Materials Engineer

at  Gas Networks Ireland

Gas Networks Ireland operates and maintains Ireland’s €2.7bn, 14,664km national gas network, which is considered one of the safest and most modern renewables-ready gas networks in the world.
Over 720,000 Irish homes and businesses trust Ireland’s gas network to provide efficient and reliable energy to meet their heating, cooking, manufacturing and transport needs.
The gas network is the cornerstone of Ireland’s energy system, securely supplying more than 30% of Ireland’s total energy, including 40% of all heating and almost 50% of the country’s electricity generation.
By working to replace natural gas with renewable gases, such as biomethane and green hydrogen, and complementing intermittent renewable electricity, Gas Networks Ireland is supporting Ireland’s journey to a cleaner energy future.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Engineering or Materials third level qualification to Level 8 with a minimum of 3 years relevant experience.
• Proven ability to produce high quality reports.
• You will be a strong team player and have a demonstrated ability to bring teams together.
• You will be a natural collaborator seeking out opportunities to share knowledge and improve results.
• You will have a clear communication style and will be able to influence others effectively.
• You are comfortable with change and have a demonstrated ability to identify opportunities for improvements and efficiency.
• You have demonstrated a commitment to developing new skills in yourself and others.
• You are results focused and have a track record of getting results through others.
• You are comfortable with making and taking appropriate decisions.
• You are committed to providing excellent customer service and have a track record of delivering excellence through others.

THE ROLE:

The Technical Development & Technical Training (TDTT) function within Gas Networks Ireland is responsible for researching, developing and proving technical solutions for introduction onto GNI’s network or incorporation as part of GNI’s operating methods, as well as for ensuring our people have the necessary technical skills and competencies to safely build, operate and maintain our assets. Encompassing the three pillars of Materials Development, Innovation Delivery and Technical Training & Competency Development; the TDTT function brings together all the capabilities needed to take network innovation initiatives and new programme concepts and then screen, test and develop these through prototype and pilot programmes; before handing over to BAU. The function also has the capability to oversee and manage the end-to-end technical competence and training requirements for the core organisation.
The Materials engineering area within TDTT is responsible for ensuring that all materials meet the necessary technical specifications and are subject to the appropriate inspection process before use in the network. The successful candidate will have: the ability to effectively diagnose technical requirements to develop material specifications, the ability to carry out material change impact and risk assessments, knowledge of process design, the ability to carry out material fault investigations and the ability to assist in new material development.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop a suite of sustainable material specifications for Transmission and Distribution materials that shall be used to procure materials associated with the installation, maintenance, repair and operations on existing / new gas pipelines, mains, services and installations.
• Supervise external service providers in the delivery of work items related to specifications development, material investigations and material risk assessments.
• Liaise with operations and design engineers and asset managers to convert design material requirements on the network and incorporate these requirements to provide suitable materials in a timely manner.
• Liaising with other departments to understand future expected duty on the network and considering how the materials available are best used to meet these requirements.
• Undertaking analysis, based on the asset performance and condition information available within the gas network to identify how material innovations in the marketplace can be best utilized.
• Support and deliver impact assessments of changes to standards and new standards related to the Engineering Requirements Document.
• Investigate material issues and develop appropriate technical solutions and mitigations.
• Communicating with the Materials Review Forum regarding proposed changes due to changes in design, standards and/or legislation.
• Reporting on existing & alternative materials, identifying new material suppliers and liaising with category business leads accordingly.
• Develop the GNI stock system to reflect current material requirements.
• Providing ongoing status reports and raising risks and issues as appropriate to the Materials Development Manager.