Senior Project Engineer - Utility Systems

Life Science Recruitment; Dublin; On-site; EUR 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Life Science Recruitment in Dublin is seeking a Plant Utilities Project Engineer to lead client-side technical ownership of plant utility systems throughout construction, startup and commissioning. You will drive technical decisions, coordinate with design, construction and site operations, and ensure readiness for transfer to operations.

The role requires extensive experience with GMP facilities, strong leadership, and hands-on field engineering skills to resolve issues and deliver compliant,

Qualifications

• 8–10 years of experience in building services design, construction, and commissioning in the life sciences sector.
• Degree-level qualification in Building Services Engineering or Mechanical Engineering.
• Chartered status preferred but not required.
• Comprehensive understanding of MEP systems within GMP facilities.
• Ability to coordinate multidisciplinary engineering teams and lead design reviews.
• Strong working knowledge of IS, EN, CIBSE, ASHRAE codes.

Responsibilities

• Act as client-side technical lead with project delivery ownership from construction through startup and handover.
• Use P&IDs, equipment data and controls to deliver plant utility systems.
• Coordinate design, construction and site operations priorities with multiple stakeholders.
• Communicate progress, risks and required support to project teams.
• Provide hands-on field engineering support during installation, commissioning and startup.
• Review RFIs and field changes with designers, contractors and vendors.
• Verify installations against design specs and applicable standards.
• Support commissioning and operational readiness activities.
• Coordinate interfaces with Electrical, BMS/Automation, HVAC and other disciplines.
• Troubleshoot equipment and system performance with CQV and Operations teams.
• Maintain ownership through handover and ensure safe, maintainable systems.

Skills

Project management

Field engineering

Stakeholder coordination

Communication skills

Education

Degree-level qualification in Building Services Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent

Professional registration or chartered status preferred

Tools

P&IDs

GMP knowledge

Job description

We’re currently recruiting for an exciting opportunity with an award-winning Pharmaceutical organization based in Dublin. This is an excellent position for anyone who is looking to join a leading multinational who are one of the best at what they do.

The Plant Utilities Project Engineer is a site-based role to provide client-side focused technical ownership and field engineering support for the new plant utility systems during construction, installation, startup, commissioning and operational readiness.

The engineer will take technical ownership of assigned plant utility systems from construction phase through Mechanical Completion, startup, commissioning, operational readiness and final transfer to Site operations.

The principal systems include:

• Air compressors, dryers and distribution
• Cooling Water and Cooling Towers
• Chilled Water
• Potable Water
• Domestic Hot Water
• Safety Shower systems
• Heat Recovery systems
• Associated pumps, vessels, heat exchangers, piping, valves, instrumentation, controls/BMS and equipment interfaces

Duties:

• Act as client-side technical lead with project delivery ownership of assigned plant utility systems from construction through startup, commissioning, operational readiness and final handover.
• Using strong technical knowledge of system design intent, P&IDs, equipment, piping, controls, interfaces and operating requirements to deliver the systems.
• Self-starter with the ability to investigate and implement solutions to challenges between design, construction & site operations priorities and the ability to coordinate multiple stakeholders
• Using excellent communication skills to manage deliverables and report out on progress including identifying support required, priorities & risks
• Provide hands-on field engineering support, monitoring installation and proactively identifying and resolving technical, constructability, quality and operability issues.
• Review and resolve RFIs, technical queries, field changes and deviations, coordinating with designers, contractors, vendors and SMEs as required.
• Verify equipment and piping installations against approved design, specifications, vendor requirements and applicable standards.
• Support equipment installation, tie-ins, inspections, walkdowns, punch closure and Mechanical Completion of plant utility systems.
• Confirm system readiness for pressure testing, flushing, cleaning, filling, water treatment, startup and commissioning.
• Coordinate utility interfaces with Electrical, BMS/Automation, HVAC, CSA, Process Utilities and other disciplines.
• Provide hands-on startup and commissioning support, working with vendors, Construction, CQV and Operations to troubleshoot equipment and system performance issues.
• Verify system hydraulic and operational performance, including flow, pressure, temperature, balancing, controls and equipment operation, and drive deficiencies through to resolution.
• Maintain system ownership through operational readiness and transfer of care, custody and control, ensuring outstanding technical and punch items are appropriately closed or managed.
• Support Operations and Maintenance readiness, including training, maintenance requirements, vendor support and knowledge transfer, ensuring systems are safe, functional, maintainable and ready for operation.

Education and Experience:

• Minimum 8-10 years of experience in building services design, construction, and commissioning in the life sciences sector.
• Degree-level qualification in Building Services Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent.
• Professional registration or chartered status preferred but not required.
• Comprehensive understanding of MEP systems within GMP and regulated facilities.
• Ability to coordinate multidisciplinary engineering teams and lead design reviews.
• Strong working knowledge of relevant codes and standards (IS, EN, CIBSE, ASHRAE).