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