Principal Piping Designer

Overview

Principal Piping Designer –

Location:

Aberdeen (minimum 3 days per week in office). Discipline:
Piping & Plant Layout. Reporting to:
Lead Piping Engineer.

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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.