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What does a plumbing designer do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read

Plumbing Designers are responsible for developing plumbing and drainage systems for residential or commercial areas. Their duties include providing design specifications to clients, producing schematics, achieving key performance metrics, and conducting quality assurance assessments. They contribute technical content for marketing purposes, sourcing equipment, and guiding internal departments on installation procedures. Plumbing Designers also prepare client proposals, supervise junior staff, and provide staff training sessions.

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Plumbing designer responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real plumbing designer resumes:

  • Lead the development of BIM modeling content for the architecture team as a direct report to the executive and lead architects.
  • Provide reports, coordination of shop drawings, review between MEP and structural.
  • Create plans from schematic design through construction documents using AutoCad and Revit for all MEP systems.
  • Generate BIM plans for clients, as well as AUTOCADD drawings.
  • Create sketch sheets to answer RFI's and construction conflicts.
  • Update HVAC drawings for reference book used by installers to be hand out at a conference.
  • Research axially swage elastic strain preload fittings as alternative to braze fittings on NFPA 99C piping.
  • Provide all RFI review for assign projects, coordinating with internal architects and project general contractors.
  • Coordinate with HVAC Designer/Engineer the location of any safe waste disposal and gas requirements for facility equipment.
  • Base within site office and having close working relations with the client, design architects, structural engineers and MEP engineers.
  • Research and construct electrical and plumbing specifications according to architects and developers.
  • Review and authorize drawings complete by mechanical, electrical and plumbing engineers and designers.
  • Create training seminar on how to use PowerPoint and the company presentation template effectively and provide custom companion materials.
  • Field verifications for condominiums in the forensic department.

Plumbing designer skills and personality traits

We calculated that 20% of Plumbing Designers are proficient in Revit, Plumbing, and Fire Protection. They’re also known for soft skills such as Listening skills, Mechanical skills, and Problem-solving skills.

We break down the percentage of Plumbing Designers that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Revit, 20%

    Supported coworkers jobs with Revit software SCS Phase II, MVE architects for Irvine Company jobs.

  • Plumbing, 18%

    Coordinated all Mechanical and Plumbing equipment locations within mechanical rooms.

  • Fire Protection, 15%

    Performed field survey of existing plumbing/fire protection equipment and piping.

  • MEP, 7%

    Coordinated between MEP and Structural consultants on multiple projects; developed furniture packages for several new and extensive renovation projects.

  • HVAC, 5%

    Updated HVAC drawings for reference book used by installers to be handed out at a conference.

  • Water Systems, 3%

    Developed Isometric Risers for domestic water systems and sanitary systems.

Common skills that a plumbing designer uses to do their job include "revit," "plumbing," and "fire protection." You can find details on the most important plumbing designer responsibilities below.

Listening skills. The most essential soft skill for a plumbing designer to carry out their responsibilities is listening skills. This skill is important for the role because "mechanical engineers often work on projects with others, such as architects and computer scientists." Additionally, a plumbing designer resume shows how their duties depend on listening skills: "design analyzed and evaluated project needs, created schematic designs and communicated effectively to project team and client. "

Mechanical skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling plumbing designer duties is mechanical skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "mechanical skills allow engineers to apply basic engineering concepts and mechanical processes to the design of new devices and systems." According to a plumbing designer resume, here's how plumbing designers can utilize mechanical skills in their job responsibilities: "specialized in mechanical rooms, bathroom groups and water entry systems. "

Problem-solving skills. plumbing designers are also known for problem-solving skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to plumbing designer responsibilities, because "mechanical engineers need good problem-solving skills to take scientific principles and discoveries and use them to design and build useful products." A plumbing designer resume example shows how problem-solving skills is used in the workplace: "solved contractor installation problems and participated in startup of plumbing and fire protection systems. "

Math skills. plumbing designer 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 plumbing designers do with math skills on a typical day: "design processes for casting design requires use of surfacing, merge, solidify, and published geometry and external copied geometry. "

Creativity. Another common skill required for plumbing designer responsibilities is "creativity." This skill comes up in the duties of plumbing designers all the time, as "mechanical engineers design and build complex pieces of equipment and machinery." An excerpt from a real plumbing designer resume shows how this skill is central to what a plumbing designer does: "manage documentation for inventory, remodel, and other architectural projects. "

Most common plumbing designer skills

The three companies that hire the most plumbing designers are:

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Compare different plumbing designers

Plumbing designer vs. Senior project engineer

A senior project engineer is responsible for monitoring the project team's overall process and operations from conceptualization until completion, ensuring the adherence to the clients' specifications, within the budget's goals, and the required deadline. Senior project engineers regularly communicate with the client regarding updates or necessary adjustments. They develop strategic procedures to finish the project efficiently by running diagnostic tests and troubleshooting discrepancies. A senior project engineer must have excellent communication and leadership skills to handle the team's performance and provide assistance when necessary.

The annual salary of senior project engineers is $36,335 higher than the average salary of plumbing designers.Even though plumbing designers and senior project engineers are distinct careers, a few of the skills required for both jobs are similar. For example, both careers require mep, hvac, and system design in the day-to-day roles and responsibilities.

There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, plumbing designer responsibilities require skills like "revit," "plumbing," "fire protection," and "water systems." Meanwhile a typical senior project engineer has skills in areas such as "project management," "construction management," "cad," and "ul." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.

Senior project engineers tend to make the most money working in the automotive industry, where they earn an average salary of $104,214. In contrast, plumbing designers make the biggest average salary, $64,207, in the construction industry.On average, senior project engineers reach higher levels of education than plumbing designers. Senior project engineers are 7.4% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 1.2% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Plumbing designer vs. Senior engineer

A senior engineer is responsible for overseeing all operations within a designated area. With years of experience and expertise, a senior engineer may take charge of establishing goals, deadlines, and budgets for a particular project. They must devise and implement strategies that would improve the quality of workflow and deliver significant results. Furthermore, a senior manager must also supervise a team of skilled engineers, leading them in the joint effort to reach the company's vision and mission, all while adhering to the safety standards and regulations.

Senior engineer positions earn higher pay than plumbing designer roles. They earn a $47,275 higher salary than plumbing designers per year.While the salary may differ for these jobs, they share a few skills needed to perform their duties. Based on resume data, both plumbing designers and senior engineers have skills such as "hvac," "system design," and "aided design. "

Each career also uses different skills, according to real plumbing designer resumes. While plumbing designer responsibilities can utilize skills like "revit," "plumbing," "fire protection," and "mep," senior engineers use skills like "java," "python," "architecture," and "c #."

Senior engineers may earn a higher salary than plumbing designers, but senior engineers earn the most pay in the start-up industry with an average salary of $125,167. On the other hand, plumbing designers receive higher pay in the construction industry, where they earn an average salary of $64,207.In general, senior engineers achieve higher levels of education than plumbing designers. They're 13.6% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 1.2% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Plumbing designer vs. Mechanical engineering internship

One of the primary responsibilities in a mechanical engineering internship is to follow directives from engineers and managers while gaining practical experience. There are instances when an intern must take part in crafting various materials under the supervision of a more experienced colleague, produce reports and paperwork, operate tools and devices, and provide assistance should anyone need. Furthermore, it is essential to report to managers and supervisors if any issues arise.

On average, mechanical engineering interns earn lower salaries than plumbing designers, with a $18,719 difference per year.By looking over several plumbing designers and mechanical engineering interns resumes, we found that both roles require similar skills in their day-to-day duties, such as "revit," "plumbing," and "hvac." But beyond that, the careers look very different.

The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, plumbing designers are more likely to have skills like "fire protection," "mep," "water systems," and "system design." But a mechanical engineering internship is more likely to have skills like "solidworks," "powerpoint," "mechanical design," and "matlab."

Mechanical engineering interns make a very good living in the hospitality industry with an average annual salary of $44,983. On the other hand, plumbing designers are paid the highest salary in the construction industry, with average annual pay of $64,207.Most mechanical engineering interns achieve a similar degree level compared to plumbing designers. For example, they're 3.2% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.6% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Plumbing designer vs. Chief engineer

A chief engineer is responsible for monitoring the engineering department's overall operations, ensuring performance efficiency, and everyone's strict compliance with the safety standards and regulatory procedures. Chief engineers manage the distribution of the tasks to the team, communicate with the clients and management for instructions and specifications, monitor expenses and forecast sales reports, analyze and approve designs, negotiate contracts, and process disputes. A chief engineer must have excellent knowledge of the engineering disciplines and exemplary leadership skills to handle the team's performance towards the company's objectives.

Chief engineers tend to earn a higher pay than plumbing designers by an average of $46,582 per year.While both plumbing designers and chief engineers complete day-to-day tasks using similar skills like plumbing, hvac, and commercial buildings, the two careers vary in some skills.

Even though a few skill sets overlap between plumbing designers and chief engineers, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a plumbing designer might have more use for skills like "revit," "fire protection," "mep," and "water systems." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of chief engineers require skills like "customer service," "life safety systems," "boilers," and "ladders. "

Chief engineers enjoy the best pay in the transportation industry, with an average salary of $114,862. For comparison, plumbing designers earn the highest salary in the construction industry.The average resume of chief engineers showed that they earn higher levels of education compared to plumbing designers. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 7.0% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 2.0%.

Types of plumbing designer

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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