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Assistant Designer's Site Representative - Roads - Job Opportunity at AtkinsRéalis

Cork, Ireland
Full-time
Senior
Posted: July 14, 2025
On-site
EUR 55,000 - 70,000 per year based on the senior-level experience requirements, specialized highway construction expertise, and Cork regional market conditions. The role's requirement for extensive experience in major highway projects and Designer's Site Representative duties positions it in the upper-middle salary range for civil engineering positions in Ireland.

Benefits

Comprehensive CPD accreditation through Engineers Ireland, providing structured professional development opportunities that enhance career progression and technical expertise
Family-friendly employment policies designed to support work-life balance and accommodate diverse personal circumstances
Flexible working arrangements that allow for adaptability in work schedules and location, promoting productivity and employee satisfaction
Employee networks supporting staff from different backgrounds, fostering inclusion and professional networking opportunities
Association with Engineers Ireland CPD Employer of the Year 2021, demonstrating commitment to professional development excellence
Diverse and inclusive workplace culture that values different perspectives and promotes equal opportunities for all employees

Key Responsibilities

Coordinate strategic communication between contractors and design teams on critical construction and design issues, serving as the primary technical liaison to ensure project alignment and technical compliance
Execute comprehensive Designer's Site Representative duties including supervising construction operations, conducting detailed inspections, and managing quality assurance systems that directly impact project success and safety standards
Establish and manage sophisticated technical query systems for handling contractor communications, material approvals, and information requests, ensuring efficient project workflow and decision-making processes
Lead quantification and assessment of construction work completion to support carbon reporting requirements, contributing to environmental sustainability goals and regulatory compliance
Collaborate with contractors and employers to ensure full compliance with health and safety regulations, environmental standards, and contract requirements, maintaining project integrity and risk management

Requirements

Education

Bachelors (Level 8) or Masters (Level 9) Degree in Civil Engineering or equivalent discipline

Experience

Extensive experience of supervising construction major highway projects including drainage, earthworks, pavements and all other roadworks elements as Designer's Site Representative or Resident Engineer for contractor or public sector clients

Required Skills

Extensive experience in the execution and supervision of large civil engineering projects, including major highway schemes Self motivated, enthusiastic, hard working, flexible, collaborative, willing to take on responsibility Excellent communication skills Ability to communicate and engage with multiple stakeholders Demonstrable experience of managing quality assurance on highways and other infrastructure projects Experience in NEC or other collaborative forms of contract is preferred
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Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Industry Trends

The Irish infrastructure sector is experiencing significant growth driven by the National Development Plan 2021-2030, which allocates substantial funding for transport infrastructure improvements. This creates sustained demand for experienced roads and highways professionals who can oversee complex construction projects and ensure compliance with evolving environmental and safety standards. There is an increasing emphasis on sustainable construction practices and carbon reporting in civil engineering projects, reflecting Ireland's commitment to climate action goals. Professionals with experience in environmental compliance and carbon quantification are becoming increasingly valuable as projects must demonstrate environmental responsibility and meet stringent reporting requirements. The adoption of collaborative contracting methods like NEC (New Engineering Contract) is expanding across Irish public sector projects, creating demand for professionals experienced in these modern procurement approaches. This shift represents a move away from traditional adversarial contracting toward more collaborative, risk-sharing arrangements that require different skill sets and approaches to project management.

Role Significance

The role typically involves leading a site-based team of 3-8 technical professionals including junior engineers, inspectors, and administrative support staff. The position requires coordination with multiple external stakeholders including contractors, design teams, and local authority representatives, suggesting management of both direct reports and complex stakeholder relationships.
This is a senior-level position requiring extensive experience and independent decision-making authority. The role involves significant responsibility for quality assurance, contractor coordination, and regulatory compliance on major highway projects, indicating a high degree of professional autonomy and technical leadership within the project team structure.

