Senior Engineer

publicjobs; Galway; On-site; EUR 85,000 - 103,000; Full time

Job summary

Galway City Council seeks a Senior Engineer to lead policy implementation, service delivery and change management within a dynamic local government setting. The role reports to a Director of Service and works with the Senior Management Team to deliver strategic objectives and climate action initiatives.

The candidate will possess a high standard of engineering experience, strong leadership, and a track record of delivering projects on time and within budget.

Qualifications

• Honours bachelor’s degree in Engineering (level 8) or equivalent, accredited.
• Master’s degree in Engineering or equivalent
• Minimum eight years' engineering experience with leadership responsibility
• Experience in public sector or local government is desirable

Responsibilities

• Lead on policy implementation and service delivery across directorates.
• Set targets, KPIs and develop annual service plans.
• Manage a portfolio of capital projects and co-ordinate with external agencies.
• Promote safe work practices and ensure compliance with governance policies.
• Collaborate with elected members and senior management to deliver services.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Public service knowledge

Education

Honours bachelor’s degree in Engineering (level 8)

Master’s degree in Engineering

Job description

Job title: Senior Engineer

Employer: Galway City Council

Location: Galway

Closing Date: 3pm, Thursday, 10th September 2026

Starting Salary: €93,698

About the Employer:

The Local Government sector in Ireland is made up of 31 Local Authorities and 3 Regional Assemblies. Local Authorities are the closest and most accessible form of Government to citizens. They have responsibility for delivery of a wide range of services in their local area with a focus on making cities, towns and countryside attractive places to live, work and invest. These services make a significant contribution to the physical, cultural, social and environmental development of communities. Local Authorities also play a key role in promoting social inclusion and quality of life and in supporting economic development and enterprise promotion at a local level.

Galway is a city in the West of Ireland in the province of Connacht. Galway lies on the River Corrib between Lough Corrib and Galway Bay and is surrounded by the administrative area of Galway County Council. Galway City Council is the local authority for the city. It is the fourth most populous urban area in the Republic of Ireland and the sixth most populous city in the island of Ireland.

Galway, as the largest urban centre in the West, is also a key driver of economic development and competitiveness in the region and the city has the potential to drive growth at a national level. Galway has a strong local economy with complementary business sectors, including manufacturing industry, tourism, retail and distribution, education, healthcare, and services that include financial, cultural, construction and professional.

About the Role:

Reporting to a Director of Service, the Senior Engineer is charged with the efficient management, direction and development of the directorates/departments and functions to which they are assigned. Managers at this level work within defined parameters relevant to the position, in accordance with Galway City Council’s vision and objectives as set out in its Corporate Plan. Delivery of efficient services and value for money is crucial.

The Senior Engineer will be required to work closely with the Senior Management Team and Elected Members to deliver the full range of services, implement local policy decisions and deliver on strategic corporate objectives and in accordance with the general policy direction of the elected council. Recognising Local Government as the main vehicle of governance and public service, the role will involve leading economic, social and community development, delivering efficient and good value services, and representing citizens and local communities effectively and accountably.

The Senior Engineer is an experienced managerial position responsible for leading on policy implementation, service delivery and change management in a dynamic and goal driven environment. The role offers the opportunity to demonstrate leadership, innovation, agility, and a commitment to customer service. The role of Senior Engineer in Galway City Council is an excellent opportunity to engage with the active delivery of strategic policy including contributing to a multi-disciplinary approach to Climate Action.

