Piping Designer

• Location 1334 Brittmoore Road,Suite 1327,Houston, TX, 77043,United States
• Job Category Piping Design, Mechanical, Checker
• Industry chemical, oil and refinery, industrial
• Employee Type FT Exempt
• Required Degree 2 Year Degree

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DESIGN TEAM IN HOUSTON, TEXAS

Job Summary:As part of Orion's Engineering Services Department, the Senior Piping Designer is responsible for leading, designing, and delivering piping systems for medium to large-scale industrial projects while serving as the primary design checking authority for the piping discipline. This role operates with a high degree of independence and requires expert-level technical proficiency, formal checker experience, and the ability to direct and quality-control the work of other designers.

The Senior Piping Designer may serve as Discipline Design Lead (DDL) or Project Design Lead (PDL) as assigned with experience in upstream O&G and desalination process.

Essential Functions

• Lead piping design efforts on medium to large-scale industrial projects, including brownfield modifications and greenfield installations, from concept through construction support.
• Independently create and manage complex piping deliverables, including equipment layouts, piping plan drawings, isometric drawings, MTO packages, line lists, and tie-in lists.
• Serve as the formal Piping Design Checker for the department, performing comprehensive technical checks of piping layouts, isometric drawings, equipment layouts, pipe support drawings, and MTO packages prior to client issuance.
• Review all checked deliverables against applicable project specifications, client standards, and industry codes (e.g., ASME B31.3, API, ANSI).
• Check isometric drawings and 3D models for dimensional accuracy, bill of material correctness, P&, constructability, operational safety, and clash-free routing.
• Issue and track check prints; ensure all marked comments are resolved and closed before final issuance.
• Optimize piping routes and layouts based on project constraints while ensuring efficiency, constructability, and safety.
• Conduct field surveys to gather data for design updates and resolve issues during construction phases.
• Review designs for compliance with industry codes, standards (e.g., ASME B31.3), and client requirements.
• Perform calculations to support design drawings as required.
• Take ownership of assigned tasks, ensuring completeness, accuracy, and timely delivery.
• Ensure proper use and application of CAD borders and drafting standards (both Orion and client-specific).
• Utilize 3D modeling tools to support project deliverables (e.g., Navisworks, CADWorx, AutoCAD Plant 3D, Smart Plant 3D).
• Provide day-to-day technical direction, guidance, and mentorship to piping designers and drafters.
• May assist the department manager in evaluating staffing requirements and planning project workflows.
• Coordinate with other disciplines (e.g., mechanical, electrical, instrumentation, structural, process engineering, civil) to ensure design integration and resolve interdisciplinary issues.
• Lead or participate in constructability reviews, HAZOPs, interdisciplinary model reviews, and other technical reviews.
• Manage client liaison on design-related matters and represent Orion's design standards in client and vendor meetings.
• Assist with vendor document review for piping specialty items to ensure compliance with project specifications.
• Support material take-offs (MTOs) and other deliverables required for procurement or construction phases.
• Utilize point cloud software or laser scanning technology as needed to support design accuracy and field verification.
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of Orion CAD standards, design templates, and departmental best practices.
• Act as Discipline Design Lead (DDL) or Project Design Lead (PDL) as assigned.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Management/Supervisory Responsibility:This position carries technical supervisory authority over Piping Designers and Drafters assigned to the same project. When acting as Discipline Design Lead (DDL), the Senior Piping Designer (Checker) is responsible for directing, reviewing, and approving the work product of all discipline designers on the project.

• Normal business office environment with moderate noise. The position typically performs tasks within the assigned office facility but will require site visits to customer facilities.
• Occasionally, will visit or may be temporarily assigned to work in an operating plant or at a construction site. This may require exposure to outdoor weather conditions, loud noise, work near moving mechanical parts, electrical energy, construction equipment, vibration, fumes, chemicals, and airborne particles. For site visits, safety glasses and other safety equipment are required depending on the task. Orion will provide all personnel with standard safety equipment.

Physical Demands:The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential…