How to hire a piping engineer

How to hire a piping engineer, step by step

Here's a step-by-step piping engineer hiring guide:

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

What does a piping engineer do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the piping engineer you need to hire. Certain piping engineer roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

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

   Yes

   No

   A piping engineer's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, piping engineers 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 piping engineers.

   Type of Piping Engineer	Description	Hourly rate
   Piping Engineer	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.	$36-73
   Research And Development Engineer	Research and development engineers generally execute research and tests on product ideas, develop new products, and perform redesigns. They are employed in many industries, including manufacturing, electrical, and science-based companies... Show more	$35-64
   Product Development Engineer	A Product Development Engineer is responsible for creating and testing new product designs. They collaborate with market researchers to evaluate market needs, existing competition, and potential costs.	$30-54

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • CAD
   • Engineering Design
   • API
   • Pipe Stress Analysis
   • Caesar II
   • Equipment Layout
   • ANSI
   • Data Sheets
   • IDS
   • Material Specifications
   • HVAC
   • Refinery
   • P Id
   • III

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage and maintain CADWorx databases, verify data accuracy, and create reports and queries.
   • Manage Jenkins security by providing specific access to authorize developers/testers using project base matrix authorization strategy.
   • Oversee both utility and process piping and supports using AutoCAD, CadWorx, CloudWorx and AutoPLANT.
   • Attend meetings conducting 3D model reviews utilizing Navisworks 2014 for both clients.
   • Design pharmaceutical piping plans and isometrics of USP water systems using AutoCAD 2000I.
   • Check and approve deliverable ISO to ensure customer satisfaction with the appropriate MTO.

   More piping engineer duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your piping engineer job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A piping engineer can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, piping engineers' average salary in hawaii is 40% less than in california.
   • Seniority. Entry-level piping engineers 51% less than senior-level piping engineers.
   • Certifications. A piping engineer with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a piping engineer's salary.

   Average piping engineer salary

   $107,432yearly

   $51.65 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level piping engineer salary

   $75,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 16, 2025

   Average piping engineer salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$133,103	$64
   2	Texas	$114,653	$55
   3	Washington	$111,364	$54
   4	Tennessee	$105,754	$51
   5	Arizona	$104,746	$50
   6	Louisiana	$103,548	$50
   7	Pennsylvania	$103,510	$50
   8	Connecticut	$98,807	$48
   9	North Carolina	$98,154	$47
   10	South Carolina	$98,051	$47
   11	Ohio	$97,918	$47
   12	Florida	$96,839	$47
   13	New Jersey	$96,551	$46
   14	Utah	$94,953	$46
   15	Colorado	$93,754	$45
   16	Oregon	$93,372	$45
   17	Illinois	$93,016	$45
   18	Missouri	$92,022	$44
   19	Oklahoma	$87,929	$42
   20	Kansas	$79,025	$38

   Average piping engineer salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Acme Cryogenics	$131,505	$63.22
   2	Chicago Bridge & Iron Company	$130,763	$62.87
   3	Principle Power	$130,668	$62.82
   4	Advanced Technology	$130,668	$62.82
   5	Amec Foster Wheeler	$130,668	$62.82
   6	Jacobs Enterprises	$130,664	$62.82	390
   7	CB&I Federal Services, LLC	$130,241	$62.62
   8	Valdes Engineering	$129,569	$62.29
   9	WorleyParsons	$129,419	$62.22	9
   10	Chevron	$129,318	$62.17
   11	Allegiant International	$129,262	$62.15
   12	Wood Group Mustang	$128,760	$61.90	12
   13	Randstad North America, Inc.	$127,341	$61.22
   14	KBR	$126,993	$61.05	51
   15	Nes Holdings	$123,879	$59.56
   16	Woods Services	$123,087	$59.18
   17	Callidus Technologies	$122,482	$58.89
   18	Linde Engineering	$121,516	$58.42
   19	FuelCell Energy	$121,028	$58.19
   20	Foster Wheeler USA Corporation	$120,112	$57.75

4. Writing a piping engineer job description

   A good piping engineer job description should include a few things:

   • Summary of the role
   • List of responsibilities
   • Required skills and experience

   Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a piping engineer job description:

   Piping engineer job description example

   Valdes is a 200-person, multidisciplinary, engineering, architecture, and project management company with an expert focus on technical excellence. Every client project is assigned a dedicated team of professionals who provide personalized services and solutions. The Valdes success model consists of streamlined work processes, attention to detail, technical expertise, and an unyielding commitment to client satisfaction, safety and quality.
   
   Valdes is guided by our purpose statement: We are talented people who thrive and achieve extraordinary results for our customers.
   Our core values reflect who we are, how we perform and what we aspire to:
   Integrity Critical Thinking Excellence Teamwork Passion
   
   Valdes proudly executes all work in the United States to maintain the utmost quality for our clients. We are a certified Minority-Owned Business Enterprise (MBE) and hold the following certifications:
   National Minority Supplier Development Council - MBE Certification
   Illinois Department of Central Management Services - BEP Certification
   City of Chicago - MBE Certification
   California Public Utilities Commission, The Supplier Clearinghouse - MBE Certification
   
   ResponsibilitiesEntry level knowledge within the Piping discipline with the capabilities and initiative to perform the following tasks Assists in the preparation of drawings, sketches and construction documents under the supervision of discipline lead Assist discipline lead in interpreting engineering drawings and specifications in the field Review of design documents to ensure level of quality Become familiar with industry codes, piping specifications, client standards and piping construction documents within the department Learn to read and understand basic P&ID symbology Learn to identify piping components Manage own time to stay within the project allotted budget Learn to develop basic piping design skills Become familiar with Piping/Stress department workflow Learn to develop and review project specifications Verify field conditions, constructability of designs, and assist in resolving problems during field construction All other duties as assigned
   QualificationsBachelor's Degree or higher in Mechanical or General Engineering 0-3 Years of experience working as a Mechanical or General EngineerMust be able to work in the US without sponsorship now or in the future Technical Competencies Basic knowledge of Piping / Stress Engineering discipline Good verbal and written communication skills Working knowledge of AUTOCad and or Microstation Strong attention to quality and detail's Solid Microsoft Office skills People Skills:Personable and able to work easily with others at all levels Dependable and self-motivated, with strong ethical principles Understand when to seek additional guidance from the department manager on project/process issues and/or discipline lead and when to research the solution on their own Comfortable approaching a mentor with technical or business related questions Competencies and Skill Sets continued: Ability to receive direction from department manager and/or discipline lead and incorporate instruction into completing tasks Ability to establish and maintain professional working relationships with client and co-workers Organizational Skills: Must be well organized and able to prioritize work Ability to set and track goals Ability to multi-task and work on more than one project at a time Able to commit to and meet project deadlines, and driven to provide outstanding service to both external and internal customers Must keep work area neat and clean
   
   Valdes Architecture & Engineering Company is looking for bright and talented people that want to take their career to the next level. We offer many rewarding career paths to challenge and engage our employees at all phases of their careers. Our office provides a team environment, and excellent working conditions, which allow individuals to maximize their potential. Valdes Engineering offers an outstanding benefits package including Medical, Dental, 401K plan, Company paid Long Term and Short Term Disability Insurance, Company paid Life and AD&D Insurance, Pet Insurance, a discounted gym membership and tuition reimbursement.
   EEO/AAE

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find piping engineers for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your piping engineer job on Zippia to find and recruit piping engineer 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 piping engineers, 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 piping engineer

   Once you have selected a candidate for the piping engineer position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

   You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new piping engineer. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

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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How much does it cost to hire a piping engineer?