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Product Inspection Engineer (Pharma) - Job Opportunity at GerTEK Project Management and Technical Services

Sligo, Ireland
Full-time
Mid-level
Posted: August 25, 2025
On-site
EUR 50,000 - EUR 65,000 annually, considering Ireland's competitive pharmaceutical sector, the specialized nature of visual inspection engineering, mid-level experience requirements, and Sligo's regional market positioning. The pharmaceutical industry in Ireland typically offers competitive compensation packages due to the concentration of major global pharmaceutical companies and the specialized skill requirements for regulatory compliance roles.

Key Responsibilities

Lead cross-functional teams to establish and optimize comprehensive visual inspection operations that directly impact product quality and regulatory compliance across global pharmaceutical manufacturing sites
Drive strategic process development initiatives by creating, modifying, and implementing critical manufacturing procedures that ensure seamless operations and regulatory adherence
Champion validation excellence by leading Process FMEAs, executing complex qualification protocols, and managing project deliverables that enable successful product launches and facility commissioning
Establish enterprise-wide technician certification programs and defect libraries that standardize quality control processes and enhance manufacturing consistency across multiple sites
Drive data-driven quality improvements through comprehensive defect trending analysis and process optimization initiatives that reduce waste and improve manufacturing yields
Lead technical transfer projects and cross-functional collaborations that enable successful product introductions and support business expansion objectives
Provide strategic technical leadership during critical manufacturing incidents and process exceptions, ensuring rapid resolution and continuous improvement implementation

Requirements

Education

A relevant third level qualification in an engineering, science or technical discipline (Degree Level or Masters Preferable)

Experience

At least three (3) years of total combined experience in Technical/Operations/Operations/Quality or equivalent in a Pharmaceutical and Health Care Organization. At least three (3) years of experience in the manufacturing environment of a biotechnology, pharmaceutical or health care plant

Required Skills

Visual Inspection operations Process, equipment, and facilities validations Process FMEAs for Visual Inspection Manufacturing processes of biotechnological drugs, parenteral drugs, solutions preparation, fill finish, Lyophilisation, sterilisation operations Clean utilities Manual Visual Inspection (MVI) of vials or syringes
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Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Industry Trends

The pharmaceutical industry is experiencing unprecedented growth driven by increased global health awareness, aging populations, and accelerated drug development timelines post-COVID-19. Visual inspection engineering roles are becoming increasingly critical as regulatory bodies worldwide are tightening quality control requirements, particularly for parenteral and biotechnology products where product integrity directly impacts patient safety. Advanced automation and AI-driven inspection technologies are transforming traditional manual visual inspection processes, creating demand for engineers who can bridge the gap between legacy manual systems and next-generation automated solutions. This technological evolution requires professionals who understand both traditional inspection methodologies and emerging digital quality control systems. The global pharmaceutical manufacturing landscape is shifting toward more distributed, flexible manufacturing models with increased emphasis on technology transfer capabilities and rapid site commissioning. This trend is driving demand for visual inspection engineers who can standardize processes across multiple facilities and support rapid scaling of manufacturing operations.

Role Significance

Typically operates within a quality control department of 15-25 professionals, with direct collaboration across 3-5 cross-functional teams including manufacturing, quality assurance, validation, and external contractors. While having no direct reports, the role involves leading project teams and providing technical guidance to junior staff members and technicians.
This is a mid-level technical leadership position with significant autonomous decision-making authority and cross-functional influence. The role combines hands-on technical expertise with process leadership responsibilities, positioning the individual as a subject matter expert who shapes quality control strategies and influences manufacturing operations across multiple stakeholder groups.

Key Projects

Leading comprehensive visual inspection system implementations for new product launches, including equipment qualification, process validation, and technician training programs Managing technology transfer projects that involve establishing visual inspection capabilities for new pharmaceutical products or processes being introduced from other manufacturing sites Spearheading process improvement initiatives that integrate advanced defect detection methodologies with existing quality control systems to enhance product quality and manufacturing efficiency

Success Factors

Deep technical expertise in pharmaceutical manufacturing processes combined with strong regulatory knowledge, enabling effective navigation of complex compliance requirements while maintaining operational efficiency Exceptional project management and cross-functional leadership capabilities, as the role requires coordinating diverse stakeholder groups including internal teams, external contractors, and regulatory personnel to achieve critical business objectives Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with experience in statistical process control and data-driven decision making, essential for managing defect trending, process optimization, and continuous improvement initiatives Excellent communication and training abilities, crucial for establishing technician certification programs, creating comprehensive documentation, and effectively transferring technical knowledge across global manufacturing networks

Market Demand

High demand driven by Ireland's position as a major pharmaceutical manufacturing hub, increased regulatory scrutiny requiring specialized expertise, and the growing complexity of biotechnology products requiring advanced visual inspection capabilities.

Important Skills

Critical Skills

Process validation and qualification expertise is absolutely essential as pharmaceutical manufacturing operates under strict regulatory oversight, and the ability to design, execute, and manage validation protocols directly impacts product approvals and market access. This skill set is fundamental to ensuring manufacturing processes meet FDA, EMA, and other regulatory requirements while maintaining operational efficiency. Visual inspection methodology and defect analysis capabilities are core competencies that directly impact product quality and patient safety. The ability to establish comprehensive defect libraries, implement trending analysis, and optimize inspection processes is crucial for maintaining regulatory compliance and minimizing manufacturing risks in pharmaceutical operations. Cross-functional project leadership and stakeholder management skills are critical for success in this role, as visual inspection operations intersect with manufacturing, quality assurance, regulatory affairs, and external contractors. The ability to coordinate diverse groups while maintaining project timelines and quality standards is essential for achieving business objectives.

Beneficial Skills

Advanced data analysis and statistical process control capabilities are increasingly valuable as pharmaceutical manufacturing adopts more sophisticated quality control methodologies and predictive analytics to optimize processes and prevent quality issues before they occur Knowledge of emerging automation technologies and digital quality control systems provides significant career advantages as the industry continues to evolve toward more automated and integrated manufacturing systems, creating opportunities for professionals who can lead technological transformation initiatives

Unique Aspects

This role offers exceptional exposure to global pharmaceutical manufacturing standards and practices through GerTEK's partnerships with world-leading life sciences companies, providing accelerated learning opportunities and international industry network development
The position uniquely combines hands-on technical expertise in visual inspection processes with strategic process development responsibilities, creating a rare opportunity to influence quality control methodologies across multiple pharmaceutical manufacturing sites
Working within Ireland's pharmaceutical hub while serving global clients provides distinctive experience in international regulatory compliance requirements and technology transfer processes, valuable expertise for career advancement in the global pharmaceutical industry
The role offers significant autonomy and technical leadership opportunities typically associated with more senior positions, while providing the support structure of a specialized consultancy environment focused on professional development and client excellence

Career Growth

Career advancement to senior management roles typically occurs within 3-5 years, supported by the strong foundation in cross-functional leadership, regulatory expertise, and process optimization experience gained in this role.

Potential Next Roles

Senior Quality Engineering Manager overseeing multiple quality control functions across pharmaceutical manufacturing sites, with responsibility for strategic quality planning and regulatory compliance leadership Manufacturing Operations Manager with expanded responsibility for end-to-end production processes, including visual inspection, fill-finish operations, and overall manufacturing efficiency optimization Validation and Commissioning Lead specializing in facility startups and technology implementations across global pharmaceutical networks, leading large-scale qualification and validation programs

Company Overview

GerTEK Project Management and Technical Services

GerTEK Project Management and Technical Services operates as a specialized engineering consultancy focused exclusively on life sciences and technology sectors, providing critical project management, talent solutions, and commissioning qualification and validation services. The company has established strategic partnerships with major global pharmaceutical and technology companies, positioning itself as a trusted provider of mission-critical engineering services for complex, high-stakes projects.

GerTEK maintains a strong niche market position as a specialized consultancy serving world-class life sciences companies, indicating established credibility and expertise in delivering complex technical projects. The company's focus on commissioning, qualification, and validation services positions it at the intersection of regulatory compliance and technical excellence, areas of increasing importance in the pharmaceutical industry.
The Sligo location represents GerTEK's strategic positioning within Ireland's robust pharmaceutical manufacturing ecosystem, providing access to a concentrated network of global pharmaceutical companies while offering a more cost-effective operational base compared to Dublin. This location strategy enables the company to serve major pharmaceutical clients while maintaining competitive operational costs.
The company culture emphasizes technical excellence, client partnership, and project delivery excellence, with a consultancy environment that typically offers diverse project exposure, accelerated professional development, and direct client interaction. The focus on strategic and important projects suggests a high-performance culture with significant professional growth opportunities.
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