Electrical Engineer

As an Electrical Engineer you design, develop, install and maintain electrical systems and equipment across a wide range of industries, including energy, construction, manufacturing, medical technology and utilities. Your daily work involves analysing system requirements, preparing technical drawings and specifications, and overseeing the installation and commissioning of electrical infrastructure. You collaborate closely with other engineers, project managers, contractors and clients to ensure that systems are safe, efficient and compliant with Irish and European standards. In a mining or extraction context, you supervise the procurement and maintenance of specialist electrical equipment underground, manage emergency procedures and keep detailed records of all operations.

A Level 8 Honours Bachelor degree in Electrical Engineering or Electronic Engineering is the typical entry route, available at UCD, UCC, TU Dublin, University of Limerick, ATU and other technological universities. Helpful Leaving Certificate subjects include Mathematics (Higher Level is strongly advised), Physics, and Design and Communication Graphics, as these underpin the engineering principles you will study. CAO points requirements vary by institution and year; engineering programmes are competitive, so strong results in science and mathematics are important. A Level 9 Master's degree or specialised postgraduate diploma can open doors to senior roles or specialist areas such as power systems, renewables or medical devices. Graduates are encouraged to register with Engineers Ireland as a Graduate Engineer and work towards Chartered Engineer (CEng) status, which is the recognised professional benchmark in Ireland. There is no PLC route directly into professional electrical engineering, though a Level 6 or Level 7 qualification in electrical technology can provide a foundation for progression.