Engineering Lead

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title: Engineering Lead Natural Gas Pipeline Design

Job Description

This role serves as the subject matter expert for natural gas pipeline engineering projects and leads the design and development of complex gas pipeline systems from concept through delivery. The engineering lead ensures that all engineering deliverables meet applicable codes, standards, and regulations while providing professional engineering oversight, technical leadership, and mentorship to a growing team. The position focuses on safe, reliable, and cost-effective pipeline design and supports continuous improvement of engineering standards, processes, and tools within a highly flexible, remote-first work culture.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the subject matter expert for natural gas pipeline engineering projects and provide technical authority across all phases of the project lifecycle.
• Lead the design and development of complex gas pipeline systems, including route selection, material selection, system integration, and cost estimation.
• Ensure all engineering deliverables comply with applicable codes, standards, and regulations, including 49 CFR Part 192, ASME B31.8, API, AGA, NFPA, and state utility requirements.
• Review, approve, and provide professional engineering (PE) stamping for engineering documents such as construction drawings, equipment specifications, and strength and leak test calculations.
• Oversee quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) processes to ensure technical accuracy, design integrity, and regulatory compliance for all engineering outputs.
• Provide technical leadership by identifying, troubleshooting, and resolving engineering challenges that arise during planning, design, and implementation.
• Lead and facilitate design reviews, promoting best practices that prioritize safety, reliability, and operational excellence.
• Mentor and develop junior and mid-level engineers through technical guidance, coaching, and structured knowledge sharing.
• Plan and deliver technical training sessions, lunch-and-learn events, and other professional development initiatives for the engineering team.
• Drive continuous improvement of engineering standards, processes, tools, and methodologies to enhance efficiency and quality.
• Collaborate with drafting and CAD teams to produce accurate design drawings, cross sections, survey plans, and permitting documents for gas pipeline projects.
• Coordinate with internal and external stakeholders to ensure alignment on design requirements, environmental regulations, and utility standards.
• Support permitting activities by contributing technical input related to pipeline design, routing, and regulatory compliance.
• Promote a culture of safety, innovation, and accountability within the engineering team and across project engagements.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor of Science in an engineering discipline from an ABET-accredited university.
• 8+ years of experience in the natural gas and pipeline design industry.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license or active pursuit of licensure with a demonstrated willingness to obtain it.
• Proven experience delivering natural gas pipeline engineering design services, including distribution and transmission systems.
• Strong understanding of industry codes and standards, including ASME B31.8, 49 CFR Part 192, NFPA, and AGA manuals.
• Proficiency in pipeline engineering design, including routing, material selection, system integration, and cost estimation.
• Experience with AutoCAD and CAD-based design drafting for pipeline and utility projects.
• Demonstrated leadership experience guiding engineering teams and providing technical direction.
• Ability to review, approve, and provide PE stamping for engineering documents such as construction drawings and technical calculations.
• Strong knowledge of utility design practices and natural gas distribution design.
• Familiarity with permitting processes, environmental regulations, and survey plans related to pipeline projects.
• Excellent problem-solving skills with the ability to troubleshoot and resolve complex engineering issues.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to lead design reviews and present technical information clearly to diverse audiences.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience leading QA/QC processes to ensure technical accuracy and regulatory compliance.
• Experience in gas pipe design drafting, including cross sections and detailed construction drawings.
• Exposure to pipeline design within regulated utility environments.
• Experience coordinating with multidisciplinary teams, including drafting, permitting, and field personnel.
• Ability to develop and deliver technical training, lunch-and-learn sessions, and professional development programs.
• Interest in driving continuous improvement of engineering standards, tools, and methodologies.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects and priorities in a remote environment.
• Commitment to safety, reliability, and operational excellence in all aspects of pipeline engineering.

Work Environment

This position operates in a 100% remote work environment, with team members distributed across multiple states and time zones. The organization emphasizes a highly flexible, trust-based culture where employees manage their work around lifes responsibilities while maintaining accountability for results. Core collaboration hours are 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and start times are flexible based on the employees location, as long as most of the workday overlaps with core hours to ensure access to training, IT support, and team resources. The role typically follows a standard 40-hour workweek, and overtime is not expected, reflecting a strong commitment to work-life balance. The engineering team uses digital collaboration tools and CAD software such as AutoCAD to develop pipeline designs, survey plans, and permitting documents in a fully virtual setting. The company supports employee wellness through organized wellness events and fosters a culture of growth, investing in the expansion of transmission capabilities and maintaining long-term client relationships. No specific dress code is required beyond maintaining professional standards appropriate for virtual meetings and client interactions.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Chicago, IL.

The pay range for this position is $50.00 - $80.00/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)

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Chicago, IL.

This position is anticipated to close on Nov 4, 2026.

This is a fully remote position.

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 ziprecruiter.com 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.