OPW Senior Engineering Draughtsperson 2026: candidate guide

The OPW needs someone who can move a civil or structural project from early information to issued construction documents, while controlling quality and supporting engineers. The post also carries supervision of Engineering Draughtspersons when required.

The two entry routes

Candidates must meet either of these by 3 September 2026:

• a minimum Level 6 qualification in civil engineering or a related discipline, plus at least three years of relevant post-qualification civil or structural experience; or
• the professional title Engineering Technician, EngTech MIEI, plus at least three years of relevant civil or structural experience.

The role also requires experience preparing preliminary, tender and construction drawings and documents, BIM experience and awareness of ISO 19650, Revit Structure, excellent AutoCAD proficiency, knowledge of Irish regulations and standards, and multidisciplinary teamwork.

What the job involves

The post reports to a Principal Engineering Draughtsperson or designated engineer. Work includes drawings and documents for OPW civil and structural projects, document control under ISO 9001, attendance at site meetings and allocation of work to other draughting staff.

The drawing range can include general arrangements, structural details in several materials, drainage, wastewater, retaining structures and other civil works. The application should show where you took ownership rather than saying you “assisted with drawings”.

Build evidence from project stages

Choose one project and map your contribution through four moments:

1. the information or design problem at the start;
2. the drawings or model you personally produced;
3. the coordination, checking and document-control steps;
4. what changed during tender, construction or site review.

Then add a second example for staff allocation, coaching or managing competing requests. This gives the panel technical depth and the senior part of the grade.

If the project involved a mistake or clash, do not hide it. A controlled correction can show judgement, quality discipline and communication better than a project that appears frictionless.

Aptitude-test status

The booklet includes a general paragraph saying candidates may take online assessment tests for certain competitions. It does not say this campaign will use them and does not name numerical, verbal or other test formats.

The current evidence supports application and interview preparation. Keep watching publicjobs messages. If a technical or online exercise is issued, use its own instructions.

The wider sequence is explained in the publicjobs application process.

Booklet reading order

Page 4 explains the OPW section and role. Pages 6 to 8 contain the entry requirements and desirable evidence. Page 10 gives the salary scale. The competition-process and conditional-test wording appears around pages 15 to 17.

PSP checked the official material on 14 August 2026. Use the live booklet for the final application.