Senior Design Engineer (Water)

Manpower - Ireland; Kilkenny; Hybrid; EUR 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Manpower - Ireland in Kilkenny is seeking a Senior Design Engineer (Water) to lead the design and delivery of major water and wastewater projects. This hybrid role focuses on technical excellence and team leadership within Ireland’s water sector.

As a senior member of the design team, you will mentor engineers, review calculations and drawings, influence project standards, and coordinate with clients, regulators and multidisciplinary teams to deliver compliant, efficient water infrastructure.

Qualifications

• Degree (Level 8/9) in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent.
• Minimum 7 years' experience in mechanical design engineering with progression to a senior technical role.
• Water/Wastewater treatment industry experience essential.
• Proven leadership of engineering teams.
• Strong experience in water treatment plant design and hydraulic systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of design engineers, providing technical guidance.
• Conduct design reviews and approve calculations, drawings and equipment specs.
• Coordinate cross-disciplinary design activities to ensure on-time project delivery.
• Develop innovative water and wastewater treatment solutions and plant layouts.
• Engage with clients and stakeholders to support tender submissions and project delivery.

Skills

Water/Wastewater experience

Technical leadership

Mechanical design

Hydraulic design

Pumping systems

Education

Degree in Mechanical Engineering (Level 8/9)

Job description

Senior Design Engineer (Water)

Location: Kilkenny (Hybrid Working)
Permanent | Full-Time

Lead the Future of Water Infrastructure

Due to continued growth and success our client is seeking an experienced Senior Design Engineer (Water) to join their expanding team in Kilkenny.

This is a key leadership position for an accomplished engineering professional with extensive experience in the Water and Wastewater Treatment industry. You will play a pivotal role in guiding technical excellence across major infrastructure projects while mentoring and leading a team of engineers in the delivery of innovative water treatment solutions across Ireland.

As a senior member of the Design Team, you will act as a technical authority, driving best practice, overseeing complex engineering designs, and influencing project delivery from concept through to completion.

Water industry experience is essential for this role.

The Opportunity

This role offers the chance to:

• Lead the design and delivery of large-scale water and wastewater treatment projects
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to a team of mechanical design engineers
• Influence engineering standards, design quality, and project outcomes
• Work closely with clients, stakeholders, and multidisciplinary engineering teams
• Join a market-leading organisation renowned for innovation within the water sector
• Develop your career within a growing business delivering critical water infrastructure projects

Key Responsibilities

Technical Leadership & Team Development

• Lead and mentor a team of design engineers, providing technical guidance and support
• Conduct technical design reviews and approve engineering calculations, construction drawings, and equipment specifications
• Share best practice and support the ongoing professional development of engineering team members
• Coordinate design activities across multidisciplinary teams to ensure successful project delivery

Design & Project Delivery

• Develop innovative design solutions for water and wastewater treatment infrastructure
• Lead hydraulic design, equipment selection, process optimisation, plant layouts, and P&ID development
• Act as the technical authority on mechanical and hydraulic engineering matters throughout project life-cycles
• Carry out and validate engineering calculations for system performance, pump sizing, hydraulic analysis, and equipment specification
• Ensure compliance with all relevant technical standards, quality plans, and regulatory requirements

Client & Stakeholder Management

• Lead technical engagement with clients from feasibility and concept stages through to project completion
• Represent the business at client meetings, design workshops, and technical presentations
• Support tender submissions and proposal development with expert technical input
• Build strong working relationships with suppliers, contractors, and project stakeholders

About You

We are seeking a senior engineering professional who combines strong technical expertise with proven leadership capability.

Essential Requirements

• Degree (Level 8/9) in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent discipline
• Minimum 7 year's experience in mechanical design engineering with progression to a senior technical role
• Water/Wastewater Treatment Industry experience (essential)
• Proven experience leading and guiding engineering teams
• Strong expertise in:
• Water treatment plant design
• Wastewater treatment systems
• Pumping systems
• Mechanical process equipment
• Hydraulic design and system analysis

Experience selecting and specifying equipment including:

• Pumps
• Valves
• Mixers
• Aerators
• Screens
• Associated treatment equipment

Strong knowledge of Irish Water, NI Water, EPA guidelines, and relevant engineering standards

Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills

Why Join Us?

This is an excellent opportunity for a senior engineer who is passionate about the water sector and enjoys leading teams, driving technical excellence, and delivering impactful infrastructure projects.

If you are looking to take ownership of complex projects, influence engineering strategy, and help shape the future of water and wastewater treatment across Ireland, we'd love to hear from you.