Key Projects

Major highway construction and upgrade projects involving multiple phases of earthworks, drainage systems, and pavement installation Infrastructure projects requiring coordination between multiple contractors and design disciplines Public sector transportation projects with complex regulatory and environmental compliance requirements Large-scale road construction projects involving significant stakeholder management and quality assurance oversight

Success Factors

Strong technical expertise in highway construction methods, materials, and quality standards is essential for effective oversight and decision-making. Success requires the ability to quickly identify potential issues and implement corrective measures while maintaining project schedules and budgets. Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills are critical for maintaining productive relationships with contractors, design teams, and local authorities. The role demands diplomatic yet firm enforcement of standards and requirements while fostering collaborative problem-solving approaches. Comprehensive understanding of health and safety regulations, environmental compliance requirements, and contract administration is vital for ensuring project success and avoiding costly delays or legal issues. This includes staying current with evolving regulations and industry best practices. Project management capabilities and the ability to work independently while making sound technical and commercial decisions under pressure are essential for managing complex, multi-disciplinary construction projects with tight deadlines and budget constraints.

Market Demand

High demand driven by ongoing National Development Plan infrastructure investments, particularly in transport and road network improvements. The specific combination of highway expertise and site representation experience creates a specialized skill set that is consistently sought after in the Irish construction market.

Important Skills

Critical Skills

Highway construction supervision experience is absolutely essential as it forms the core technical foundation for the role. Understanding of earthworks, drainage, and pavement construction methods is crucial for effective quality control and problem-solving during construction phases. Communication and stakeholder management skills are vital for success in this role, as the position requires constant interaction with contractors, design teams, and local authorities. The ability to clearly convey technical requirements and resolve conflicts diplomatically is fundamental to project success. Quality assurance and inspection capabilities are critical for ensuring construction compliance with specifications and standards. This includes understanding testing procedures, material properties, and construction tolerances that directly impact project outcomes and long-term infrastructure performance.

Beneficial Skills

Experience with NEC or other collaborative contracts provides significant advantages in the modern construction market, as these approaches are increasingly preferred by public sector clients and offer more efficient project delivery methods. Environmental compliance and carbon reporting knowledge is becoming increasingly valuable as sustainability requirements become more stringent and clients demand demonstration of environmental responsibility throughout project lifecycles. Project management and commercial awareness skills enhance career prospects and effectiveness in senior roles, providing understanding of budget management, program scheduling, and business development that are essential for career progression.

Unique Aspects

The role offers direct involvement in major Irish infrastructure development projects that will shape the country's transportation network for decades to come, providing significant professional satisfaction and career prestige through contribution to nationally important infrastructure initiatives.
Working with collaborative contracting methods like NEC provides valuable experience in modern project delivery approaches that are becoming standard across the industry, offering competitive advantages for future career opportunities and professional development.
The position combines technical engineering expertise with significant stakeholder management responsibilities, developing a unique skill set that is highly valued in both consulting and client-side organizations throughout the construction industry.
AtkinsRéalis's global presence and resources provide opportunities for international project involvement, knowledge transfer, and career mobility that are unavailable in smaller regional firms, creating potential for diverse and internationally relevant professional experiences.

Career Growth

Career progression to senior management roles typically occurs within 3-5 years for high-performing individuals, with opportunities for specialization in specific areas such as environmental compliance, contract management, or business development. The timeline can be accelerated through additional qualifications, professional development, and successful delivery of high-profile projects.

Potential Next Roles

Senior Project Manager or Principal Engineer roles within major consulting firms, taking on larger project portfolios and greater commercial responsibility Design Manager or Technical Director positions, moving from site-based roles to design leadership and business development activities Independent consulting opportunities specializing in highway construction and infrastructure project management Public sector roles as Project Director or Infrastructure Manager with local authorities or government agencies

Company Overview

AtkinsRéalis

AtkinsRéalis is a global engineering consulting giant formed through strategic mergers, representing one of the world's largest professional services firms in the engineering sector. The company operates across multiple continents with a strong presence in Ireland, providing comprehensive engineering, design, and project management services to both public and private sector clients.

As one of the world's leading engineering consultancies, AtkinsRéalis holds a dominant position in the Irish infrastructure market, regularly securing major government contracts and private sector projects. The company's scale and reputation provide access to the most significant and technically challenging projects in the country, offering employees exposure to cutting-edge engineering practices and career development opportunities.
The Cork office represents a significant regional hub for AtkinsRéalis's Irish operations, serving the Munster region's infrastructure development needs. This location provides opportunities to work on major regional projects while benefiting from the company's global resources and expertise, creating an ideal balance of local project involvement and international career development potential.
The company emphasizes collaborative working relationships, professional development, and inclusive workplace practices. As a CPD-accredited employer with Engineers Ireland, the organization demonstrates strong commitment to employee growth and technical excellence, creating an environment where professional advancement is actively supported and encouraged.
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