EirGrid has ambitious plans to recruit more than 300 people by the end of this year to support its objective of leading Ireland’s transition to a low-carbon renewable energy future. The electricity grid developer and operator has more than doubled staff numbers in recent years and now employs just under 1,000 people.
That number will rise to 1,300 people by 2030, according to EirGrid chief people and capability officer Sarah Downing. “We will probably get there sooner than that,” she adds. “At present we are hiring for a wide variety of roles including technical engineering, client engineer, IT roles, analysts and controllers.”
Competition for talent in these areas is intense at present, but Downing believes EirGrid’s combination of purpose, culture, career progression opportunities, excellent benefits packages, and the opportunity to work with cutting-edge technologies, makes the organisation a very attractive proposition.
“Our purpose makes us very attractive,” says Downing. “People want to come to work for companies with a really strong purpose. EirGrid is actively transforming how Ireland is powered to help decarbonise the energy system by 2030. Every role at EirGrid contributes to something bigger – powering homes, businesses and communities, while addressing the climate challenge head-on and making Ireland a better place.”
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While purpose may attract people, it is the culture that makes them stay, she continues. “We are very proud of the really strong culture we have built here. We are constantly listening to our staff and striving to make our culture better. We benchmark our culture, and we have recently been accredited as a Great Place to Work. This independently verified accreditation recognises organisations that create outstanding employee experience.”
In addition, the company has been ranked 15th of super-large organisations in the 2026 Ireland’s Best Workplaces list. These awards acknowledge organisations across various industries and sizes that prioritise employee wellbeing, growth and engagement.
“We have also been recognised as one of the best employers in Ireland for women by [certifying body] Great Place to Work,” Downing adds. “The energy and engineering sectors are traditionally male-dominated, so it is very important for us to make EirGrid a great workplace for women.”
Wider diversity and inclusion is an important element of EirGrid’s culture. Noting that the organisation now has 56 nationalities represented in its workforce, Downing says: “We’re dedicated to diversity and inclusion at Eirgrid. We recognise the strength that comes from having a diverse workforce and the importance of a supportive culture for all our people to achieve their potential.”
The organisation has established four inclusion networks – Culture Connect, Gender Matters, Pride and disability network Seen (which stands for “supported, embraced, enabled, nurtured”). “Our networks run events and help to mark and celebrate important days, such as International Women’s Day, which is run by our Gender Matters group. The networks have made a difference right across the business and have made positive change in all aspects, from induction, with the Culture Connect group running an introduction to Irish culture event, to the health of our people, with the Seen network bringing the Vision Van on site for eye tests.”
As a semi-State organisation, EirGrid offers valuable long-term stability as well as defined career pathways, and a supportive environment that values staff wellbeing and life beyond work, Downing points out.
Flexibility is a key element of the benefits package. The organisation operates a three-two hybrid working model, and staff can work flexible hours, starting as late as 10am and leaving as early as 4pm.
EirGrid also has strong learning and development frameworks to support people on their career paths. “Not everyone wants to climb the ladder. Many people want to be able to move roles within the organisation to gain wider experience. We train people up and champion and mentor them to enable them to do that. Even the most experienced technical experts need to keep up to speed with the latest technologies and thinking. We have partnered with TU Dublin to develop a programme for that.”
There is also a focus on early careers. “Our two-year graduate programme has three different rotations in different areas of the organisation. It’s not just for engineering grads; we recruit people from a variety of disciplines.”
For non-graduates, the EirGrid Earn and Learn programme is aimed at recent school-leavers, Downing explains. Participants on this comprehensive training programme are assigned a dedicated mentor, have the opportunity to undertake further education, and gain an understanding of how the electricity market operates across Ireland and Europe.
EirGrid also provides education support to gain qualifications for the benefit of both the individual and the business. “Our benefits include paid study leave and paid professional memberships to further support our staff in their self-development.”
That all adds up to a compelling package with purpose at its core, she concludes. “Our people are preparing the grid for a renewable energy future. If you want to work towards a more sustainable future, then EirGrid is the place for you.”
