Principal Piping Designer
Location: Aberdeen (minimum 3 days per week in office)
Discipline: Piping & Plant Layout
Reporting to: Lead Piping Engineer
About the Role
We are seeking an experienced Principal Piping Designer to provide high‑quality Plant Layout and Piping Design expertise across a diverse portfolio of projects. You will work with the latest CAD and digital technologies, supporting brownfield developments from Concept and FEED through to Detailed Design, Construction and Commissioning.
This is a leadership role, responsible for guiding a team of designers and ensuring all plant layout and piping deliverables meet the highest technical and safety standards.
Please note: This role requires a minimum of three days per week in the Aberdeen office to support team collaboration, design reviews, and project delivery.
Key Responsibilities
Design Leadership & Delivery
- Lead a team of piping designers, ensuring high‑quality delivery of 3D models, isometrics, general arrangements, plot plans, and pipe support details.
- Oversee all aspects of plant layout and piping design, ensuring compliance with project specifications, design codes, and client requirements.
- Plan and manage design resources, monitor man‑hour usage, and contribute to design progress reporting.
- Identify issues, highlight scope changes, and escalate risks to the Lead Piping Engineer.
Technical Execution
- Undertake site surveys as required (CSCS, CCNSG or equivalent may be needed).
- Apply strong understanding of plant layout principles, ensuring safety, operability, maintainability, and constructability are embedded in all design outputs.
- Interpret piping stress reports and incorporate findings into the design.
- Review and approve design deliverables, ensuring accuracy and alignment with standards and specifications.
- Review vendor documentation and integrate relevant information into the design.
- Liaise effectively with multi‑discipline engineering teams.
Digital & CAD Expertise
- Use advanced CAD tools including Aveva E3D (Model & Draw), Laser Point Cloud data, Navisworks Manage, and AutoCAD.
- Lead client‑facing design reviews, organise and chair model reviews, clearly articulating design rationale and managing action close‑out.
Health, Safety & Sustainability
- Maintain awareness of legal and organisational responsibilities relating to Health, Safety, Sustainability and Environmental performance.
- Ensure all activities align with company policies and client expectations.
About You
Technical Experience
- Proven experience leading small teams of piping designers, delivering work to agreed timescales and budgets.
- Significant piping design and plant layout experience within the Oil & Gas and Energy sectors.
- Strong background in front‑end layout, brownfield modifications, site surveys, and AFC deliverables.
- Solid understanding of major design codes, including ASME B31.3, and relevant UK legislation and standards.
Skills & Attributes
- Exceptional CAD capability with the tools listed above.
- Strong communicator, confident in leading design reviews and engaging with clients.
- Highly organised, proactive, and able to manage competing priorities.
