Graduate Chemical Engineer

About Us

Murphy is a leading international, specialist engineering and construction company founded in 1951 with a purpose to improve life by delivering world-class infrastructure. Operating in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, USA and Australia, Murphy provides better engineered solutions to infrastructure sectors including transportation, water, energy and natural resources. We also have a number of related businesses – Ground Engineering; Utility Connections; Plant; Process Engineering; Pipeline Testing Services; Specialist Welding Services and Electrical Services.

Murphy employs more than 4,300 engineers, professional managers and skilled operatives around the world. Together, we work as ‘One Murphy’ by directly delivering the people, plant and expertise needed to make projects a success. Murphy Water and Process Engineering, based Dublin and Newry, is a specialist in delivering municipal and industrial water and wastewater projects throughout Ireland and the UK.

The Role:

We currently have an exciting opportunity for a Chemical Engineering Graduate, based at our regional office in Cork to work alongside our experienced site and design engineers delivering multi discipline water and wastewater construction projects across Ireland and the UK. The successful candidate will join the Murphy Water Division, specifically within a dynamic Process Design team, where our core competency is the design of Water/Wastewater Unit Processes and hydraulic and pumping systems, as part of the overall development of municipal and industrial Water and Wastewater treatment process solutions.

The Graduate Chemical Engineer will assist the team with the production of reports, calculations and documentation to support delivery of projects and tender design proposals.

Murphy focus on recruiting graduates to participate in our highly regarded Graduate Programme offering both technical and soft skills courses to help your professional development and growth as a Chemical Engineer.  Murphy is committed to continued professional development of our graduates and our CPD Programme is accredited by Engineers Ireland. This role will provide candidates with the opportunity to develop your skills and gain valuable experience in the water sector, with the intention of encouraging personal growth and development to a permanent employee.  We place a strong emphasis on retaining our employees and developing future leaders to ensure that the company continues to develop and succeed within the industry. 

Key Responsibilities and Duties

• Employ Engineering Design principles and Chemical Engineering Design methodologies to determine optimum process design solutions


• Develop designs, both conceptual, preliminary and completed plans, of:


•  Water facilities and structures (raw water pH correction, coagulation, flocculation & clarification, filtration, disinfection, fluoridation, treated water pH correction and chemical dosing, storage and handling)


• Wastewater facilities (network systems, primary treatment, biological treatment, activated sludge process, nitrogen and phosphorous removal and digestion of sludge and sewage)


• Prepare design reports and detailed calculations


• Carry out research to support design decisions


• Familiarise yourself with and employ NI Water and all other relevant standards related to design of works’ elements


• Carry out hydraulic calculations and develop hydraulic profiles of water and wastewater treatment plants


• Develop and review Process Flow Diagrams, P&ID and Mass Balance


• Participate in HAZOP and ALM studies


• Develop Hazardous Area Classifications and Zoning Diagrams


• Present project details and technical information to colleagues and clients


• Liaise with clients, contractors, government agencies, local authorities and suppliers 


• Employ a range of specialist computer applications/simulation software


• Visit Treatment plants to carry out reviews of existing and proposed water and wastewater infrastructure


• Maintain an awareness of current regulatory and environmental issues in the water industry

General Duties

• Participate in, and positively promote, the Murphy Never Harm Programme


• Continually implement Murphy’s Safety Health Environmental Sustainability and Quality policies and procedure related to your role


• Undertake any reasonable duties expected of you.


• Carry out all work in accordance with health and safety and legal requirements


• Attend and engage fully in any learning and development activities that are deemed appropriate by your line management.


• Participate and engage fully in company appraisal/performance review processes and constantly work to improve your individual, your team and the wider group’s performance.

Note: In addition to these functions’ personnel are required to carry out such other duties as may be reasonably required in order to support the objectives of the Group/Company/ Operational Unit

Skills/Experience

• Site Experience (desirable)


• Design of industrial or municipal water/wastewater processes (desirable)


• Experience in AutoCAD (desirable)


• Full clean driving licence

Above all, we need people who will adopt our values and strive to live them:

• One Family, One Team, One Murphy 


• Always Deliver 


• Respect, Integrity & Accountability  


• Never Harm 


• Continually Improve 

Additional Requirements

• You need a full Irish driving licence due to the locations of projects.


• Eligible to work in the Ireland with a valid work permit if applicable.  Please note, we do not provide sponsorship.


• To provide you with the best development opportunities we may ask you to work away from your home location within Ireland during your 2-year programme. 

What Murphy Ireland offer in return

• Competitive salary and benefits


• Discretionary annual bonus and annual salary review


• Above market rate contributory pension scheme available from day one


• 27 days annual leave per annum. Holidays also increase with service


• Generous Private Healthcare Allowance


• Dedicated and continued investment in your professional development.


• Other Murphy benefits include retail discounts, cycle to work scheme etc

Murphy International Limited is unable to employ anyone who does not have the legal right to live and work in Ireland.

If you have any queries, please email [email protected]