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Contractor guide
Ireland is one of the busiest places in Europe for pharma, biotech and medtech contracts. Here is what CQV, validation, process, automation and quality contractors do, how contracts are set up and what Irish sites look for.
| Role | What you do | Keywords in contract roles |
|---|---|---|
| CQV engineer | Commissioning, qualification and validation of equipment, utilities and facilities | IQ, OQ, PQ, FAT, SAT, URS, Annex 15 |
| CSV engineer | Validation of computerised systems and data integrity | GAMP 5, Annex 11, 21 CFR Part 11, data integrity |
| Process engineer | Process design, tech transfer and support for manufacturing | Upstream, downstream, fill finish, tech transfer |
| Automation engineer | Control systems, batch and manufacturing execution systems | DeltaV, PLC, SCADA, MES |
| QA specialist | Batch record review, deviations, CAPA and change control | GMP, deviations, CAPA, change control, batch release |
Many of the world's largest pharmaceutical, biotech and medical device companies run manufacturing sites in Ireland, with clusters around Cork, Dublin, Limerick, Galway and the south east. New facilities, expansions, tech transfers and shutdowns create a steady demand for engineers and quality specialists for a defined period, which is exactly what contracts are for.
CQV engineers take a system from design to routine use: they write and execute commissioning and qualification protocols, manage deviations and close out the validation package. Experience with a given type of equipment (bioreactors, isolators, cleanrooms, utilities) and with electronic validation systems is often what decides who gets the contract.
QA specialists review batch records, handle deviations, CAPA and change control, and support inspections. Regulatory affairs contractors prepare submissions and variations. Both need solid knowledge of EU GMP and, for many sites, of the FDA rules.
Contractors are usually placed by engineering consultancies and specialist life sciences recruiters, who post new roles on LinkedIn with the site location, the duration and the rate. Contracts are often site based, at least during commissioning and qualification, so check the location and the hybrid policy before you apply.
This guide gives general information based on public sources. Requirements vary by site and by project: always check what each contract role asks for.
See the latest pharma contractsWhat does CQV mean?
CQV stands for commissioning, qualification and validation. It covers the work that proves equipment, utilities, facilities and processes are installed and run as intended, from installation qualification (IQ) and operational qualification (OQ) to performance qualification (PQ), in line with EU GMP Annex 15.
Who regulates pharma manufacturing in Ireland?
The Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) is the Irish regulator. Sites follow EU GMP, and sites that export to America are also inspected against the FDA rules, which is why contract roles often mention both.
How long are pharma contracts in Ireland?
Most CQV and validation contracts run from 6 to 12 months and are tied to a project phase, such as a new facility, an expansion, a tech transfer or a shutdown. Extensions are common when a project moves to the next phase.
Are pharma contracts paid per day or per hour?
Both. Engineering consultancies and agencies often quote an hourly rate for site based roles and a day rate for others. Freelance Radar shows the rate as written and converts hourly rates to a day rate on the basis of an 8 hour day for its statistics.
Do I need a limited company for a pharma contract?
Not always. Many pharma contracts are open to contractors with their own limited company and to contractors paid through an umbrella company. Check what the agency or consultancy accepts before you sign.
