Permanent position available with a considerable portfolio of works for the next 5+ years
To build your career by assisting in the delivery of ‘leading edge’ engineering projects.
To work with a vibrant, agile and multi-functional team in delivering projects on time, safely, to budget and to the required quality standards.
To benefit from Kirby’s Career Development Programmes that will enhance your leadership capability.
To work with the best.
Excellent package on offer with room for negotiations

About Kirby Group Engineering
Kirby Group Engineering is an international multi-disciplinary engineering services contractor and leading provider of high-value engineering services to a number of ‘blue chip’ companies. Operating across Ireland, the UK, Europe and South Africa, Kirby has become the engineering service provider of choice in growth segments such as pharmaceuticals, data centres and power transmission and distribution. Our culture is innovative, collaborative and performance focused. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to grow and develop in a company committed to developing talent and rewarding performance.

Role Purpose

The group piping quality control lead is a group-level leadership role responsible for end-to-end quality governance, compliance and delivery assurance for piping systems across all projects. Acts as the technical authority on piping quality, ensuring consistent standards, weld traceability, NDT control, documentation integrity and supply chain compliance from tender through to handover.

This role ensures all piping scopes are clearly defined, understood, and compliant with applicable standards and regulations, and are integrated into business processes, procedures, and associated documentation. This role supports projects from estimating through the stages of the Kirby Way Project Delivery Process, ensuring consistent, high-quality execution.

This role owns piping standards and processes, provides coaching, technical support & training to project teams, and drives continuous improvement, compliance, and effective governance across all piping activities.

Role & Responsibilities:

Leadership, Governance & Strategy

Define and implement group-wide piping QC strategy, governance framework and minimum compliance standards
Act as technical authority for piping quality risks, escalation and decision-making
Establish clear ownership and accountability structures for piping quality across projects
Drive a proactive quality culture, shifting from reactive defect resolution to early-stage control
Lead engagement with Operations, Engineering, Commissioning, and Supply Chain leadership

Processes & Nintex Integration

Develop, maintain, and enhance piping processes, procedures, templates, and documentation.
Manage piping processes, ensuring clarity, consistency, and quality.
Identify gaps, overlaps, or inefficiencies within piping processes and implement improvements.
Develop processes for data centre liquid cooling technology loops.

Standards, Compliance & Technical Assurance

Own and maintain compliance with:
- ASME B31.3 / EN 13480 / PED 2014/68/EU
- Welding standards (ASME IX, ISO 9606)
- NDT standards and client specifications
- Other related industry standards
Define minimum compliance requirements by system classification (risk-based traceability approach)
Provide technical interpretation and guidance on:
- Welding procedures (WPS/PQR)
- Welder qualification (WQT)
- Material traceability requirements
Lead group audit programme for piping quality and compliance
Ensure lessons learned are embedded into standards and procedures

Weld Traceability & Material Control

Define and standardise end-to-end weld traceability model, including:
- Weld mapping and unique ID systems
- Linkage between weld, welder, WPS and materials
- Ensure full traceability to heat numbers and certification where required
- Establish requirements for:
  - Weld logs (field verified, ISO-linked)
  - Redlined isometrics and documentation control
  - Set governance for data integrity, audit readiness and GDP compliance
- Prevent common failures such as:
  - Missing or late weld logs
  - Misalignment between weld logs and NDT reports
  - Welder Qualifications
  - Machine Calibration
  - Gas traceability

NDT Strategy, Control & Performance

Define group NDT strategy, including:
- % requirements and application methodology
- Early-stage implementation (fabrication onwards)
Establish governance for:
- NDT planning (including exclusion zones, RAMS, sequencing)
- Third-party NDT vendor selection and approval
- Implement NDT tracking and early warning indicators to prevent backlog risks
- Ensure full traceability of NDT results to individual welds/system boundaries
- Lead investigation and resolution of NDT failures and systemic quality issues

Digital Platforms, Data & Reporting

Define and standardise use of group QC platforms (EIDA, ACC, etc.)
Lead development of:
- Weld/NDT tracking dashboards
- Real-time reporting (progress, compliance, risk indicators)
Ensure all quality data is:
- Structured
- Traceable
- Audit-ready
Drive integration of digital systems across project lifecycle (engineering, planning, Document control, construction, turnover)
Improve data visibility for leadership and project teams
Present piping performance trends and risks to senior leadership.

