How to hire a lead piping designer

How to hire a lead piping designer, step by step

Here's a step-by-step lead piping designer hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a lead piping designer job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new lead piping designer
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a lead piping designer, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A lead piping designer's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, lead piping designers from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   This list shows salaries for various types of lead piping designers.

   Type of Lead Piping Designer	Description	Hourly rate
   Lead Piping Designer	Mechanical engineering is one of the broadest engineering disciplines. Mechanical engineers design, develop, build, and test mechanical and thermal sensors and devices, including tools, engines, and machines.	$37-75
   Engineer	Engineers are highly trained professionals who determine the feasibility of various projects, usually related to the construction industry. They are considered experts in mathematics and science, two disciplines that they need to use in designing and coming up with plans for projects... Show more	$31-62
   Project Engineer	A Project Engineer develops the plan that the entire team or company will undertake. The project engineer develops the plans, strategies, and goals of a project and then gives it to the management for approval and allocation... Show more	$26-48

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Autocad
   • Equipment Layout
   • P Id
   • Refinery
   • Navisworks
   • Chemical Plant
   • Plant Layout
   • Detail Design
   • CADWorx
   • PDMS
   • IDS
   • Bid Packages
   • ISO
   • Auto CAD

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage and maintain CADWorx databases, verify data accuracy, and create reports and queries.
   • Provide client 3D progress presentations using Navisworks.
   • Initiate and complete final existing piping modifications (PRM) for new rack support installations throughout MPC refinery.
   • Serve as direct liaison between refinery personnel and WorleyParsons management.
   • Check completed projects and revise documentation affect by modifications to reflect as-built condition of plant.
   • Analyze stress systems using visual and AutoPIPE computer aid calculations.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your lead piping designer job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A lead piping designer salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, lead piping designers' average salary in arkansas is 42% less than in california.
   • Seniority. Entry-level lead piping designers earn 51% less than senior-level lead piping designers.
   • Certifications. A lead piping designer with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a lead piping designer's salary.

   Average lead piping designer salary

   $111,648yearly

   $53.68 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level lead piping designer salary

   $78,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 17, 2025

4. Writing a lead piping designer job description

   A lead piping designer job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of a lead piping designer job description:

   Lead piping designer job description example

   **Title:**
   
   Lead Piping Designer
   
   **DESIGN SUPERVISOR - PIPING**
   
   Under broad direction, you will supervise and lead a group of piping designers on multiple small projects or one or two large projects. You will provide technical direction over this group and are responsible for coaching and developing lower level professionals. You will plan, budget, organize, and control an important segment of the overall project(s) and work with Project Management and Project Controls. Job role is responsible for a measurable asset such as an assigned staff and budget.
   
   This position is assigned to the KBR Newark, DE office. Flexible work schedule will be offered, with hybrid remote and in-office workdays.
   
   **RESPONSIBILITES**
   
   + Responsible for design, specification and services related to piping systems and piping layout including piping material selection, piping material line classes, standard and specialty piping components, pressure, weight and thermal analysis of piping systems, vibration analysis and piping support systems.
   
   + May lead of team of designers on multiple independent projects. Will be responsible for the overall budget, schedule, and quality of the piping group on assigned projects.
   
   + Assist in conducting Piping reviews of all project packages prior to IFC to ensure that quality procedures were followed
   
   + Review project design estimates and work scopes for each new project
   
   **REQUIREMENTS**
   
   + Minimum 15 years of applicable industry piping/mechanical experience within the chemical and industrial industry
   
   + Proficiency with 3D Piping software (PDMS preferred) & 2D MicroStation or AutoCAD is required.
   
   + Experience in navigating 3D models with Navisworks.
   
   + Experience in Microsoft (Outlook, Word, Excel, etc...) is required.
   
   + Ability to travel and work at client sites is required
   
   **PHYSICAL QUALIFICATIONS**
   
   + Work may be required to be performed at client sites and may require exposure to ambient temperature extremes
   
   + Work may require using and wearing personal protective equipment such as fire retardant clothing, hearing and eye protection, hard hat and steel-toed boots
   
   + Day-to-day physical requirements involve standard office activities including sitting/standing for extended periods of time, attending meetings, use of keyboard and mouse repetitively, lifting and carrying less than 20 lbs frequently, etc
   
   + Work may require moderate physical exertion including walking to operating areas and walking up stairs
   
   + May require walking the plant property
   
   **BENEFITS**
   
   KBR offers a selection of competitive lifestyle benefits, which could include a 401K plan with company match, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, AD&D, flexible spending account, disability, paid time off, or flexible work schedule. We support career advancement through professional training and development.
   
   **INCLUSION AND DIVERSITY AT KBR**
   
   At KBR, we are passionate about our people, sustainability and our Zero Harm culture.
   
   These inform all that we do and are at the heart of our commitment to and ongoing journey toward being a more inclusive and diverse company. That commitment is central to our team of teams philosophy and fosters an environment of real collaboration across cultures and locations. Our individual differences and perspectives bring enhanced value to our teams and help us develop solutions for the most challenging problems. We understand that by embracing those differences and working together, we are more innovative, more resilient and safer.
   
   **We Deliver - Together.**
   
   **KBR is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, veteran status, genetic information, union status and/or beliefs, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.**
   
   In compliance with the U.S. federal government's vaccine mandate, only candidates who are fully vaccinated for COVID-19 or have a reasonable accommodation or approved medical exception will be considered for this position.
   
   KBR is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, veteran status, genetic information, union status and/or beliefs, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

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5. Post your job

   To find lead piping designers for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any lead piping designers they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level lead piping designers with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your lead piping designer job on Zippia to find and recruit lead piping designer candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit lead piping designers, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new lead piping designer

   Once you've decided on a perfect lead piping designer candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new lead piping designer. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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