This influx of international players choosing Ireland as their operational base has created a wealth of opportunities for R&D engineers. In fact, by 2024, 14 out of the world's top 15 medtech companies have established a presence in Ireland. The medtech sector now employs nearly 45,000 people, making it the second-largest in Europe.

Ireland has also been recognised as a leading exporter of medical products in Europe, with annual exports reaching €13.5 billion. Remarkably, Ireland manufactures approximately 35% of the world’s contact lenses and 55% of all ventilators used in acute hospitals globally. Additionally, the country is home to eleven of the world’s top pharmaceutical firms, with the biopharma sector experiencing rapid growth over the past decade.

This thriving environment translates into a plethora of contracting jobs available in R&D across various sectors, including medical devices, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, ICT, and financial services. For R&D engineers, Ireland offers a dynamic playground of innovation and opportunity, providing an ideal setting to bring creative ideas to fruition.

Working in Ireland as an R&D engineer means access to cutting-edge technologies, state-of-the-art equipment, world-class facilities, and ambitious projects. The collaboration between industry, academia, state agencies, and regulatory authorities in Ireland fosters a supportive environment for research and development.

Ireland’s competitive corporate tax rate, combined with its young, skilled, and highly educated workforce with robust technological and business acumen, significantly contributes to attracting R&D activities. The Irish government has demonstrated its commitment to expanding job opportunities in R&D through an €8.7 billion investment outlined in the latest Strategy for Science, Technology, and Innovation.

To support R&D efforts, the IDA provides grant aid for projects and offers a 25% tax credit designed to incentivise companies to undertake new or additional research, development, and innovation activities in Ireland.

R&D roles in Ireland are not only stimulating and challenging but also rewarding. From a humanitarian perspective, R&D engineers are at the forefront of technology development, making a tangible difference in people’s lives globally.

This is an exciting time to pursue an R&D career in Ireland, given the abundance of job opportunities and promising career prospects. As R&D engineers advance in their careers, they may transition into managerial roles, such as engineering managers or technology managers/principal engineers. Both career paths offer rewards, challenges, and excitement. As a people manager, one oversees the performance and development of a team of talented engineers. As a principal engineer, responsibilities include developing new technologies, guiding projects from ideation to completion, enhancing existing products, and providing technical leadership.

This career trajectory may even involve patenting innovative products and ascending to executive roles such as vice president within a company.

The average salary for an R&D engineer with two to three years of experience in Ireland is approximately €46,500 per year.

If you’re interested in exploring exciting job opportunities for R&D engineers in Ireland, contact deirdre@hero.ie.