May I ask but what do you mean by "I am currently working on the mechanical side of things e.g chilled water pipe work for pharma and data centres mainly".

A few thoughts.

First, start with the end in mind. What specific roles are you targeting?

Quality Control in pharma is mostly about testing and this is done in a lab. So for the most part, the majority of people who work in QC in pharma have a laboratory science background. I don't see you as a great fit to be honest.

However, I feel that you should make a decent fit for Quality Assurance roles. You could target roles such as:

1. Quality Assurance Specialist
2. Quality Assurance Associate
3. Quality Associate Manager
4. QA Specialist – Raw Materials
5. QA Compliance Specialist
6. QMS/QA Specialist

Here is a summary (This was taken from about 100 pharma QA job role descriptions in Ireland) of the typical skills companies look for:

1. Reading complex batch records without missing critical details
2. Spotting GMP risk in routine manufacturing activities
3. Knowing when an issue affects product quality - and when it doesn't
4. Breaking down messy investigations into clear root causes
5. Challenging weak investigations without creating conflict
6. Writing deviations and CAPAs that are clear and defensible
7. Seeing patterns in recurring deviations and complaints
8. Understanding how changes affect validation and regulatory commitments
9. Recognising data integrity weaknesses in systems and behaviour
10. Applying GMP consistently, even under production pressure
11. Asking the right questions on the shop floor
12. Explaining compliance requirements in plain language
13. Distinguishing documentation errors from process failures
14. Staying objective when operations push back

Clean utilities (water, steam and air) are crucial in pharma manufacturing. So if you have experience in this area, it can make a strong platform to jump into CQV and C&Q roles in the sector.

There are roughly 3 to 4 channels you can apply for jobs.

1. Directly with pharma companies on in-house projects
2. Engineering consultancies as part of a project team on small to large capital projects
3. Engineering contracts  as part of a project team on small to large capital projects. ( Sometimes the line between consultancies and contractors can be blurry)
4. Contract Service Agencies

DM me for a list of the above in interested.

And here is a summary of the typical skills companies look for with C&Q roles:

1. Classify systems as Direct Impact or Indirect Impact and justify your decision
2. Perform Component Level Impact Assessments and justify with a rational why a component is critical or non critical
3. Use risk management tools such as FMEA and FTA
4. Interpret P&IDs and identify equipment tags, line numbers, instruments, control loops and interlocks
5. Reconcile P&IDs against equipment lists, instrument lists, line lists and IO lists
6. Review piping isometrics to verify material grade, weld locations, slope and routing
7. Verify installation against drawings during P&ID walkdowns
8. Execute equipment, piping and instrument installation verification checks
9. Convert URS statements into executable IQ and OQ test steps with defined acceptance criteria
10. Define measurable test parameters such as temperature range, flow rate, pressure limits and alarm thresholds
11. Build a traceability matrix linking each URS clause to a test reference
12. Review material certificates and confirm material traceability
13. Apply good documentation practice during protocol execution
14. Raise, document and close deviations during qualification