Specialist engineering recruitment across Ireland. We place mechanical, electrical, civil, and process engineers with manufacturers, contractors, and consulting firms nationwide.
Foresight is a specialist engineering recruitment agency in Ireland, placing mechanical, electrical, civil, structural, process, and quality engineers with manufacturers, consultancies, contractors, and multinationals nationwide. Whether you need a validation engineer for a Cork pharma plant, a civil engineer for a Dublin infrastructure scheme, or an automation engineer for a midlands manufacturing line, we source, technically vet, and place the right person — locally where we can, internationally where we must.
Engineering is a globally competitive talent market, and Ireland is short of qualified people across nearly every discipline. That's why our international sourcing capability matters: when the right engineer isn't available here, we draw on vetted candidate pools across Europe, Brazil, and the Philippines and manage the work-permit process end-to-end, so your new hire arrives ready to contribute.
Our consultants understand the technical requirements of each discipline, not just the job title. We recruit:
From graduate to chartered and management level, every candidate is assessed for qualifications, certifications, and genuine technical competence before they reach your shortlist. You can also browse our live engineering jobs to see who's moving through our network.
Ireland's engineering demand is concentrated in a handful of high-investment sectors, and they're all competing for the same people:
Ireland has a well-documented shortage of qualified engineers. Engineers Ireland has repeatedly highlighted the gap between graduate output and industry demand, and competition from the technology sector — which pays premium salaries for the same problem-solving skill set — has made traditional engineering employers' hiring harder still. Posting a job locally only reaches engineers who are already in Ireland and already looking. Foresight reaches the rest: passive candidates in our network, and qualified engineers abroad who are open to relocating. For the full picture, read our analysis of the engineering skills shortage in Ireland.
When the Irish market can't supply the engineer you need, our international network closes the gap — and unlike most agencies, we name our sourcing markets and run a structured process. We recruit qualified engineers from across Europe, Brazil, and the Philippines, verifying academic qualifications and professional accreditation, assessing technical competence against your specific requirements, and coordinating travel, accommodation, and onboarding. The result is a job-ready engineer, not a CV. Learn more about our international engineering recruitment service.
Most professional engineering roles qualify for the Critical Skills Employment Permit, Ireland's fastest and most advantageous permit — it carries no Labour Market Needs Test, allows immediate family reunification, and offers a two-year route toward long-term residency, all of which strengthen retention. Roles outside the critical-skills list are typically covered by the General Employment Permit. We manage either route end-to-end on the employer's behalf: application, documentation, and DETE submission. See how our work permit management works, or read our full guide to the Critical Skills Employment Permit.
We keep the process transparent and technically rigorous:
Realistic timelines: a shortlist for roles with available local talent is typically presented within 7–14 working days; international or permit-dependent hires usually take 3–6 weeks from brief to offer stage. See our recruitment process in detail.
We place engineers on permanent, contract, and fixed-term bases. Contract and fixed-term placements are ideal for project peaks, commissioning and validation phases, or maternity and specialist cover; permanent search is suited to core team roles where long-term fit matters. We recruit nationwide — Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick, Waterford, and from our Co. Meath base across the midlands — so wherever your facility is, we can reach the talent. Request engineering staff or get in touch to discuss your requirements.
This role is responsible for providing technical and engineering support on construction projects, ensuring that works are constructed safely, accurately, and in accordance with drawings, specifications, programmes, and relevant standards.
The Pipelayer is responsible for the installation, alignment and connection of underground pipework for drainage, water supply, sewerage, utilities and other civil engineering infrastructure.
We are looking for a steel fabricator/welder to join a growing company. Working with mild steel, structural steel and stainless steel. This position is mainly workshop based but will have from time to time site fitting.
Our Client, is seeking two experienced TIG Welders / Pipe Fabricators to join its skilled workshop and site team. The successful candidates will work independently and as part of a small, experienced team on the fabrication of stainless steel vessels, tanks, platforms, and process pipework to a consistently high standard. This is a hands-on role requiring proven TIG welding ability, strong knowledge of stainless steel fabrication techniques, and the capacity to work from and interpret fabrication drawings without direct supervision. Duties and Responsibilities: TIG welding of stainless steel components including vessels, tanks, access platforms, and process pipework Fabrication of stainless steel structures to high-quality standards in line with client specifications and drawings Reading, interpreting, and working from fabrication drawings and technical specifications with accuracy Self-directing work on fabrication tasks without close supervision, exercising good initiative and judgement Carrying out quality checks on completed work to ensure compliance with required standards Working safely at all times and in compliance with health and safety requirements Collaborating with colleagues, supervisors, and project managers to ensure timely project delivery Maintaining a clean, organised, and safe work environment Essential Requirements: Proven, demonstrable experience as a TIG welder working with stainless steel Proven experience fabricating stainless steel vessels, tanks, platforms, and/or process pipework Proficiency in reading and interpreting fabrication and engineering drawings Ability to fabricate to a high standard on own initiative with minimal supervision Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality workmanship Knowledge of safe working practices and health and safety requirements relevant to welding and fabrication Desirable (but not essential): Relevant trade qualification or apprenticeship (e.g. FETAC/QQI metalwork/fabrication, CSWIP, or equivalent) Experience with orbital welding or automated TIG processes Safe Pass and/or Manual Handling certification Previous experience in a similar manufacturing or industrial fabrication environment
Engineering recruitment in Ireland: what you need to know.
Whether you need a single placement or ongoing recruitment support, we'd love to hear from you. Tell us what you need and a specialist consultant will be in touch within 24 hours.
Brief us on your requirements and we'll come back with a plan. No obligation.