Job Title:
Senior Executive Engineer (National Roads Office)
Employer:
Westmeath County Council
County:
Westmeath
Closing Date:
3pm, Thursday, 12th February 2026
Starting Salary:
€79,090
About the Employer:
Westmeath has a population of approximately 90,000 and is located in the heart of the country with excellent road and rail access to all four corners of the island of Ireland, Westmeath has a rural tranquillity but ready access to the country's main urban cities to include Dublin and Galway in particular.
Westmeath County Council consists of 20 members who are elected every five years; The county is divided into two Municipal Districts of Mullingar/ Kinnegad and Athlone / Moate with the administrative headquarters of the Council located in Mullingar. There are also Civic Offices located in Athlone and Castlepollard. Mullingar is the county town while Athlone is a Regional Growth Centre under the National Planning Framework.
At a strategic level, the Council operates through its Corporate Policy Group comprising the Cathaoirleach of the Council and the Chairs of the Local Authority's four Strategic Policy Committees. The Chief Executive and the Management Team play a key role in supporting and advising this policy group.
Westmeath County Council has responsibility for delivering a wide range of services in the local area with a focus on making Westmeath a prosperous county that seeks to support a vibrant economy, rural quality of life, active and safe communities, diversity, culture and heritage, healthy and sustainable natural environment along with a sense of community pride and place. The Council has a workforce of 600 and a budget of €129.5 million in 2026.
Westmeath National Roads Office (WNRO) was established as a specialist office by Westmeath County Council (WCC) in partnership with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), to deliver the national roads programme across the Midlands and North-Eastern Region. Our multidisciplinary team works collaboratively to deliver on national and local strategies and policies that enhance and maintain Ireland's national road and greenway transportation networks.
About the Role:
The Senior Executive Engineer, National Roads Office is a specialist role at senior level that will assist the Senior Engineer in managing road infrastructural projects including the supervision of staff of which the postholder will have responsibility to lead and manage their team. The Senior Executive Engineer will report to the Senior Engineer in the Design Office and the position will be based in the Westmeath National Roads Office, Culleen Beg, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath. However, persons employed will be required to work or travel to any location within the Westmeath NRO administrative area.
The Senior Executive Engineer (NRO) duties include but are not limited to the following:
• The design, implementation and project management of national road improvements projects in accordance with TII standards and procedures and statutory procedures.
• The operation and maintenance of national roads schemes such as pavement improvements, signage and delineation improvements in accordance with TII standards and procedures.
• Designing and preparing contract documents, tendering, drafting recommendations on appointment of successful service providers and contractors.
• Supervision and contract administration of service and works contracts.
• Prepare and management programmes and budgets.
• Managing and supervising staff including assignment of duties and workloads and identification of training needs.
• Identifying opportunities for improvements or achievements of efficiencies in service delivery.
• Maintaining and proactively developing a culture of Health and Safety in the workplace.
• Ensuring compliance with Health and Safety legislation and regulations, and Westmeath County Council's Safety Management Systems.
• Ensuring works are implemented in compliance with all relevant legislation and regulations including planning and procurement requirements.
• Implementation and development of in-house quality management systems.
• Assess planning applications from an engineering perspective.
• Dealing efficiently, effectively and professionally at all times with stakeholders including TII, Government Departments, Local Authority staff, elected members, community groups, businesses, and residents.
• Liaising with and responding to other local authorities, government departments and statutory agencies where required.
• Compiling, preparing and presenting reports as necessary to a variety of stakeholders including organisation of public consultation meetings and processes.
• Preparing and presenting reports to the Council, Municipal Districts, Strategic Policy Committees or other here required.
• Carry out duties in a politically neutral manner, with a clear understanding of the political reality and context of the local authority.
• Deputising for the Senior Engineer or other senior grade when required.
• Undertaking any other duties of a similar level and responsibility, as may be required, or assigned, from time to time.
About You:
Candidates shall on the latest date for receipt of completed applications:
(a) (i) hold an honours bachelors degree (level 8 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ)) 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 on 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 seven years satisfactory relevant experience of engineering work;
(c) possess a high standard of technical training and experience;
(d) possess a high standard of administrative and management experience;
(e) have a satisfactory knowledge of public service organisation or the ability to acquire such knowledge.
The Closing Date for this competition is Thursday, 12th of February at 3pm.
We are committed to a policy of equal opportunity and encourage applications under all nine grounds of the Employment Equality Act.