Location
Ireland (Woodco HQ office based with site visits as required)
Start Date
Feb 2026
Reporting to
Technical Director - Biomass
Role Mandate
This role exists to support and strengthen the engineering and project delivery of Woodco's biomass and thermal energy business. The Project Engineer – Mechanical will act as a key mechanical engineering contributor on biomass boiler and hot water heating projects and will manage assigned projects through the delivery lifecycle, with responsibility for technical execution, safety compliance, programme coordination, and quality of installation.
The role provides strong exposure to end-to-end project delivery within Woodco's renewable heat business, working closely with the Technical Director and wider project team, and offers a clear development pathway as the business continues to scale.
Core Outcomes
• Projects are mechanically well designed, compliant, and buildable.
• Projects are delivered safely, to programme, and to agreed quality and performance standards.
• Mechanical engineering input supports cost certainty, minimises rework, and reduces technical risk.
• Mechanical systems integrate effectively with electrical, controls, metering, and client infrastructure.
• Mechanical subcontractors and suppliers are coordinated effectively and operate to Woodco's technical and safety standards.
• Woodco's reputation for reliable, high-quality biomass and thermal system delivery is maintained and enhanced.
Key Accountabilities
Technical leadership and design ownership
• Lead the mechanical design of biomass boiler and hot water heating systems for assigned projects, from concept through detailed design, fabrication and site installation, under the direction of the Technical Director.
• Prepare mechanical designs including schematics, layouts, equipment selection, pipe sizing, buffer and accumulator sizing, pumps, heat exchangers, fuel handling systems, and ancillary plant.
• Review mechanical designs and calculations to ensure they are technically sound, buildable, maintainable, and aligned with client operational requirements.
• Ensure designs comply with applicable Irish and EU standards, environmental requirements, and SEAI SSRH technical criteria.
• Act as the primary mechanical engineering contact on assigned projects, escalating design or technical issues to the Technical Director as required.
Project engineering and project management
• Act as Project Engineer for assigned projects, coordinating mechanical engineering activities from contract award through commissioning and handover, under the overall direction of the Technical Director.
• Plan and coordinate mechanical elements of programme and sequencing in collaboration with site teams and subcontractors.
• Coordinate mechanical works with electrical, controls, civil, and architectural disciplines to support integrated project delivery.
• Attend and contribute to site and technical meetings as required, ensuring actions are understood and progressed.
• Support the management of technical changes and design development, providing mechanical input into variations and assessing technical implications for cost and programme.
Safety, quality, and compliance
• Implement and comply with Woodco's safety management system and all relevant statutory requirements on assigned projects.
• Prepare, review, and support approval of mechanical RAMS, method statements, and technical submittals.
• Ensure mechanical risk assessments are suitable, implemented on site, and reviewed as works progress.
• Monitor mechanical installation quality on site to ensure works meet design intent, specification, and industry best practice.
• Support inspections, testing, commissioning, and certification activities, ensuring records are completed and issued in line with project requirements.
Assembly, installation, and commissioning oversight
• Provide technical oversight of mechanical system assembly, whether undertaken in workshop fabrication or on site.
• Support and monitor installation, testing, and commissioning of biomass boiler systems and associated plant.
• Assist in troubleshooting mechanical issues during installation and commissioning, escalating where required to minimise delays and rework.
• Support performance verification and handover activities, ensuring systems meet design outputs and client expectations.
SSRH and regulatory compliance
• Support compliance of mechanical designs and installations with SEAI SSRH technical, metering, and documentation requirements.
• Assist in the preparation and review of SSRH technical submissions, commissioning records, and as-built documentation.
• Participate in interactions with SEAI, inspectors, and client representatives as required to support grant compliance and audits.
Pre-contract and supplier engagement
• Provide mechanical engineering input to the sales and commercial teams during tender and pre-contract stages.
• Review technical specifications, identify mechanical risks, and support the development of compliant and competitive technical solutions.
• Engage with suppliers and subcontractors to support equipment selection, ensuring suitability, availability, and value for money.
• Contribute to the ongoing development and improvement of standard designs, specifications, and costing tools.
Authority and Interfaces
• Prepare and review mechanical designs and technical documentation for approval by the Technical Director.
• Direct day-to-day mechanical activities of subcontractors on site within agreed scope, programme, and safety requirements.
• Interface directly with clients, consultants, inspectors, suppliers, and subcontractors on mechanical matters related to assigned projects.
• Work closely with the Technical Director and other project team members to ensure coordinated delivery
Experience and Qualifications
• Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Energy Systems Engineering, or equivalent.
• Typically 3–5 years post-qualification experience with exposure to hot water heating, biomass, or industrial thermal systems.
• Experience supporting or acting as Project Engineer on construction or energy projects, including site coordination.
• Working knowledge of biomass boiler systems, thermal plant, and auxiliary equipment.
• Familiarity with SEAI SSRH requirements is highly desirable.
• Project management qualification is advantageous but not essential.
Skills and Attributes
• Proficient with AutoCAD, SolidWorks, and simulation tools for system designs.
• Strong computer skill including Microsoft suite and project management tools.
• Strong organisational and coordination skills.
• Safety and quality focused mindset.
• Confident communicator able to engage effectively with clients and subcontractors.
• Commercially aware with an understanding of cost and programme impacts of engineering decisions.
Why this role
This role suits a high-calibre mechanical engineer who wants genuine ownership of engineering and project delivery within a growing renewable heat business. It is a senior, hands-on role with real influence over standards, outcomes, and reputation, and offers a strong platform for progression as Woodco continues to scale its biomass and thermal operations.