‘There are many pathways to becoming an excellent engineer’

Kevin O’Riordan explains what potential applicants need to know in advance of a career at Acuity.

In September of last year, US industrial technology company Acuity announced plans to create 100 jobs out of its Cork-based facility, which is its new Global Digital Centre of Excellence, located in the city centre. 

As March is when Silicon Republic often focuses on subjects aligned with all things engineering, now seemed like an ideal opportunity to check back in with Acuity and explore what prospective candidates should know if they have plans of developing a career in this field. 

Kevin O’Riordan, the vice-president of technology and site leader at Acuity, explained the organisation has already employed more than 30 engineers and leaders across cloud‑native development, embedded systems, UI engineering and DevOps, however, there are still plenty of opportunities open to jobseekers looking for a new role in Cork.

“We are actively hiring for a wide range of roles, including software engineers (at all levels), software QA and automation, DevOps engineers, architects and technical leads, data and AI engineers and product managers,” he said. “New roles are being added regularly as we scale toward more than 100 software engineering R&D positions over the next three years.”

So how can a potential candidate stand out, as they look towards a new professional opportunity?

Skills and thrills

O’Riordan said Acuity is looking for people who are passionate about technology, with a curious nature who have a penchant for solving real-world problems. Strong collaboration skills are critical and candidates who can demonstrate initiative and a genuine interest in shaping the technology landscape stand out.

He added: “Because our product ecosystem spans multiple technology layers, we hire for a broad range of skills. We’re seeking engineers for a variety of projects with experience in any of embedded, cloud-native or application and UI. Desirable skills, depending on the role, include Python, AI, Azure, embedded C/C++, C#, modern JavaScript and React.

“For early career applicants, qualifications matter, but demonstrated skills, practical experience and personal projects carry significant weight. There are many pathways to becoming an excellent engineer, and we value all of them.”

The might of Munster

With many of Ireland’s key organisations and working hubs located in the capital, O’Riordan noted that the decision to establish Acuity in Cork was a “deliberate, strategic choice”, as Cork offers a “thriving tech hub with the talent, community and momentum to support a highly networked culture”. 

He said: “Our investment reinforces Cork’s growing reputation as a hub for innovation, talent and digital advancement. From day one, we’ve been intentional about integrating into the community, partnering with local organisations, supporting charity initiatives and sourcing materials and suppliers locally where possible.

“We are also contributing to the region’s long‑term talent pipeline through internships, graduate hiring and deep partnerships with local universities. By bringing advanced R&D work to Cork, we’re strengthening the broader tech ecosystem and supporting the city’s continued economic momentum.”

He also noted, perhaps with students attending university in the region in mind, that university partnerships are crucial to shaping the next generation of engineers in Ireland. “Cork’s institutions offer world‑class education, research capabilities and a diverse, motivated talent pipeline.”

For anyone interested in engaging with the organisation via their educational institution, O’Riordan said: “Our work with UCC, MTU and partners like Tyndall National Institute includes internships, course engagement, guest sessions that give students real-world insight, and early‑stage research exploration. These partnerships strengthen both Acuity and the broader ecosystem while ensuring students gain meaningful exposure to industry.”

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