Sustaining Mechanical Engineer (Contract/Freelance)
Contract Duration: 12 months (40 hours/week)
Location: County Galway, Ireland - On-site with hybrid flexibility (4 days on-site / 1 day remote)
Start Date: January
Sector: Medical Devices
About the Role
Lead sustaining and cost-saving initiatives within a Value Improvement Process (VIP) framework. This is a hands-on, cross-functional role where you will define scope, drive execution, and close projects end-to-end without a dedicated project manager.
Key Responsibilities
Own and deliver multiple sustaining/VIP projects focused on cost reduction and product/value improvements.
Define scope, timelines, resources, and success criteria; ensure effective execution and formal project closure.
Lead cross-functional collaboration (Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, Supply Chain).
Identify savings/efficiency opportunities and implement robust, compliant, sustainable solutions.
Prepare project documentation, regular updates, and status reports for stakeholders and HR/TA.
Champion continuous improvement and risk mitigation across the product portfolio.
Required Experience & Skills
Proven track record delivering sustaining engineering projects with measurable cost savings.
Strong mechanical engineering background in medical devices or other regulated manufacturing.
End-to-end project ownership: scoping, execution, validation/verification, close-out.
Effective stakeholder management and clear, professional communication.
Practical problem-solving, data-driven decision-making, and familiarity with change control.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience with VIP frameworks or formal value engineering methodologies.
Exposure to small-to-mid-sized multinational environments.
Knowledge of DFM (Design for Manufacturability), supplier optimisation, and lifecycle management.
How to Apply
Apply via this platform and include a short paragraph insert detailing the cost-saving projects you have worked on and sustaining experience. Applications with this will be prioritised.
Please click to find out more about our Key Information Documents. Please note that the documents provided contain generic information. If we are successful in finding you an assignment, you will receive a Key Information Document which will be specific to the vendor set-up you have chosen and your placement.
To find out more about Real, please visit
Real Staffing, a trading division of SThree Partnership LLP is acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy | Registered office | 8 Bishopsgate, London, EC2N 4BQ, United Kingdom | Partnership Number | OC(phone number removed) England and Wales