Kirby Group Engineering is hiring a Group Piping Quality Control Lead

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