MEICA Lead Engineer - Water

Tetra Tech is looking for a Senior Associate / Technical Director, MEICA Engineering , to Shape the Future of Ireland’s Water Infrastructure. This is an opportunity to influence nationally important infrastructure, guide talented technical teams and deliver MEICA solutions that perform safely, efficiently and reliably for decades to come. the engineering thinking behind some of Ireland’s most significant water and utilities projects. Purpose Scope of the Role You will provide technical leadership across major water and utilities infrastructure projects. You will guide multidisciplinary design teams through the full project lifecycle, from early-stage definition and optioneering through to detailed design, procurement support, commissioning and technical sign-off. Your focus will be on developing robust, buildable and operationally efficient mechanical, electrical, instrumentation, control and automation solutions that meet client requirements and asset performance expectations. You will work closely with clients, contractors, internal teams and specialist consultants to lead design development, coordinate technical reviews, contribute to risk and constructability workshops, and support informed decision-making on complex engineering matters. The role combines strategic oversight with hands-on technical direction, requiring you to communicate clearly with both technical and non-technical audiences while maintaining a strong focus on quality, compliance, programme and delivery. You will oversee a design team of approximately five to six people and contribute to significant MEICA packages across major water sector programmes. These include projects such as the €2.5 billion Water Supply Project and the €1.5 billion Greater Dublin Drainage programme, alongside a diverse portfolio of design and build contracts, treatment plant upgrades, wastewater schemes and pumping station projects. The work is focused on heavy MEICA infrastructure rather than building services, with strong emphasis on water and wastewater treatment, process interfaces, pumping systems, instrumentation, controls and operational performance. Your Impact in this position In the short term, you will establish yourself as a trusted technical authority, supporting the delivery of high-quality outputs across live projects with significant public and operational importance. As your influence grows, you will help shape technical standards, improve design quality across major programmes and strengthen relationships with key clients and delivery partners. Over the longer term, you will have the opportunity to take on broader leadership responsibility within a growing water infrastructure practice. You will contribute to nationally significant projects, support the development of emerging talent and play a central role in delivering long-term infrastructure for Ireland. Core Capabilities Technical Leadership in MEICA Design You will bring broad and detailed technical knowledge across mechanical, electrical, instrumentation, control and automation disciplines, particularly within water and wastewater infrastructure. You will be confident directing integrated engineering solutions for pumping stations, treatment works, process systems, motors, instrumentation, controls and SCADA environments. You will review, challenge and enhance design outputs to ensure they are technically sound, operationally practical and aligned with project scope, applicable standards and asset performance requirements. Although this is primarily a leadership and coordination role, you will be comfortable contributing directly to design activities when your technical input is needed. Team Leadership and Delivery Management You will lead and develop a small, capable design team by setting clear direction, maintaining momentum and creating accountability for delivery. You will manage workloads, coordinate technical inputs, support professional development and provide the judgement needed to progress complex assignments. You will lead from the front, becoming directly involved where required to resolve technical issues, meet critical deadlines or protect delivery quality. Your ability to mentor colleagues and build a collaborative, high-performing team culture will be central to your success. Project and Contract Awareness You will understand how major infrastructure projects are delivered within a consultancy and capital works environment, from design and procurement through to construction support, commissioning and technical close-out. Experience of public works and NEC forms of contract will be valuable, as will the ability to assess tender submissions and review contractor designs under design and build arrangements. You will apply sound commercial awareness and disciplined technical judgement to ensure proposals comply with scope, performance requirements, contractual obligations and the intended engineering outcomes. Stakeholder Engagement and Technical Communication You will communicate confidently and effectively with clients, contractors, project teams and specialist stakeholders. You will produce, review and finalise high-quality technical reports, present findings clearly and explain complex engineering matters in a straightforward and persuasive way. You will be comfortable defending design decisions, evaluating options and supporting client decision-making where technical, commercial and operational priorities need to be balanced. Diplomacy, credibility and the ability to influence constructively will be important. Risk, Safety and Operational Thinking You will understand how engineering solutions perform in practice, including their implications for operation, maintenance, resilience, safety and whole-life asset management. You will contribute to hazard identification, HAZID, HAZOP, early-stage risk assessments and technical design reviews, helping to ensure solutions are safe, maintainable and fit for purpose. A practical mindset, awareness of operational constraints and a clear focus on long-term performance will enable you to translate project risks into robust design outcomes. Training, Qualifications and Experience You will hold a Level 8 qualification in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering and be chartered, or have equivalent professional standing. Significant MEICA design experience in the water and utilities sector is essential, ideally within a consultancy or design-led environment. You will need strong technical knowledge of heavy infrastructure, pumping systems, instrumentation, controls and SCADA, together with excellent written and spoken English. Experience of major water or wastewater schemes, design assurance, HAZID, HAZOP, design and build delivery, client-side working, 3D design tools or digital coordination would be advantageous. Further development in water infrastructure, project delivery or leadership would also be welcomed. Working Environment This role is ideally based in Dublin or Cork, with regular office attendance on a hybrid basis. Typically, you will be expected to work from the office in line with project and team requirements, supporting visible leadership, collaboration and effective engagement with colleagues, clients and delivery partners. The role is not suited to fully remote working, although a practical degree of hybrid, flexible or remote working may be available where compatible with project demands. Travel to client meetings, project sites, design reviews and technical workshops will be required as necessary. Flexible and part-time working options may be considered, with arrangements agreed collaboratively to support individual wellbeing and effective project delivery. Tetra Tech is committed to creating an inclusive and supportive workplace where different backgrounds, perspectives and experiences are valued. Reasonable adjustments are available throughout the recruitment process and during employment. #LI-LD1 #LI-HYBRID