Senior Automation Transformation Advisor DATUM

Who we are:

Irish Manufacturing Research (IMR) is a leading Research and Technology Organisation providing a portfolio of operations research, training, and consultancy services to Industry across the following four thematic pillars: Digitisation, Sustainable Manufacturing, Design for Manufacturing, and Robotics and Automation. As a leading manufacturing Research & Technology Organisation (RTO) with labs and industrial pilot lines in Dublin and Mullingar, IMR works with leading global and indigenous brands to demystify and derisk new and emerging technologies and to deliver high-impact collaborative research and services to enable advanced manufacturing for a broad range of clients across Ireland’s manufacturing network.

What IMR offers:

• An opportunity to contribute to the national economic growth agenda
• A competitive salary and pension
• A friendly and flexible working environment with State-of-the-art Innovation Centres
• Lots of diversity in terms of people, technology, projects and ideas
• The opportunity to join a dynamic and committed team
• Interaction with a diverse range of industrial clients and state partners
• 5 weeks holidays

About PEACEPLUS DATUM programme

As part of the PECEPLUS Programme, Irish Manufacturing Research (IMR) is helping to lead a joint EU and UK digitalisation initiative across Northern Ireland and the border counties. As a Digital Innovation Hub, IMR act as a one-stop-shop for Industry to access technology, R&D capability, knowledge, funding supports and services from across the research ecosystem in Ireland and Europe. Our primary objective is to work with Irish industrial partners to introduce new technology to them that will improve their competitiveness on a global stage and futureproof employment security in this critical sector for our national economy.

The Role:

Irish Manufacturing Research (IMR) is seeking a Senior Automation Transformation Advisor for the PEACEPLUS DATUM programme at Senior Technologist level on a 23-month contract basis.

The successful candidate will work as part of the delivery team with a particular focus on advising manufacturing companies on automation strategy: facilitating client workshops, assessing current levels of automation and operational performance, identifying where automation can best address business needs, and shaping practical, well-justified automation roadmaps and solutions. This role will also extend to commercial client engagements depending on demand and priority.

For this new role, we are seeking a professional, who wants to further advance their career as a leading expert in Industrial Automation Transformation in Ireland and internationally over the coming years.

Key Responsibilities:

• Drive Irish Manufacturing Research’s automation advisory offerings both nationally and internationally, through the PEACEPLUS DATUM programme and wider commercial engagements.
• Host workshops in client companies with Senior Leadership and operations teams in both SME and multinational organisations to understand business objectives, operational challenges and current levels of automation maturity across multiple industry sectors.
• Carry out on-site assessments of manufacturing and supply chain processes (e.g. line walks, process mapping, cycle time and bottleneck analysis) to identify and prioritise automation opportunities.
• Develop automation strategies and phased roadmaps aligned to client business needs, covering areas such as industrial and collaborative robotics, machine tending, material handling, machine vision and inspection, and flexible automation.
• Build business cases for automation investment, including high-level concept design, cost and ROI/payback analysis, risk assessment, and consideration of workforce and skills impacts.
• Advise clients on technology and vendor selection, integration approaches and routes to implementation, remaining independent and focused on the client’s best interests.
• Contribute to IMR’s structured readiness assessments, such as the Smart Industry Readiness Index (SIRI), with a particular focus on automation and process dimensions.
• Connect clients with IMR’s robotics and automation capability, pilot lines and demonstrators, and with follow-on R&D projects and funding supports where appropriate.
• Engage with existing clients and support the growth of our client base through networking, visiting client facilities, attendance at conferences, etc.
• Provide coaching and support across the team to continuously improve the delivery process and IMR’s automation assessment tools and methodologies.

Required Skills and Experience:

• B.Sc. or Masters degree in Mechanical, Mechatronic, Industrial or Electrical/Electronic Engineering or a related discipline.
• Minimum 8 years’ experience working in industry, with a focus on specifying, implementing or integrating automation and robotic systems in a manufacturing or supply chain sector.
• Strong understanding of industrial automation technologies, including industrial and collaborative robots, PLCs and control systems, machine vision, end-of-arm tooling, material handling, and relevant machinery and robot safety standards.
• Demonstrated ability to translate business needs into automation requirements and to develop credible business cases, including ROI/payback and total cost of ownership.
• An understanding of Industry 4.0/5.0 concepts, including how automation connects with digitalisation (e.g. IIoT, MES, data capture) and human-centric approaches to automation.
• Customer facing with excellent communication and client management across multi-disciplinary teams, with the credibility to engage at senior leadership level.
• Ability to encourage discourse within a group to extract information efficiently.
• Ability to manage project scope and customer expectations during the project duration.
• Experience of Lean, Six Sigma or other operational excellence methods, and knowledge of the automation vendor and system integrator landscape, will be a plus.
• Experience delivering training internally and externally, will be a plus.
• Ability to work as part of a team or autonomously while also providing coaching support.
• A self-starter, with a passion for learning and applying new concepts.
• Access to own transport and legal ability to drive unaccompanied in Ireland.

Location:

Candidates will be required to be resident in Ireland. IMR offices are situated in Rathcoole, Co. Dublin and Mullingar, Co. Westmeath. This role will be based in our Mullingar office. We offer a hybrid working model with onsite presence in the office required at least one day per week. Travel between offices and client sites will be required from time to time.

Salary & Benefits:

This position will command a package consisting of basic salary (€87,743 - €96,011 depending on qualifications and experience), employer pension contribution and 5 weeks holidays.

Closing Date:

All applicants must include an up-to-date version of their CV with their application. Electronic applicants only via LinkedIn or to careers@imr.ie

Closing date for receipt of all applications is noon Wednesday, 4th November 2026. We reserve the right to close the vacancy early should we receive sufficient applications. Early application is encouraged.

Interviews are expected to take place week commencing 16th November 2026.

IMR is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. We actively promote equity and equal opportunity in all aspects of employment and welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds, experiences, and identities. We do not discriminate based on age, disability, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, or any other protected characteristic. We strive to ensure our recruitment processes are fair, accessible, and free from bias.