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JOB SYNOPSIS
Please note the full job description is available on the University of Limerick vacancies page.
Buildings and Estates (B&E) is a customer‑driven department that aspires to provide excellent service to the University of Limerick (UL) campus and wider community. B&E’s mission is to support UL in achieving its goals; its vision is to provide outstanding physical facilities for the pursuit of academic, cultural and recreational activities; its ethos is to sustain and seek to continually improve the quality of all services that it provides to the campus community. In keeping with the Government of Ireland’s Climate Action Plan, UL is mandated to reduce its CO2 emissions by 51% by 2030 and increase its energy efficiency by 50% within the same timeframe. This will require a range of technical projects to be completed and accordingly B&E require a Decarbonisation and Energy Engineer to join their team.
Contract Type: Permanent
University of Limerick is a research‑led, energetic and enterprising institution with a proud record of innovation and excellence in education and scholarships. We value creativity, curiosity and excellence in our inclusive community which is committed to social good. Our motto Eagna chun Gnímh translates as Wisdom for Action reflecting our mission to contribute to the discovery of new knowledge for a better world.
Informal enquiries regarding the post may be directed to:
Mr Chris Fogarty
University of Limerick
The closing date for receipt of applications is Friday, 30th January 2026.
Applications must be completed online before 12 noon, Irish Standard Time on the closing date.
Please note your application must include:
A letter of introduction and a current CV indicating how you meet the criteria outlined in the Job description.
A completed online application form.
Are you currently legally entitled to work and reside in Ireland?
If you are not currently an EEA Citizen and have stated, you are currently legally entitled to work and reside in Ireland. You MUST upload a copy of your current Visa and Work permit in the attachments section application form, or your application will not be processed.
Please note your current work authorisation status must allow you to fulfil the terms of the contract on offer.
JOB PURPOSE
Reporting to the Energy Manager, the Decarbonisation and Energy Engineer will play a central role in delivering decarbonisation projects such as installing heat pumps, roof‑mounted solar panels, and energy efficiency upgrades of equipment such as air handling units, lighting, pumps, fans, motors in addition to hardware, software and strategy improvements to the University’s existing Building Management System. This will require playing a key role in appraising, planning, preparing business cases for, overseeing and conducting post‑implementation reviews of both decarbonisation and energy efficiency projects. The job will entail:
Working collaboratively with colleagues in delivering a range of decarbonisation projects e.g. heat pumps, bi‑valent heating systems, photovoltaic, system upgrades, low‑carbon technologies, fabric improvements.
Equipping B&E Management with the information necessary to optimise energy consuming equipment and utilities systems across the UL campus.
Supporting the development, implementation and continual improvement of a formal energy management system to include attainment and retention of ISO 50001.
Identifying decarbonisation and energy saving opportunities through conducting energy audits, analysing and evaluating resultant data and making recommendations on prioritisation.
Appraising, planning, developing business cases, identifying funding streams, overseeing and conducting post‑implementation reviews of decarbonisation and energy efficiency projects.
Supporting projects that are closely linked to energy efficiency, utilities and carbon reduction (e.g. waste‑to‑energy initiatives, resource efficiency, circular economy practices where relevant to energy consumption)
Providing the technical input to facilitate integrating energy and sustainability considerations across construction, operations and maintenance.
In addition, the Decarbonisation and Energy Engineer will provide technical assistance, oversight and expertise across a range of decarbonisation and energy efficiency‑focussed projects and contribute to the development of strategic documents including the B&E Design Guide; UL Climate Action Roadmap; Energy Policy; Decarbonisation Plan; Annual Report etc.
KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES
Decarbonisation Project Identification, Delivery and Technical Oversight
Play a key role in leading and managing energy efficiency and decarbonisation projects from concept to completion (ranging in scale from tens‑of‑thousands to millions of euros in value) in support of UL’s government‑mandated decarbonisation and energy efficiency targets.
Provide technical guidance to colleagues undertaking energy efficiency and decarbonisation projects and oversee the use of sustainability assessment methodologies (e.g., BREEAM, LEED, EXEED)
Identify and equip B&E management with the information necessary to secure and administer internal and external funding, including grant applications, e.g. SEAI, HEA, EEOS etc. to support project delivery.
Through the collection, evaluation and assessment of data relating to specific buildings/items of plant (e.g. by energy auditing, DEC certification etc.) develop and maintain a register of both small and large‑scale decarbonisation and energy efficiency projects that will demonstrably contribute to UL’s government‑mandated targets as verified by using SEAI’s Gap to Target Tool.
Conduct feasibility studies, technical appraisals and life‑cycle carbon/energy analyses.
Oversee design teams, consultants and contractors to ensure high‑quality technically robust project outcomes.
Support heat pump installation, PV deployment, electrification of heat, plant optimisation and transition to low‑carbon technologies.
Play a central role in leading upgrades to key campus assets including AHUs, pumps, motors, lighting, HVAC and controls systems.
Prepare and evaluate tender documentation and ensure procurement in line with public sector requirements.
Equip B&E Management with the information necessary to prepare business cases, cost–benefit analyses and funding applications (e.g., SEAI, HEA)
Conduct post‑project evaluations including M&V, performance verification and commissioning reviews with a view to capturing and optimising plant/building performance.
KNOWLEDGE, FUNCTIONAL SKILLS, EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS
Honours third level qualification (Level 8NFQ) in engineering (i.e. mechanical, electrical, building services, energy) or a relevant technical discipline.
Minimum 3 years’ post‑qualification experience delivering decarbonisation and energy efficiency projects.
Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with colleagues in delivering a range of decarbonisation projects e.g. heat pumps, bi‑valent heating systems, photovoltaic, system upgrades, lighting, metering projects, low‑carbon technologies, fabric improvements etc.
Project management experience in appraising, planning, preparing business cases, overseeing implementation, budget management and conducting post‑implementation reviews of both decarbonisation and energy efficiency projects.
Strong knowledge of BMS systems i.e. Cylon, Tridium, utilities metering and decarbonisation tools, techniques and options.
Knowledge of energy management systems e.g. ISO 50001, sustainability frameworks (BREEAM, LEED, EXEED) and public procurement.
Detailed knowledge of the Safety Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 and its associated regulations, in particular the 2013 Construction Regulations and their application to this position.
Detailed knowledge and experience of relevant procurement guidelines (i.e. CWMF suite of documentation) Infrastructure Guidelines, public works contracts, construction contract law/guidelines, and best practice.
Extensive knowledge of the Irish construction regulatory and market environment.
Experience and understanding of planning procedures and protocols.
Proficiency in energy metering tools, analysis, and reporting.
Excellent communication, analytical, and organisational skills.
Experience in higher education/public sector environments and multi‑building campus environment.
Experience in securing funding (e.g. SEAI, HEA etc.)
High proficiency with Microsoft Office suite of packages.
Professional certification in energy management e.g. CEM, REP, CMVP, ISO 50001.
Negotiation and persuasion skills with the ability to motivate people and coordinate effectively between specialist groups.
Understanding of planning procedures and protocols.
Commitment to continuous professional development.
Membership of a relevant professional body.
Seniority level
Mid‑Senior level
Employment type
Full‑time
Job function
Higher Education and Energy Technology
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