Principal Manufacturing Engineer
Company: LGC Group
Role summary
Principal Manufacturing Engineer is a role at LGC Group in Ballina, Ballina Municipal District, Ireland (on-site). Posted 2026-08-24. Experience level: 10+.
- Job title
- Principal Manufacturing Engineer
- Company
- LGC Group
- Location
- Ballina, Ballina Municipal District, Ireland
- Work arrangement
- on-site
- Category
- Software Engineering
- Experience level
- 10+
- Date posted
- 2026-08-24
You’ll be taking the lead on shaping manufacturing processes at a global scale, making this an ideal spot for someone who loves solving complex technical challenges. It is a high-impact role where your expertise will directly influence production efficiency and product quality, offering plenty of room for professional autonomy and influence.
Job description
Company Description
LGC Clinical Diagnostics develops and manufactures a range of diagnostic quality solutions and component materials for the life sciences industry. We partner with IVD assay developers, and pharmaceutical, CRO and academic institutions in commercialisation activities across the entire diagnostic pipeline. Laboratorians and diagnostic professionals rely on LGC’s products to support accurate and reliable diagnostic results.
Our operating entities include Maine Standards Company, SeraCare Life Sciences, and Technopath Clinical Diagnostics, which are in vitro diagnostics (IVD) manufacturers of quality measurement tools (calibrators, controls, linearity, EQA/PT, biological materials), the Native Antigen Company, which is a manufacturer and supplier of viral antigens and LGC Proficiency Testing a global leader in PT schemes. We operate FDA-registered and ISO 13485-accredited facilities in Maine (USA), Massachusetts (USA), Maryland (USA), Tipperary (Ireland), ISO 9001-accredited facility in Oxford, UK, and Traverse City, Michigan US.
Our exceptional team, scientific skills, operational efficiency, and high-quality systems are primed daily to assist various advanced technologies, benefiting patient outcomes.
Job Description
Position Summary
The Principal Manufacturing Engineer role at LGC presents a unique and exhilarating opportunity to lead and innovate within a top-tier medical device manufacturing environment! As a seasoned technical leader, you will manage manufacturing scale-up projects, validation approaches, capacity expansion, and operational advancement initiatives. This position offers strategic engineering leadership and overall responsibility for major capital, equipment, automation, and process refinement projects, steering them from concept through development, budgeting, validation, rollout, documentation, and long-term performance. Our supportive environment encourages you to provide reliable, compliant, and effective manufacturing solutions while working collaboratively across functions.
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each of the following essential functions satisfactorily:
Lead manufacturing scale-up, capacity increase, and projects aimed at improving operational efficiency within manufacturing.
Manage full lifecycle CAPEX, equipment, and automation projects, encompassing case development, budgeting, cost tracking, user requirements, build review, vendor management, installation, qualification, validation, start-up, and transition to operations.
Provide technical leadership for validation activities across the full project lifecycle, including commissioning, IQ, OQ, PQ, protocol development, execution oversight, deviation resolution, final validation closure, and preparation or review of compliant project and validation documentation.
Supply senior-level engineering support for manufacturing workflows, equipment, and automation systems, applying solid technical skills in automated equipment, controls integration, and potential process improvements.
Lead complex cross-functional projects from concept through implementation and ongoing operational handover, taking clear responsibility for scope, schedules, risks, resources, collaborators, change control, and deliverables.
Lead resolution of complex manufacturing, equipment, and quality issues in collaboration with cross-functional teams.
Support introduction of new products, methods, technologies, and equipment into QC manufacturing.
Ensure engineering activities align with IVD, ISO 13485, GMP, and internal Quality Management Systems.
Partner effectively with Operations, Quality, Engineering, Supply Chain, and Finance collaborators.
Coach and mentor junior engineers and provide day-to-day technical leadership within project teams.
Qualifications
Knowledge, Experience, Skills, and Certifications
Essential Knowledge & Qualifications:
Degree in Engineering (Manufacturing, Chemical, Mechanical, Biomedical, or related) or equivalent experience.
Typically, more than 10 years of experience in controlled manufacturing settings (IVD, diagnostics, Pharma, or medical devices preferred).
Proven background in leading extensive manufacturing, scale-up, validation, and operational excellence efforts within a regulated setting, complemented by strong project management and delivery capabilities.
Extensive experience in validation, quality systems, regulatory adherence, and risk management, along with solid practical knowledge of commissioning and qualification criteria in regulated manufacturing.
Strong knowledge of automation, equipment integration, and control systems, with experience managing project costs, budgets, and value delivery within regulated manufacturing projects.
Recognized ability to solve novel, high-complexity technical problems.
Strong technical documentation, communication, and data-driven decision-making skills, with experience preparing and reviewing project, validation, and engineering documentation.
Behavioural & Interpersonal Proficiencies:
Known as a reliable senior engineer with demonstrated success in managing complex projects within a regulated manufacturing environment.
Operates with a high degree of ownership for assigned projects and workstreams.
Influences decisions through experience, data, and collaboration.
Passionate about practical execution, continuous improvement, and balanced results.
Additional Information
LGC is a top life science tools company, offering important solutions in growing markets.
Our values
PASSION
CURIOSITY
INTEGRITY
BRILLIANCE
RESPECT
Benefits
25 days holidays
Life assurance & health allowance
Discounts with local and national retailers
Free 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme
Recognition schemes and monetary awards
Great long-term career opportunities
At LGC, we foster a culture of inclusion and collaboration. We believe that diverse p