultants and inspectors.

What we're looking for

• 8 to 10+ years of mechanical experience within a main contractor or mechanical contractor environment.
• A strong site background, with a proven history of delivering mechanical installations from start to finish on large, complex projects.
• Hands‑on experience managing mechanical subcontractors and site labour.
• Solid practical knowledge of HVAC, piping and utility systems, including installation methods, testing and commissioning.
• Experience taking systems through commissioning, handover and client sign‑off.
• Good understanding of Irish construction health and safety legislation and site safety management.
• The confidence to lead on site, make decisions and deal directly with subcontractors, clients and design teams.
• A degree in Mechanical or Building Services Engineering, OR a trade background (such as a qualified pipefitter, plumber or HVAC technician) who has moved up into engineering or construction management roles.
• Valid Safe Pass and Manual Handling certification.
• Experience in pharmaceutical, life sciences, food and beverage, data centre or advanced manufacturing projects.
• Exposure to cleanroom, GMP or validation environments.
• BMS and controls experience.
• Experience with commercial processes, including subcontract management and cost control.
• Familiarity with BIM coordination tools such as Navisworks or BIM 360.
• SSSTS/SMSTS, IOSH or a similar site safety management qualification.
• Engineers Ireland or CIBSE membership.

What's on offer

• Health insurance
• Bonus
• Professional development and support toward chartership
• Long‑term career progression with a leading Irish Tier 1 contractor