Piping Engineer

Job Title: Piping Engineers and Designers

Job Description

The Piping Engineer plays a key role in the engineering, design, and construction of process and manufacturing projects, with a strong focus on piping systems and mechanical integrity. This position is responsible for developing efficient, constructible designs, performing advanced engineering analyses, supporting field and startup activities, and providing technical guidance to less experienced team members. The role requires deep expertise in mechanical and piping engineering, design standards, codes, and materials, as well as the ability to coordinate effectively with multidisciplinary project teams.

Responsibilities

• Apply and adhere to department design and drafting standards in all project work.

• Review and understand project scope, specifications, and design criteria upon assignment to a project task team.

• Provide on-site technical assistance during startup to support successful commissioning and operation.

• Perform engineering activities including piping stress analysis, construction specifications, material procurement specifications, calculations, and piping estimates.

• Develop conceptual layouts and cost studies to identify the simplest and most efficient solutions to engineering tasks.

• Produce estimate-level preliminary designs and material take-offs appropriate to the level of project estimating being performed.

• Prepare detailed design calculations and sketches for materials of construction, ensuring they are neatly organized for efficient checking and use by drafters and designers.

• Assist the drafting group in resolving routine layout and detailing issues by furnishing clear sketches and sufficient detail for completion of engineering drawings.

• Collaborate with design leaders and engineers from other disciplines to ensure smooth information flow and timely completion of project deliverables.

• Review and check vendor drawings and other discipline drawings for mechanical and piping input, ensuring alignment with project requirements.

• Develop designs that optimize the use of construction materials, emphasize ease of construction, and meet client expectations for the completed product.

• Check calculations prepared by other engineers for accuracy, compliance with codes, specifications, and design criteria, and conformance with good engineering practice.

• Advise senior engineers promptly regarding identified design or scope changes and their potential impact on the project.

• Assist other engineers in developing and assembling scopes, drawings, and specifications into complete packages for mechanical purchase inquiries and procurement of equipment, materials, or subcontract pricing.

• Develop comprehensive construction specifications for mechanical and piping systems.

• Review fabrication drawings and construction submittals to verify conformance with engineering drawings and specifications.

• Perform fieldwork to gather field data, verify tie-ins, and provide construction support during installation and commissioning.

• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to less experienced drafting and engineering personnel within the department.

• Apply discipline-specific methods, practices, and techniques required to engineer, design, and construct process and manufacturing projects.

• Recognize, document, and communicate scope and design changes promptly to maintain project control.

• Coordinate work activities with teammates and the discipline lead to ensure alignment with project scope, schedule, and budget.

• Use advanced engineering techniques and analysis to develop and validate complex piping and mechanical designs.

• Estimate and schedule professional service hours and assess the progress and quality of mechanical and piping engineering and design work.

• Identify and develop work-sharing packages for interoffice execution support and provide leadership to ensure effective communication and execution within scope, schedule, and budget.

Essential Skills

• Proven experience in piping engineering and piping design for industrial projects.

• Strong background in mechanical engineering, including analysis of piping systems and mechanical components.

• Proficiency with plant 3D tools and workflows for piping and mechanical design.

• Ability to interpret and develop P&ID (Piping and Instrumentation Diagram) documents and related piping systems.

• Bachelor or Master of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from an accredited university.

• 10+ years of relevant industrial experience in mechanical engineering.

• In-depth understanding of applicable design standards and codes for piping and mechanical systems.

• Expertise in the knowledge, application, and specification of materials for piping and mechanical construction.

• Experience in developing piping material specifications and material procurement specifications.

• Strong knowledge of good design practices for sizing all piping systems, including compressible fluid systems.

• Proficiency in flexibility and stress analysis of piping systems.

• Ability to specify criteria for and select piping specialty items.

• Experience in the design of complex process and utility systems.

• Knowledge of manual valve sizing, use, and application.

• Knowledge of HVAC system application and design codes, including airside and waterside systems.

• Understanding of the application of piping supports and restraints.

• Ability to identify, apply, and specify safety valves and devices to maintain mechanical integrity of process and utility systems.

• Ability to identify, apply, and specify steam traps and liquid drainers.

• Experience estimating mechanical and piping construction quantities from conceptual documents.

• Strong coordination skills to work effectively with multidisciplinary teams and discipline leads.

• Ability to lead and manage work packages, ensuring communication and execution within scope, schedule, and budget.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Professional Engineering registration is highly preferred.

• Experience and knowledge in corrosion and metallurgical considerations for piping and mechanical systems.

• Proficiency with Plant 3D software for detailed piping design and modeling.

• Experience in assembling complete engineering packages, including scopes, drawings, and specifications, for procurement and construction.

• Demonstrated ability to provide technical guidance and mentorship to less experienced engineering and drafting personnel.

• Strong organizational skills for preparing calculations and documentation in a clear, checkable format.

• Ability to recognize and communicate design and scope changes promptly to stakeholders.

• Experience in supporting on-site startup, field data collection, and construction activities.

• Capability to develop conceptual layouts and cost studies to support project planning and estimating.

• Experience in reviewing vendor and fabrication drawings for conformance with engineering requirements.

Work Environment

This is a salaried contract position based in an office environment, typically working five days per week on site. A flexible schedule may be available, with some team members working four 10-hour days (4x10s) depending on project needs and leadership approval. The role is highly collaborative, involving close coordination with drafting staff and other engineering disciplines, and may include periodic visits to field or plant sites for data collection, tie-in verification, and construction support. Work is primarily performed using modern engineering and design tools, including Plant 3D and other mechanical and piping design software, in a professional setting focused on delivering high-quality, efficient, and constructible designs for process and manufacturing projects.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Houston, TX.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $80.00 - $95.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Houston,TX.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 25, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email View email address on click.appcast.io for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.