Project Manager – Bespoke Medical Device Automation

Location: Galway, Ireland

Department: PMO

Reports To: PMO Director

Employment Type: Full-Time, Permanent

About the Company

We are a leading automation provider specialising in the design and delivery of bespoke, high‑precision automated systems for the medical device industry. As a full turnkey supplier, we manage projects through proof‑of‑principal exploration, mechanical design, electrical design, controls development, build, assembly, test, FAT, and site deployment. Our projects frequently incorporate robotics, servo systems, machine vision, linear motion systems, laser processing, welding technologies, and complex safety‑critical automation. As we continue to scale, we are progressing our PMO function to enhance delivery performance, consistency, and customer experience. We are now recruiting an experienced Project Manager to own full project delivery.

Role Overview

The Project Manager will be responsible for the end‑to‑end management of large bespoke automation projects, ensuring on‑time, on-budget and fully compliant delivery to regulated medical‑device customers. You will serve as the primary customer interface, working closely with mechanical, electrical, controls and build teams to coordinate all project phases from concept through FAT and site acceptance as necessary. This is a hands-on, delivery-focused role suited to an experienced PM who thrives in complex, engineering-led, multidisciplinary environments.

Key Responsibilities

Project Delivery

• Lead full lifecycle management of automation projects from initiation to customer handover.
• Develop and maintain detailed project plans, schedules, budgets, risk logs, and project workbook.
• Drive project governance including change control, stage gates, progress reporting, technical reviews, and stakeholder communications.
• Ensure project scope, technical requirements, and deliverables are clearly understood and managed.

Customer & Stakeholder Management

• Act as the primary customer point of contact for all project matters.
• Facilitate customer meetings, design reviews, FAT planning, and status updates.
• Build strong, trust-based relationships with key customer stakeholders in regulated medical device environments.

Engineering Coordination

• Work closely with mechanical design engineers, electrical engineers, controls engineers, and assembly teams.
• Coordinate internal cross‑functional resources and manage inter-dependencies between disciplines.
• Support engineering teams by removing blockers, clarifying requirements, and ensuring smooth workflow.

Risk, Compliance & Quality

• Own project risk identification, mitigation and contingency planning.
• Ensure all project work aligns with medical-device industry standards, internal quality procedures, and customer-specific requirements.
• Support documentation compliance including URS, FDS, DDS, SDS, FAT protocols, and validation‑related deliverables.

Commercial Control

• Manage project budgets, EAC, margin protection, and financial reporting.
• Control scope changes and lead commercial negotiations where required.
• Support costing, proposals, estimates, and technical sales where applicable.

Continuous Improvement

• Contribute to the development of PMO processes, templates, governance models, and delivery standards.
• Provide lessons learned, recommend improvements, and support organisational maturity in project management.

Required Experience & Qualifications

Essential

• 5+ years project management experience in automation, special‑purpose machines, robotics, manufacturing systems, or similar technical environments.
• Proven track record managing complex, custom-engineered, multi‑disciplinary projects.
• Strong understanding of mechanical design processes and automated system development.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and customer‑facing skills.
• Experience managing budgets, EAC, schedules, risk, and change.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and technical documentation.
• Familiarity with regulated environments (preferably medical device, pharma, or life sciences).
• Proficiency with project planning tools such as MS Project or equivalent.

Desirable

• Degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Automation, Mechatronics, or related engineering discipline.
• Formal PM qualifications (PMP, PRINCE2, IPMA, Agile, etc.).
• Experience delivering FAT/SAT activities, machine build, or equipment commissioning.
• Understanding of GAMP, ISO 13485, or relevant quality frameworks.