Gas Networks Ireland operates and maintains Ireland’s €3 billion, 14,758km national gas network, supplying reliable energy to more than 720,000 homes and businesses. The network delivers more than 30% of the country’s total energy and 40% of its electricity generation.
We are dedicated to achieving net zero and advancing the energy transition through integrated planning and collaboration with the energy industry. To realise our vision and to be at the heart of Ireland’s energy future, we are committed to transforming our network to achieve net zero carbon emissions onboarding biomethane and green hydrogen.
We have a proud legacy, and our values guide how we work every day - drawing on our experience, doing what’s right for each other and our communities, and staying energised for the change ahead.
When you join Gas Networks Ireland, you become part of an organisation that invests in its people. We are committed to supporting your growth and wellbeing in a workplace where everyone can contribute and thrive.
The closing date for receipt of applications for this vacancy is 2nd of June 2026, and applications submitted after this closing date will not be accepted.
The Role
The Asset Delivery function within Gas Networks Ireland is responsible for the end to end planning, designing and delivery of GNI’s portfolio of asset development programmes. The Asset Delivery function brings together all the technical and project support resources needed to take high-level projects and programmes from the Portfolio Office and translate these through from detailed design and project planning, to construction delivery and handover to Asset Operations.
Reporting to the Design Delivery Lead – Compressors and Renewable Gas (Tx/Dx), the Senior Process and Functional Design Engineer will have responsibility for the detailed design of Process and Functional Design elements across the gas transmission and distribution network. The Senior Process and Functional Design Engineer will lead a team, plan, oversee, and audit, to ensure a high-quality and compliant design service is delivered in line with the requirements of IEC 61511. The successful candidate will be able to identify potentially dangerous elements of project designs; evaluate the severity and likelihood of related dangerous occurrences; and design a Safety Instrumented System to deliver the required protection, including maintenance recommendations for GNI Operations teams.
Duties and Responsibilities
• Work with internal and external design teams to deliver the design of GNI projects in line with IEC 61511 & IEC 61508.
• Manage a team of process and functional design engineers directing and guiding to meet project and programme timelines.
• Manage, develop and maintain the Safety Lifecycle from design to hand over at construction.
• Manage, develop and implement the Safety Requirement Specification ensuring industry best practices are achieved.
• Manage and progress Hazop/Lopa studies at the appropriate pace to support development of capital or Emergency Shutdowns.
• Manage the functional design demonstrating commitment to process safety and the robust management of hazards associated with projects with contracting partners.
• Ensure contracting partners adhere conformance with their management systems, relevant specifications and procedures, validate through planned audit schedules and raise and close corrective actions as required through continuous engagement.
• Manage and develop a consistent approach to functional design across the design. department including documentation and interaction with Regulatory and Safety Authorities.
• Challenge project teams (internal and external): assessing, auditing, and approving their Safety Instrumented System proposals.
• Challenge project teams (internal and external): assessing identified hazards; questioning their proposed Safety Instrumented Function (SIF) solution as needed to mitigate identified hazards.
• Assist teams in identifying functional risk items.
• Validate work by Engineering Service Providers.
• Validate work by internal design teams.
• Act as a Subject Technical Expert covering IEC 61511, IEC 61508, HAZOP, HAZID, HAZCON and LOPA studies.
• Point of contact for internal and external Functional Safety Audits for FSA1,2,3 & 4.
• Review and update Functional Safety Management System.
• Audit Functional Safety within GNI.
• Manage and issue recommendations to GNI Operations teams, oversee lessons learned and application of continuous improvements for functional designs.
• Performing other duties as assigned from time to time.
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
• Degree in Engineering (Process, Industrial, Chemical, Mechanical), Level 8, with a minimum of seven years engineering experience, preferably in the natural gas industry.
• High degree of knowledge and familiarity in the application of IEC 61511 within process industries or utilities.
• Preferably will have a level of certification to TUV Rheinland in Functional Safety or commitment to achieve certification.
• Familiarity with implementation of all aspects of Safety Instrumented Systems.
• Technical proficiency in Functional process design and pressure equipment specification.
• Excellent interpersonal and strong leadership skills and the ability to influence, advocate and persuade.
• Have a strong knowledge of QRA process and risk management systems e.g. Design Risk Assessment, HAZOP, Functional Safety, Safety Case etc.
• Have a working knowledge of relevant Gas Standards, Codes of Practice and Statutory Requirements.
• Facilitate the implementation and acceptance of change within the workplace.
• Provide coaching in the development of technical skills and abilities in others.
• Proactively identifying new areas of learning and using newly gained knowledge and skill on the job.
• Driver of high standards for individual, team and organisational accomplishment and delivering desired results.
• Proven track record with dealing with complex issues, proactively and in a timely fashion, along with the ability to communicate complex information to others.
• Ability to set own high standards of performance and delivering desired results.
Equal Opportunities Employer
Gas Networks Ireland is an equal opportunities employer, committed to providing a diverse, inclusive, and supportive workplace. Through our ibelong framework, we work to ensure that everyone feels respected, valued, and able to contribute.
We welcome applications from all suitably experienced candidates, regardless of gender, age, racial or ethnic origin, membership of the Traveller community, religion or beliefs, family or civil status, sexual orientation or gender identity, or disability.
We also value diverse career journeys and warmly welcome candidates returning to the workforce or bringing non-linear experience, including transferable skills gained through life and professional pathways.
If you require any reasonable accommodations at any stage, please contact us at recruit@gasnetworks.ie and we will support you to ensure a positive and equitable candidate experience. We offer hybrid working arrangements to help you balance work and life, and to support you in bringing your best to the organisation.
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