R&D Technician

About the Company

Alcon is focused on advancing eye care and improving patient outcomes through innovative work, rapid execution, and a strong commitment to quality. The company emphasizes inclusion, values diverse talent, and aims to create meaningful impact for patients and customers.

Role Overview

This is a 12-month fixed-term position based in Cork for an R&D & Moulding Technician. The role supports R&D engineering work across equipment specification, purchasing, installation, validation, and rollout of new machinery and tooling used in developing and manufacturing new products and processes at the Ireland site. It also involves supporting equipment upkeep across moulding, curing, metrology, cleaning, chemical processing, and packaging systems.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the engineering team with defining, designing, and sourcing new equipment.
• Contribute to R&D process development, characterization, and optimization work.
• Help prepare and execute validation documentation, including risk assessments, validation assessments, commissioning records, and related execution files.
• Maintain R&D engineering equipment and supporting utility systems.
• Carry out moulding machine setup, tooling changes, and preventive maintenance tasks.
• Build, assemble, and install new equipment at the site, including arranging spare parts for existing or newly introduced assets.
• Work with suppliers and external contractors to gather quotations, method statements, and risk assessments, and help coordinate contractor activity onsite.
• Provide immediate technical support for R&D process and utility equipment issues.
• Report progress daily to the supervisor or project engineer and raise concerns early.
• Deliver assigned project milestones on schedule and within budget.
• Support safety risk assessments for new equipment and processes.
• Investigate process problems, document findings, and share proposed solutions with engineering.
• Maintain compliance with the company’s quality system requirements.
• Ensure all work follows health, safety, and environmental standards.

Requirements

• A preferred Level 7 qualification in an engineering or technical field.
• At least 3 to 5 years of experience in a similar technical position within the medical device sector.
• Preferred background of 5 or more years in a comparable technical role in medical devices.
• Strong ability to diagnose issues in electrical, mechanical, and pneumatic equipment.
• Practical familiarity with robotics, PLCs, and vision systems.
• Experience working with highly automated equipment, including operation and repair.
• Basic understanding of networks and troubleshooting methods.
• Exposure to Veeva, Maximo, and Teamcenter is preferred.
• Ability to work independently and take initiative.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including structured problem-solving methods.
• Knowledge of ISO, FDA, and GMP requirements.

Perks and Benefits

• Competitive compensation with fixed salary, bonus, pension, and health insurance.
• Flexible working environment with supportive and respectful colleagues.
• Learning, growth, and development opportunities to support career progression.

Additional Information

This position is offered on a 12-month fixed-term contract in Cork, County Cork, Ireland. Internal applicants who are current Alcon employees or contingent workers are directed to use the internal career process.