Ireland’s MedTech sector is thriving. It already employs 38,000 people here plus, when you look at the figures on a per capita basis, Ireland has the second largest number of MedTech professionals in Europe.
The sector exports €12.6 billion worth of products every year to more than 100 countries. In addition, nine of the top 10 companies in the MedTech industry have operations here in Ireland.
There is also a strong group of Irish-based companies in the MedTech sector. In fact, of the 450-or-so MedTech companies that currently exist, about 60 percent of them are Irish companies.
Then there are companies like SL Controls that provide core services to the MedTech industry. This increases the numbers of companies involved in the sector even further.
MedTech Employment Opportunities
Given the size and vibrancy of the MedTech industry in Ireland, it is not surprising there are plenty of employment opportunities for individuals with the right skills and experience. There are three main reasons for this:
- The size of the sector at the moment
- The growth the sector is currently experiencing
- The high-skilled nature of the jobs the sector needs
So, if you are an engineer working in a field that has a correlation with the MedTech sector, or you think your skills are transferable, it is an industry you should consider moving into.
The specific roles the MedTech sector currently needs include controls system engineers, validation engineers, automation engineers, and more.
Tips for Working in the MedTech Sector
- Look beyond Dublin – there are MedTech companies in Dublin, some of which we work with at SL Controls. Our other regional offices also work with exciting MedTech companies too, however. This includes regions like Limerick, Galway, and Sligo. So, Dublin is not your only option.
- Explore companies providing services to the MedTech industry – this means companies like SL Controls. We help medical device manufacturers improve productivity and increase efficiencies in their production lines. Plus, there are other companies that, like us, support Ireland’s MedTech sector too. Working for a company like SL Controls will give you a broad range of experience not just in MedTech, but in other high-growth industries such as pharmaceutical manufacturing.
- Get as much experience as you can – like any career, experience is important, so get as much as you can. This can be formal experience, but it can also involve, for example, getting informal exposure to new technologies.
- Remain agile and flexible – the MedTech industry is changing fast with advances in technology helping companies create new and exciting products. The wider manufacturing industry is changing fast too, not least because of factory automation and other Industry 4.0 technologies. Everyone working in these fields, therefore, needs to remain flexible while also being open to learning new skills and getting experience of new technologies.
- Upskill – following on from the last point, identify any skills gaps you have and take steps to upskill in those areas. This will help make you more employable.
To get an idea of the types of roles that currently exist in MedTech and related industries, check out our engineering vacancies. Who knows: your pivot towards medical technology could see you working for SL Controls to improve the manufacturing processes of MedTech companies in Ireland.