Lead Mechanical Engineer | Italy

• Permanent position available with a considerable portfolio of works for the next 5+ years
• To build your career by assisting in the delivery of ‘leading edge’ engineering projects.
• To work with a vibrant, agile and multi-functional team in delivering projects on time, safely, to budget and to the required quality standards.
• To benefit from Kirby’s Career Development Programmes that will enhance your leadership capability.
• To work with the best.
• Excellent package on offer with room for negotiations

About Kirby Group Engineering

Kirby Group Engineering is an international multi-disciplinary engineering services contractor and leading provider of high-value engineering services to a number of ‘blue chip’ companies. Operating across Ireland, the UK, Europe and South Africa, Kirby has become the engineering service provider of choice in growth segments such as pharmaceuticals, data centres and power transmission and distribution. Our culture is innovative, collaborative and performance focused. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to grow and develop in a company committed to developing talent and rewarding performance.

Lead Mechanical Engineer – Data Centre Project

Location: Milan, Italy

This is not a role for someone who wants to hide behind procedures or wait for instructions.

We’re looking for a Lead Mechanical Engineer to take full ownership of mechanical engineering and commissioning delivery on a major data centre project in Milan. This role sits right at the centre of the project — technically, operationally and commercially.

If you enjoy complexity, accountability and leading engineers in an environment where mistakes are expensive and success is visible, you’ll feel at home here.

The Role

As Lead Mechanical Engineer, you are responsible for planning, managing and coordinating all mechanical engineering and commissioning activities on the project.

You lead the mechanical engineering function end to end — design, procurement, installation, testing, commissioning and handover — while mentoring engineers and maintaining standards under pressure.

This is a hands‑on leadership role. You are expected to make decisions, solve problems and keep things moving.

What You’ll Be Doing You will:

• Take full responsibility for mechanical engineering delivery on the project
• Lead and manage the mechanical project engineering team, assigning engineers to work packages
• Own the design management process, either directly or through appointed leads
• Own the commissioning process, ensuring systems are buildable, testable and ready when required
• Drive EHS compliance, promoting safe systems of work and leading by example on site
• Oversee procurement from a technical perspective, including RFQs, technical evaluations, equipment selection and delivery tracking
• Control quality from design through installation and commissioning, including ITPs, test packs, FATs, SATs, walkdowns and system handover
• Coordinate closely with Electrical and CSA counterparts to ensure clear system boundaries and responsibilities
• Manage system trackers, technical submittals, RFIs, deviations and change from a technical standpoint
• Lead commissioning activities, flushing, balancing, pressure testing and certification
• Identify risks early, own mitigation plans and escalation when required
• Engage in programme development, commissioning sequencing and look‑ahead planning
• Support business development through strong client, designer and contractor relationships
• Mentor project and graduate engineers, building capability across the team
• Provide clear, structured reporting to senior engineering and business leadership

In short, you make sure the mechanical scope works — technically, safely and commercially.

The Project

This is a large‑scale, mission‑critical data centre build in Milan.

It’s fast, complex and highly coordinated. The client expects certainty, not excuses. Engineering decisions matter, sequencing matters and leadership matters.

If you’ve worked on data centres, pharma or advanced industrial projects before, you’ll understand the pace and precision required.

Who We Are – Kirby Group Engineering

Kirby is one of Europe’s leading mechanical and electrical engineering contractors, delivering complex projects across data centres, life sciences, industrial and advanced manufacturing sectors.

We are engineers first. We self‑deliver, we take responsibility, and we are trusted on projects where failure is not an option.

While Kirby is well established across Ireland, the UK and mainland Europe, Italy is a strategic growth market for us. This project is part of that expansion.

That means this role comes with real influence. You are not joining a mature, over‑layered organisation — you are helping to shape how Kirby is delivered and recognised in Italy.

If you want to be known for delivery rather than job titles, this matters.

About You

You’ll likely have:

• Strong senior‑level mechanical engineering experience on large, complex projects
• Experience in data centres, pharmaceutical, industrial or mission‑critical environments
• The ability to lead engineers without micromanaging them
• Confidence working with clients, designers and site teams
• A practical mindset — structured, calm and solutions‑focused

You don’t need to be the loudest voice in the room. You do need to be the one people trust when things get difficult.

Why Join Kirby Group Engineering?

• A flagship data centre project in Milan
• Real ownership of mechanical engineering delivery
• Strong backing from a proven European engineering contractor
• Long‑term career opportunity as Kirby grows in Italy
• A culture that values engineering judgement over box‑ticking

No hype. No nonsense. Just serious engineering on a serious project.

Kirby Group Engineering is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace and welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates, regardless of race, gender, disability, religion, sexual orientation, or age.