The Senior Engineer duties include but are not limited to the following:

• To understand, interpret and implement the legislative provisions, policy context and operational environment within which the statutory functions and operating requirements of the local authority operates.
• To determine the nature, level and pattern of demand for the service in the directorate/function and to recommend both service level and strategic policy priorities to the Director of Service.
• To implement the agreed strategies to meet and to expand or improve the range, quantity or quality of existing services and to recommend changes in strategies as required.
• To implement the requirements of the ’Putting People First: Action Programme for Effective Local Government’ the Local Government Reform Act 2014 and Better Public Services – Public Service Transformation 2030 Strategy.
• To support the work of the Strategic Policy Committees (SPCs) and Corporate Policy Group (CPG).
• To achieve and maintain the productive association between Elected Members and the executive delivery of the service.
• To develop and maintain relationships with government departments and external agencies in accordance with policy and to ensure the agreements to co‑ordinate work programmes are implemented.
• To achieve and maintain similar co‑operation with local development agencies in accordance with evolving policy on the integration of local government and local and community development.
• To work effectively with colleagues to deliver services, often as part of a multi disciplinary team, collaborating and engaging with other teams within the organisation to deliver on the corporate objectives.
• To collaborate and engage through cross-disciplinary working to deliver for our public, innovate for the future of local government and develop the people within the organisation.
• To set targets, objectives, reporting and key performance indicators and to assist with the development of corporate plans, strategies and annual service plans.
• To identify and agree work programmes, targets and deadlines and ensure their subsequent implementation.
• To implement the systems necessary and co‑ordinate the resources to support the service. This includes systems for budgetary and financial management, procurement and internal controls and to provide information on the pattern of demand and activity, and to schedule work programmes and to ensure value for money.
• To manage a portfolio of projects including capital projects and to prioritise and track progress.
• To research funding opportunities.
• To lead in the duties as part of the organisational response to Climate Action, to promote and ensure capacity building, empowering change and delivering action.
• To problem solve in an environment of complex information and multiple stakeholders remaining aware of what information is critical, working to a solution in a logical fashion and understanding the context and impact of decisions made.
• To have a good awareness of the political environment and an ability to work effectively with elected public representatives in a manner which facilitates the implementation of policy across a wide range of areas.
• Where appropriate to consult and communicate clearly with stakeholders regarding ongoing works including capital works.
• To manage and supervise employees up to the position/grade of Senior Executive Engineer or analogous grades and to ensure the training and development of such employees.
• To provide leadership and build effective teams, develop motivation and commitment, and maintain sound employee relations and morale in accordance with good employment practice and relevant legislation.
• To promote safe work practices in the local authority generally and to ensure that all works in the areas for which you have responsibility are carried out in line with health safety and welfare legislation and regulation.
• To ensure compliance with corporate policies (Health and Safety, HR, Data Protection, Child Safeguarding etc.).
• To ensure good governance whilst acting in the public interest at all times.
• To uphold the corporate values of Local Government and the Council.
• To deputise for the Director of Services as required.
• To undertake any other duties of a similar level and responsibilities as may be required from time to time.

About You:

(a) (i) hold an honours bachelors degree (level 8 in the National Framework of Qualifications) in Engineering accredited at CEng or CEng with FL level by Engineers Ireland;

OR (ii) hold an ordinary bachelors degree (level 7 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ)) in Engineering AND a post‑graduate masters degree (level 9 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ)) in Engineering;

OR (iii) hold a masters degree (level 9 in the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ)) in Engineering attained after completing an integrated masters level programme of at least 4 years duration and which is accredited at CEng level by Engineers Ireland or an equivalent accreditation body internationally;

OR (iv) have achieved the registered professional title of Chartered Engineer and be registered on the Register of Chartered Engineers of Engineers Ireland or of a professional institute of another country and recognised by Engineers Ireland as of equivalent status;

(b) have at least eight years satisfactory engineering experience, including a period of not less than six years satisfactory experience in the direction and supervision of major engineering work;

(c) possess a high standard of technical training and experience and of administrative experience;

(d) have satisfactory experience at strategic management level;

(e) have a satisfactory knowledge of public service organisation or the ability to acquire such knowledge.

Further information including details on how the Capability Framework for this position is available on www.publicjobs.ie.

The closing date for receipt of completed applications is 3pm on Thursday, 10th September, 2026.

We are committed to a policy of equal opportunity and encourage applications under all nine grounds of the Employment Equality Act.