Lead Piping Designer

Department: Engineering
Industry: Shipbuilding / Marine Engineering

Position Overview

I’m working with an established U.S. shipbuilding company looking for an experienced Lead Piping Designer to oversee the design and development of piping systems for new vessel construction and repair projects.

This is a senior technical position combining hands-on piping design, drawing development, production coordination, and design review. You’ll ensure piping arrangements and production packages are accurate, practical to manufacture, and aligned with engineering specifications and shipbuilding standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and development of marine piping systems for vessel construction and repair projects.

• Produce and review detailed piping arrangements, layouts, spool drawings, and associated equipment drawings.

• Develop accurate production drawing packages that support shipyard fabrication and installation.

• Coordinate with engineering and production teams to ensure designs are practical and buildable.

• Review and validate production packages, including red-line markups and back-fix revisions.

• Ensure designs comply with applicable shipbuilding standards, regulatory requirements, and project specifications.

• Identify and resolve design issues throughout the engineering and production process.

• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior piping designers.

• Maintain accurate engineering documentation and drawing revisions.

Required Qualifications

• 10+ years of marine or shipbuilding piping design experience.

• Strong proficiency with:

  • AutoCAD

  • Navisworks

  • ShipConstructor

• Associate degree in a related technical field or equivalent professional experience.

• Extensive knowledge of marine piping systems, connections, arrangements, and layouts.

• Experience designing and checking piping arrangements, spool drawings, and associated equipment.

• Experience reviewing production drawing packages and implementing red-line and back-fix revisions.

• Understanding of ABS and U.S. Coast Guard regulations.

• Strong understanding of shipyard fabrication methods and production requirements.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Excel, Word, and Outlook.

• Strong communication, coordination, and leadership skills.

Additional Information

• Senior-level design position within a marine engineering and shipbuilding environment.

• Requires regular coordination with engineering and production teams.

• The role involves working in an active shipyard environment, including occasional confined-space access, elevated work areas, and areas requiring PPE.

• Must be physically capable of navigating shipyard environments and carrying equipment weighing up to approximately 75 lbs.

Darwin Recruitment is acting as an Employment Agency in relation to this vacancy.

Sebastian Prins