Mechanical Engineer (Design Lead) Location: Kilkenny Job Type: Full Time, Permanent Hours: MondayFriday, 8:30am 5:30pm (Hybrid to be agreed following probation) Salary: circa €70k, dependent on experience Optimize Recruitment is delighted to partner with a leading engineering organisation in the Water sector to recruit an experienced Mechanical Engineer (Design Lead) for their team in Kilkenny.
Due to continued growth across their Water division, our client is seeking a motivated professional to lead multidisciplinary design projects across Ireland, delivering innovative and sustainable water and wastewater treatment solutions.
Requirements: Level 8 or Level 9 qualification in Mechanical Engineering or related discipline.
Minimum 7 years experience in design engineering, ideally within the water or utilities sector.
Experience leading teams and managing engineering design projects.
Strong people management and mentoring capabilities.
Solid understanding of mechanical systems, hydraulic design, and process plant layout.
Experience with engineering design tools, modelling, and calculation software.
Excellent communication, organisational, and interpersonal skills.
Ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver high-quality results.
Previous site or project delivery experience is desirable.
Key Responsibilities: Lead and coordinate design teams delivering water and wastewater treatment projects.
Manage the full design lifecycle from concept and feasibility through to detailed design and handover.
Coordinate multidisciplinary teams to ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to specification.
Act as a key contact for clients, maintaining strong relationships and supporting successful project delivery.
Review and approve mechanical design documentation including layouts, specifications, and P&IDs.
Ensure designs comply with relevant standards, codes, and quality requirements.
Provide technical guidance and mentorship to design engineers.
Support resource planning and team performance in collaboration with the Mechanical Design Manager.
Contribute to innovation, continuous improvement, and knowledge sharing within the design function.
Reporting to the Mechanical Design Manager, the successful candidate will play a key role in leading project delivery, supporting design teams, and ensuring high technical standards across all stages of the design process.
This is an excellent opportunity to influence design capability while mentoring and developing engineers within a dynamic and growing environment.