What does a piping engineer do?
Piping engineers are engineering professionals who are responsible for the creation of piping systems that transport materials such as oil, gas, water, and waste from one location to another. These engineers are required to draw the blueprints for the system and then assist in selecting materials that are used to build the pipes and other piping components. They must travel to the installation site of the piping system and conduct surveys on the land for any irregularities. Piping engineers must also participate in cost management meetings with decision-makers to ensure proper budget allocation for the project.
Piping engineer responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real piping engineer resumes:
- 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.
- Conduct field inspections, record keeping, RFI, and travele to jobsites.
- Create scope of work for estimating purposes as well as sketch drawings and designs.
- Check the PFD's on design and flow to equipment and chemical processing units.
- Develop conceptual design packages for plant expansions with Moore DCS & Honeywell PLC'S.
- Verify and authorize deliverable ISO to ensure quality standard while meetings customer satisfaction with the appropriate MTO.
- Evaluate software programs (CADDPIPE, CADWORX, and Rebis) to assist in the selection of software.
- Make field trips to plant to do walk downs, sketch and take pictures of new piping projects.
- Locate support locations and input calculated Caesar stress loads at support locations within the PDMS model for the piping system.
- Used PDMS software in various piping activities such as modeling, generating fabrication drawings, material take-off and model review.
Piping engineer skills and personality traits
We calculated that 8% of Piping Engineers are proficient in CAD, Engineering Design, and API. They’re also known for soft skills such as Creativity, Listening skills, and Mechanical skills.
We break down the percentage of Piping Engineers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- CAD, 8%
Skilled in Auto Cad 2007 and Excel spreadsheets; familiar with Pipe Stress Analyses Cesar 2 and other software.
- Engineering Design, 8%
Performed complex engineering design and analysis and provided technical leadership.
- API, 7%
Provide technical specifications of materials based on ASME B31.1, API and AWWA Prior for purchase, fabrication, and installation.
- Pipe Stress Analysis, 6%
Pipe stress analysis and troubleshooting of piping and mechanical facilities of Isfahan Oil Refinery.
- Caesar II, 6%
Conduct pipe stress engineering of piping systems as per ASME, ANSI B31.3code needs using Caesar II software program.
- Equipment Layout, 4%
Developed plot plans, equipment layouts, bill of materials for proposal, pipeline routing for development and general arrangement drawings.
Most piping engineers use their skills in "cad," "engineering design," and "api" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential piping engineer responsibilities here:
Creativity. One of the key soft skills for a piping engineer to have is creativity. You can see how this relates to what piping engineers do because "mechanical engineers design and build complex pieces of equipment and machinery." Additionally, a piping engineer resume shows how piping engineers use creativity: "created 2d & 3d assembly and layout drawings using autodesk cad and inventor technologies. "
Listening skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling piping engineer duties is listening skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "mechanical engineers often work on projects with others, such as architects and computer scientists." According to a piping engineer resume, here's how piping engineers can utilize listening skills in their job responsibilities: "communicated design criteria and specifications and helped troubleshoot the build. "
Mechanical skills. piping engineers are also known for mechanical skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to piping engineer responsibilities, because "mechanical skills allow engineers to apply basic engineering concepts and mechanical processes to the design of new devices and systems." A piping engineer resume example shows how mechanical skills is used in the workplace: "perform and coordinate the completion of mechanical and process equipment layout drawings with other design disciplines. "
Math skills. piping engineer responsibilities often require "math skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "mechanical engineers use the principles of calculus, statistics, and other advanced subjects in math for analysis, design, and troubleshooting in their work." This resume example shows what piping engineers do with math skills on a typical day: "used catia, patran/nastran (built fem models, pre & post processing), fortran, excel-spreadsheets, mathcad. "
Problem-solving skills. Another common skill required for piping engineer responsibilities is "problem-solving skills." This skill comes up in the duties of piping engineers all the time, as "mechanical engineers need good problem-solving skills to take scientific principles and discoveries and use them to design and build useful products." An excerpt from a real piping engineer resume shows how this skill is central to what a piping engineer does: "assisted in the resolution of heat exchanger non-compliance to specifications. "
The three companies that hire the most piping engineers are:
- Affiliated Engineers20 piping engineers jobs
- Stantec14 piping engineers jobs
- Burns & McDonnell8 piping engineers jobs
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Compare different piping engineers
Piping engineer vs. 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. Their duties vary and depend on the industries they work in. Responsibilities of these engineers include developing new technologies, designing products, and managing the projects until they are completed. Additionally, they lead the project team members to manage their schedules, design the project plans, and collaborate with key departments in developing new products.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a piping engineer are more likely to require skills like "engineering design," "pipe stress analysis," "caesar ii," and "oil gas." On the other hand, a job as a research and development engineer requires skills like "python," "r," "c #," and "solidworks." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Research and development engineers really shine in the technology industry with an average salary of $107,654. Comparatively, piping engineers tend to make the most money in the energy industry with an average salary of $121,118.The education levels that research and development engineers earn slightly differ from piping engineers. In particular, research and development engineers are 6.9% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a piping engineer. Additionally, they're 3.2% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Piping engineer vs. 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.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that piping engineer responsibilities requires skills like "engineering design," "api," "pipe stress analysis," and "caesar ii." But a product development engineer might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "solidworks," "product development," "project management," and "data analysis."
Product development engineers earn a lower average salary than piping engineers. But product development engineers earn the highest pay in the technology industry, with an average salary of $86,062. Additionally, piping engineers earn the highest salaries in the energy with average pay of $121,118 annually.product development engineers earn similar levels of education than piping engineers in general. They're 4.0% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 3.2% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for piping engineers in the next 3-5 years?
Dr. Galen Duree
Head of the Department of Physics and Optical Engineering and Professor, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
Piping engineer vs. Research engineer
Research Engineers are responsible for a wide range of duties, including researching and developing new technologies and prototypes, and finding solutions to improve techniques, procedures, and technologies.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a piping engineer is likely to be skilled in "engineering design," "api," "pipe stress analysis," and "caesar ii," while a typical research engineer is skilled in "python," "c #," "java," and "software development."
Research engineers earn the best pay in the start-up industry, where they command an average salary of $141,240. Piping engineers earn the highest pay from the energy industry, with an average salary of $121,118.Most research engineers achieve a higher degree level compared to piping engineers. For example, they're 11.6% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 8.3% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Piping engineer vs. Mechanical design engineer
A mechanical design engineer specializes in designing various mechanical devices that will be vital in developing machinery or large structures. One of their primary responsibilities revolves around conducting thorough research and analysis, establishing layouts and prototypes, producing progress reports, and working alongside fellow engineers and skilled professionals. Typically assigned in an office setting, a mechanical design engineer must visit construction sites or factories to test and observe equipment qualities. Furthermore, during production, there are instances when a mechanical engineer must coordinate with suppliers, contractors, and clients.
Types of piping engineer
Updated January 8, 2025
