Job Summary
This position is with KME Steelworks Ltd. The role forms part of an Innovation Boost project supported by InterTradeIreland. Salary support under the programme is provided for 12 months; however, the employment contract is with KME Steelworks Ltd and is not limited to the funding period.
Company Introduction
KME Steelworks Ltd is a long-established Northern Ireland engineering and manufacturing company with over 40 years of experience delivering high-quality fabrication solutions to customers across the screening and crushing, recycling, materials handling, precast concrete and data centre sectors.
The company has developed a strong reputation for engineering excellence, investment in advanced manufacturing technologies and a commitment to continuous improvement. Operating from a modern manufacturing facility, KME combines skilled personnel with advanced fabrication and automation equipment to serve customers throughout the UK and Ireland.
KME is currently pursuing an ambitious growth strategy, including expansion within the rapidly growing data centre sector and increasing market share across its established industries. The business has significant available manufacturing capacity and is investing in innovation, digitalisation and process improvement to support future growth and competitiveness.
As part of this commitment, KME is collaborating with Atlantic Technological University (ATU) Donegal through the InterTradeIreland Innovation Boost programme to identify and implement advanced engineering and manufacturing solutions. This project will provide the successful graduate with the opportunity to work on a strategic business improvement programme, gain exposure to senior management, collaborate with academic experts and make a measurable impact on business performance.
KME offers a supportive and collaborative working environment where employees are encouraged to develop new skills, contribute ideas and progress their careers. The company is committed to investing in people, technology and innovation to ensure long-term growth and success.
Job Description
This is an exciting opportunity for a graduate engineer to play a key role in KME Steelworks' digital transformation programme.
Working closely with senior management, production teams and academic experts from ATU Donegal, the successful candidate will lead projects that improve manufacturing efficiency, increase automation, enhance data visibility and support business growth.
This is a manufacturing engineering position focused on applying digital technologies, process improvement techniques and Industry 4.0 principles to solve real operational challenges within a busy engineering environment.
The successful candidate will work closely with engineering, production and management teams to gain a comprehensive understanding of manufacturing operations while developing skills in manufacturing systems, digitalisation, automation, Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement.
Key Responsibilities
The successful candidate will:
- Identify opportunities to improve manufacturing processes through digitalisation and automation.
- Analyse production workflows and recommend improvements to efficiency, productivity and quality.
- Develop digital solutions to reduce manual administration and improve information flow.
- Support the implementation of manufacturing data collection, reporting and performance monitoring systems.
- Work with production teams to improve planning, scheduling and resource utilisation.
- Contribute to continuous improvement and Industry 4.0 initiatives across the business.
- Liaise with ATU Donegal, equipment suppliers and internal stakeholders to deliver project objectives.
Why Join KME Steelworks?
KME Steelworks is an established engineering business with over 40 years of manufacturing experience and ambitious plans for future growth. The company is investing in innovation, automation and digital technologies to increase competitiveness and expand within high-growth sectors including data centre infrastructure.
This role offers a unique opportunity to:
- Lead a strategically important innovation project.
- Gain experience working directly with senior management.
- Collaborate with academic and industry experts.
- Develop expertise in digital manufacturing and Industry 4.0 technologies.
- Make a measurable impact on business performance.
- Build a long-term career within a growing engineering company.
Benefits
- Pension scheme
- 29 days annual leave (including statutory holidays)
- Westfield Health
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Training and professional development opportunities
- Free on-site parking
- Career progression opportunities
The successful graduate will lead this project, in a supportive partnership with Atlantic Technological University (ATU) as part of InterTradeIreland’s Innovation Boost Programme.
Interviews will be held approximately week commencing: 16/11/2026