Whether you’re a qualified local professional or an overseas engineer eyeing a career move, the UK and Irish markets are bursting with opportunities for skilled electrical engineers. As industries evolve and infrastructure scales up, demand continues to surge, particularly in sectors like energy, data centres, transport, and manufacturing.
In this blog, we explore where the opportunities are across Ireland and the UK, what’s driving demand, and what type of roles are available, from shift-based maintenance jobs to high-spec project work. If you’re ready to power up your career, now is the time.
Many pharmaceutical, food, and electronics companies across Ireland and the UK are expanding, creating jobs for maintenance and instrumentation engineers.
The Current Landscape: A Surge in Electrical Demand
Electrical engineers are in consistently high demand across both public and private sectors. According to data from EngineeringUK and Engineers Ireland, the number of vacancies for electrical and electronics engineers has remained one of the most resilient across all engineering disciplines, outpacing even mechanical and civil roles in some areas.
Here’s why:
- Green energy targets are pushing investment into solar, wind, and grid modernisation.
- Data centre construction is booming in Ireland.
- Housing, commercial and transport infrastructure in the UK requires electrical upgrades and smart systems.
- Manufacturing automation and process industries are hiring electrical engineers to oversee maintenance, PLC systems, and electrical control networks.
Key Industries Hiring Electrical Engineers
Renewables and Energy Transition
The UK and Ireland have both committed to net-zero carbon targets by 2050, creating a huge demand for engineers in solar farms, offshore wind projects, battery storage systems, and electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure.
Electrical engineers are central to:
- Grid connection design
- Power electronics and substations
- SCADA systems and HV/MV installations
Hotspots: Cork, Galway, Aberdeen, East Anglia, Northern Ireland
Data Centres and ICT Infrastructure
Ireland, especially around Dublin’s “data centre cluster,” is one of the fastest-growing markets in Europe for ICT infrastructure. These mega-facilities require highly skilled electrical professionals for:
- Low voltage (LV) and high voltage (HV) power distribution
- Redundancy system design
- UPS and cooling systems integration
Hotspots: Dublin, Limerick, Reading, Slough, London
Manufacturing and Pharma
Many pharmaceutical, food, and electronics companies across Ireland and the UK are expanding, creating jobs for maintenance and instrumentation engineers. These roles often involve:
- PLC troubleshooting
- Machine installation
- Electrical control panel upgrades
- Working closely with multidisciplinary teams on continuous improvement
Hotspots: Waterford, Mayo, Manchester, Midlands, Antrim
Transport and Infrastructure
Major rail, airport and EV infrastructure projects are creating ongoing demand for:
- Power system engineers
- Electrical site managers
- CAD/Revit electrical design professionals
- Testing and commissioning engineers
Hotspots: London, Birmingham, Leeds, Cork, Belfast
Contract, Shift or Project-Based: What’s the Right Role?
The nature of electrical engineering work varies greatly by industry. Here’s a snapshot of common work formats:
PE Global recruits across all of these categories, and we’re seeing a growing number of employers offer flexible hybrid or contract-to-perm arrangements, especially for hard-to-fill roles.
Relocation and Overseas Interest
If you’re based overseas, the UK and Ireland remain attractive destinations due to:
- Strong demand for English-speaking electrical engineers
- Clear routes for work permits (particularly in shortage occupations)
- Opportunities to work in emerging tech sectors
- Competitive pay and excellent career growth potential
Our team supports engineers with visa guidance, onboarding assistance, and local insights to ease your transition.
Skills That Will Boost Your Employability
To stand out in today’s job market, consider highlighting the following:
- Experience with HV/LV systems
- Knowledge of IEE Wiring Regulations (BS 7671) or Irish ETCI standards
- Familiarity with BIM and electrical design software
- Understanding of health and safety (e.g. Safe Electric, NICEIC)
- Strong communication and site coordination skills
CPD certifications in areas like automation, renewables or safety systems are also highly valued by employers.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
At PE Global, we work with leading employers across Ireland and the UK to place electrical engineers in roles that match their skills, career goals, and preferred work formats.
From contract assignments in data centres to permanent roles in energy or manufacturing, there’s never been a better time to make your move.
Search our current electrical engineering jobs now or upload your CV to be matched with tailored opportunities.
