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Lead piping designer vs design engineer

The differences between lead piping designers and design engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a lead piping designer and a design engineer. Additionally, a lead piping designer has an average salary of $111,648, which is higher than the $77,134 average annual salary of a design engineer.

The top three skills for a lead piping designer include autocad, equipment layout and p id. The most important skills for a design engineer are C++, UL, and project management.

Lead piping designer vs design engineer overview

Lead Piping DesignerDesign Engineer
Yearly salary$111,648$77,134
Hourly rate$53.68$37.08
Growth rate2%2%
Number of jobs49,802138,173
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 50%Bachelor's Degree, 72%
Average age4141
Years of experience66

What does a lead piping designer do?

A lead piping designer is primarily in charge of designing and drafting plans and layouts for developing and constructing pipe systems for water, gas, oil, petroleum, or sewage. Their job entails conducting extensive research and assessments, gathering and analyzing data, utilizing tools and software, coordinating with experts, and creating models for approval. Additionally, as a lead designer, it is essential to coordinate and lead junior designers in a joint effort to complete project goals while adhering to safety standards, policies, and regulations.

What does a design engineer do?

A design engineer is responsible for creating systems and applications based on their expertise. Design engineers work through client specifications based on business needs. A design engineer also provides recommendations on improving existing systems to boost its performance and increase efficiency. Design engineers must have an excellent command of computer systems, programming codes, and technical data to ensure the system's stability and high-quality processes. A design engineer should also have strong analytical and time-management skills to perform tasks and meet deadlines.

Lead piping designer vs design engineer salary

Lead piping designers and design engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Lead Piping DesignerDesign Engineer
Average salary$111,648$77,134
Salary rangeBetween $78,000 And $158,000Between $57,000 And $102,000
Highest paying City-San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state-California
Best paying company-Meta
Best paying industry-Technology

Differences between lead piping designer and design engineer education

There are a few differences between a lead piping designer and a design engineer in terms of educational background:

Lead Piping DesignerDesign Engineer
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 50%Bachelor's Degree, 72%
Most common majorDrafting And DesignMechanical Engineering
Most common collegeCarnegie Mellon UniversityMichigan Technological University

Lead piping designer vs design engineer demographics

Here are the differences between lead piping designers' and design engineers' demographics:

Lead Piping DesignerDesign Engineer
Average age4141
Gender ratioMale, 93.6% Female, 6.4%Male, 88.9% Female, 11.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 3.4% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 9.3% Asian, 10.3% White, 72.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%Black or African American, 3.2% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 8.2% Asian, 16.8% White, 67.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%
LGBT Percentage5%5%

Differences between lead piping designer and design engineer duties and responsibilities

Lead piping designer example 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.

Design engineer example responsibilities.

  • Utilize CREO surfacing to achieve stylize toilets and components.
  • Lead innovative cost reduction activities for MBD which lead to industry wide changes.
  • Develop software in MATLAB & LabVIEW to post-process data, analyze images, and automate test modules.
  • Participate in new product design reviews, lead DFM sessions with suppliers, and develop part specifications.
  • Validate specifications that achieve function requirements and Honda standards using FTA, FMEA, simulation, design logic & team collaboration.
  • Develop tools using Perl script to automate integration/verification process.
  • Show more

Lead piping designer vs design engineer skills

Common lead piping designer skills
  • Autocad, 13%
  • Equipment Layout, 10%
  • P Id, 6%
  • Refinery, 6%
  • Navisworks, 5%
  • Chemical Plant, 4%
Common design engineer skills
  • C++, 4%
  • UL, 4%
  • Project Management, 4%
  • Work Ethic, 4%
  • Engineering Design, 4%
  • RF, 3%

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