OverviewThe Senior Piping Lead & Subject Matter Expert (Piping SME) serves as the technical authority for piping engineering and design within the Design Department. This role provides expert-level leadership on piping standards, specifications, stress analysis, constructability, and overall system design for capital projects and facility modifications.The position is responsible for guiding complex technical decisions, ensuring consistent application of piping standards, and supporting high-quality design execution from early conceptual and FEED phases through detailed design. In addition to hands-on technical leadership, the role partners closely with Project Management, Engineering disciplines, Operations, and Construction to deliver safe, practical, and maintainable piping solutions. The Senior Piping Lead & SME also plays a key role in mentoring designers and strengthening piping technical capability across the organization.LOCATION: Plaquemine, LA or Riceboro, GA
Responsibilities - Technical Leadership & Subject Matter Expertise
- Serve as the primary technical authority for piping engineering and design, providing expert guidance on piping materials, specifications, specialty items, and applicable industry codes and standards.
- Act as the go-to resource for complex piping issues, including fitness-for-service evaluations, specialty piping applications, and non-standard design conditions.
- Provide technical interpretation and practical application of piping codes, standards, and company specifications across multiple projects and operating facilities.
- Review and approve critical piping engineering decisions and deliverables; serve as the escalation point for high-risk or high-impact technical issues.
- Design Execution & Engineering Oversight
- Lead piping engineering and design activities from early conceptual and FEED phases through detailed design and final deliverable issuance.
- Review and approve piping layouts, isometrics, line lists, and related design documents to ensure technical accuracy, constructability, and compliance with specifications.
- Perform and/or review pipe stress analyses, specialty piping evaluations, and tie-in designs as required by project scope.
- Coordinate piping execution with process, mechanical, civil/structural, electrical, and instrumentation disciplines to ensure consistency across models, drawings, and engineering documentation.
- Specifications Ownership & Standards Governance
- Own and maintain piping specifications, material standards, and design practices; ensure consistent application across projects and sites.
- Serve as a technical steward for piping standards, supporting updates driven by operating experience, field feedback, and evolving industry requirements.
- Identify recurring quality issues or workflow inefficiencies and implement improvements that enhance safety, reliability, and delivery efficiency.
- Support alignment between piping standards, P&ID conventions, document control requirements, and management of change (MOC) processes.
- Project Leadership & Stakeholder Coordination
- Act as the primary piping technical interface for Project Managers, Design Leads, Engineering stakeholders, and Operations.
- Support project planning and execution by providing scope definition, engineering effort estimates, staffing input, and schedule risk assessment.
- Participate in design reviews, constructability reviews, hazard analyses, and field walkdowns, providing technical guidance to resolve findings.
- Support vendor and contractor technical alignment, including review of vendor data, specifications, and integration into overall design intent.
- Mentorship & Technical Capability Building
- Mentor and coach piping designers and engineers, providing guidance on specifications, stress analysis fundamentals, and practical problem-solving.
- Support training and knowledge sharing related to piping engineering tools, specifications, and best practices.
- Promote consistent discipline practices and technical rigor across internal teams and contractor resources.
- Quality Assurance, Compliance & Field Integration
- Ensure piping engineering deliverables comply with applicable safety, environmental, and regulatory requirements, as well as internal standards.
- Perform or oversee quality reviews of models, drawings, and calculations to confirm accuracy, completeness, and proper revision control.
- Support the incorporation of field feedback, redlines, and operational changes into finalized engineering documentation.
- Collaborate with P&ID and document control teams to maintain alignment, traceability, and data integrity across engineering records.
QualificationsEDUCATION:
- Bachelor's Degree - in Mechanical Engineering or a related technical discipline, or equivalent relevant experience.
EXPERIENCE:
- Extensive experience in piping engineering and/or piping design within industrial, chemical, petrochemical, or process manufacturing environments.Demonstrated expert knowledge of piping codes, standards, and industry practices (e.g., ASME B31 series, ASME VIII, API standards).Proven ability to lead and review complex piping design deliverables, including layouts, isometrics, specifications, and technical calculations.Strong experience performing and/or reviewing pipe stress analysis and specialty piping evaluations.Ability to serve as a technical authority and escalation point for complex or high-risk piping design issues.
LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS:
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES:
- Experience leading piping engineering efforts during FEED and detailed design phases of capital projects.
- Background in piping specification ownership, development, and long-term stewardship.
- Hands-on experience supporting field walkdowns, constructability reviews, and resolution of construction or commissioning issues.
- Demonstrated ability to mentor and develop piping designers and engineers.
- Strong communication skills with the ability to interface effectively with Project Management, Operations, Construction, and multi-discipline engineering teams.
- Familiarity with 3D design tools and piping design software commonly used in industrial facilities.
BENEFITS:
- Competitive Salary
- Medical Benefits
- Dental Benefits
- Vision Benefits
- Flexible Spending Accounts
- 401(k) Savings Plan
- Vacation Days
- Incidental/Sick Days
- Paid Holidays
- Life Insurance
- Short-Term Disability
- Long-Term Disability
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Employee Development & Training
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of employees assigned to this position.
