Senior Project Engineer

Posted:
1/14/2026, 5:32:13 PM

Location(s):
Bailieborough-Cootehill Municipal District, Ireland ⋅ Cootehill, Bailieborough-Cootehill Municipal District, Ireland

Experience Level(s):
Senior

Field(s):
Business & Strategy

     

JOB DESCRIPTION:

About Abbott

Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life. Our portfolio of life-changing technologies spans diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals, and branded generic medicines. With 113,000 colleagues serving people in more than 160 countries, Abbott is committed to delivering innovative solutions that improve health and quality of life.

In Ireland, Abbott has been operating since 1946 and employs approximately 6,000 people across ten sites. These include six manufacturing facilities in Clonmel, Cootehill, Donegal, Longford, and Sligo, as well as commercial, support operations, and shared services in Dublin and Galway.

Abbott Nutrition Cootehill is the largest powder manufacturing facility for infant formula within Abbott worldwide. Established in 1975, the site produces a range of infant and follow-on formula under the brand names Similac and Gain, using high-quality milk sourced from approximately 1,000 dairy farms across Ireland and Northern Ireland. Processing 500,000 litres of milk daily, the Cootehill facility plays a strategic role in supplying products to Europe, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Latin America, and Canada.

Primary Purpose

The Senior Project Engineer will lead and coordinate manufacturing-related projects within the Packing Department, ensuring compliance with Environmental, Health & Safety (EHS), cGMP, and quality standards. This role focuses on driving continuous improvement, maintaining operational efficiency, and supporting cross-functional collaboration.

Key Responsibilities

  • Lead projects aimed at improving production efficiencies through a collaborative approach.
  • Coordinate staff training and development with the Training & Development Specialist.
  • Ensure compliance with Abbott policies, quality standards, and budgetary goals.

Project Management & Operations

  • Manage and coordinate projects within the Packing Department to improve production efficiency.
  • Ensure all project work complies with local, statutory, and company policies.
  • Prepare cost estimates and RCEs for capital projects as required.
  • Provide regular project status updates to the Principal Projects Manager.
  • Support manufacturing operations by deputizing for Packing Shift Managers when needed.

Continuous Improvement

  • Identify and implement Continuous Improvement Projects (CIPs) in collaboration with the Business Excellence team.
  • Apply Six Sigma principles and other improvement methodologies to resolve issues and optimize processes.

Quality & Standards

  • Ensure adherence to quality, hygiene, and cGMP procedures, including oversight of external contractors.
  • Complete CAPAs and QA actions in a timely manner.
  • Review and update relevant policies and procedures as required.

Leadership & Communication

  • Maintain positive employee relations and foster open communication within the plant.
  • Train, coach, and supervise Packing staff when required.
  • Promote knowledge sharing and teamwork across departments.

Safety & Compliance

  • Adhere to all EHS regulations and company policies.
  • Report hazards immediately and wear appropriate PPE at all times.
  • Review and follow SOPs for all tasks.
  • Maintain a zero-accident target and ensure prompt investigation and corrective action for any incidents.
  • Minimize environmental risks and respond appropriately to environmental incidents.

Reporting Structure

  • Reports directly to the Principal Projects Manager.
  • Acts as stand-in for Packing Shift Managers and deputizes for the Packing Operations Manager when required.

Education & Experience

  • Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Food Science, Food Engineering, or equivalent.
  • Experience:
    • Minimum 4 years in food manufacturing.
    • 3+ years in project management.

Skills & Competencies

  • Strong problem-solving skills with ability to apply Six Sigma and continuous improvement techniques.
  • High level of creativity and originality in system design.
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
  • Proficient in report writing and computer applications.
  • Ability to make sound judgments and innovative decisions within defined practices and policies.

Accountability & Scope

  • Failure to adhere to specifications or corrective actions may result in significant financial and quality impacts.
  • Non-conformance in manufacturing can lead to delays in packing schedules and customer service goals.

     

The base pay for this position is

N/A

In specific locations, the pay range may vary from the range posted.

     

JOB FAMILY:

Facilities & Maintenance

     

DIVISION:

ANSC Nutrition Supply Chain

        

LOCATION:

Ireland > Cootehill : Dromore West

     

ADDITIONAL LOCATIONS:

     

WORK SHIFT:

Ie - Chsal39 (Ireland)

     

TRAVEL:

No

     

MEDICAL SURVEILLANCE:

Yes

     

SIGNIFICANT WORK ACTIVITIES:

Not Applicable

     

     

     

Abbott

Website: https://abbott.com/

Headquarter Location: Illinois City, Illinois, United States

Employee Count: 1001-5000

Year Founded: 1944

IPO Status: Public

Last Funding Type: Post-IPO Debt

Industries: Biotechnology ⋅ Emergency Medicine ⋅ Genetics ⋅ Health Care ⋅ Health Diagnostics ⋅ Manufacturing ⋅ Medical ⋅ Medical Device ⋅ Nutrition ⋅ Pharmaceutical