Supply Chain, Procurement & Vendor Governance

Define minimum quality requirements within procurement and subcontractor scopes
- Ensure:
  - Welder competency and certification validated pre-production
  - NDT providers meet competency and certification requirements
  - Clear responsibility of scope deliverables through RACI matrix
- Establish prequalification and audit processes for:
  - Fabrication facilities
  - Offsite manufacturing (OSM)
  - Field execution and delivery
- Provide input into:
  - Contracts
  - Technical specifications
  - Inspection requirements
- Enforce supply chain compliance and accountability

Tender & Pre-Construction Support

Support tenders by:
- Defining QC resource strategy and cost model (incl. inspection, NDT, turnover support)
- Reviewing specifications for traceability and compliance requirements
- Identify risks related to:
  - NDT scope and sequencing
  - Documentation requirements
  - Supply chain capability & span of control
- Ensure early definition of:
  - Weld traceability approach
  - Inspection & test strategy
  - Turnover/documentation requirements
- Align QC approach with programme, cost and constructability considerations

Project Delivery Oversight & Assurance

Coach and support PMs, engineers, quality, and project teams throughout delivery.
Provide oversight across all piping projects, ensuring:
- Compliance audits with group standards
- Consistent execution across regions
Intervene in high-risk / distressed projects
Support QC and engineering on the development of Turn over test packs and QC documentation.
Ensure:
- Adequate QC resourcing (e.g. welding inspectors & line walkers) from early stages
- Early mobilisation of inspection and NDT activities
- Monitor key KPIs:
  - NDT performance
  - Weld defect rates
  - Weld log documentation readiness vs fabrication progress
- Support successful system completion and handover

Training, Competency & Capability Development

Define and implement training frameworks for:
- Engineers
- Inspectors / Line walkers
- Welding inspectors (CSWIP)
Standardise competency requirements across:
- Welding inspection
- NDT understanding
- Documentation & traceability
Deliver:
- Training modules
- Inductions
- Toolboxes
- Specialist workshops
- Kick off meetings
Develop career pathways and competency progression for piping QC roles

Continuous Improvement & Lessons Learned

Lead structured lessons learned programme for piping quality
Identify recurring issues such as:
- Late NDT execution
- Poor traceability
- Documentation backlog
Implement preventative controls and standard updates
Use insights from audits, working groups, and project feedback to drive continuous improvement.
Benchmark against industry best practice
Drive innovation in:
- Digitalisation
- Offsite inspection
- Quality assurance and Quality Control methods

Key Deliverables / Accountability

Group Piping QC Standards & Governance
Weld Traceability Standard (multi-tier system based on specification and performance criteria)
NDT Strategy & Execution Model
Standardised Digital QC Platform Framework and ownership (ACC / Eida)
Supply Chain Quality Requirements & Project Audit Programme
Training & Competency Framework
Group Piping QC KPI & Reporting Dashboard
Lessons Learned & Continuous Improvements

Qualifications

10–15 years’ experience leading Quality Control / Quality Management within process piping and mechanical systems environments
Demonstrated experience in developing, implementing, and governing Quality Management Systems (QMS) across multiple projects or regions
Strong leadership capability with proven experience in stakeholder engagement, reporting, and influencing project and business outcomes
Strong technical knowledge of piping standards, welding, NDT, and traceability systems
Trade qualification, Bachelor of Engineering, Bachelor of Science, or Construction Management qualification preferred

Location & Travel

Base Location: Ireland (Dublin office, Limerick office, Portlaoise office, Galway office)
EU travel required (circa 50%) to support project oversight and governance

For more information on this role, or other Construction / Engineering opportunities across Ireland, the UK, Europe, or South Africa please review our careers page (Vacancies - Kirby Group Careers) or contact the Talent Acquisition Team at Kirby Group in confidence on +353 (0)1 454 0411.

Kirby Group Engineering is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace and welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates, regardless of race, gender, disability, religion, sexual orientation, or age.

Group Piping Quality Control Lead | Ireland

Benefits

Job Description