Pipe Field Engineer

Department: Engineering
Industry: Shipbuilding / Maritime

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced Pipe Field Engineer to serve as a critical link between engineering and production teams supporting vessel piping systems. This role focuses on piping build strategy, system routing, fabrication, installation, testing, commissioning, and field issue resolution for new construction and vessel modification projects.

The ideal candidate is proactive, results-oriented, and comfortable working in an active shipyard environment. This individual should bring extensive field and shipyard piping experience and be capable of translating engineering design into practical production execution while maintaining quality, regulatory compliance, schedule performance, and constructability.

Key Responsibilities

Piping Construction & Production Support

• Collaborate with engineering and production teams to develop piping build strategies for new construction and vessel modification projects.
• Monitor piping installation progress and identify opportunities to improve construction sequencing and schedule performance.
• Provide production guidance and piping-specific problem-solving support during fabrication and construction.
• Work closely with production supervisors, foremen, piping craft leads, and subcontractors to ensure proper routing, fabrication, fit-up, and installation of piping systems.
• Support the construction and installation of marine piping systems including fuel, ballast, hydraulic, cooling, bilge, and auxiliary systems.
• Provide on-site technical support during piping installation, testing, flushing, commissioning, and system turnover.
• Assist with resolving interferences between piping, structural, HVAC, electrical, machinery, and other vessel systems.

Piping Design & System Routing

• Plan and verify piping system routing while accounting for vessel structure, equipment locations, access, clearances, maintenance requirements, and coordination with other trades.
• Review and revise piping drawings for accuracy, constructability, and compliance with project specifications.
• Update piping drawings to reflect approved field modifications and design changes.
• Collaborate with engineering teams to interpret piping design intent and resolve technical issues encountered during construction.
• Identify discrepancies between engineering drawings and field conditions and develop practical solutions to minimize rework and schedule impacts.

As-Built Documentation

• Create and maintain accurate piping as-built drawings and redlines.
• Document field modifications and ensure engineering documentation accurately reflects final installation.
• Maintain clear records of design changes, installation modifications, and final system configurations.

Quality & Regulatory Compliance

• Ensure piping fabrication and installation comply with applicable ABS and U.S. Coast Guard requirements.
• Support inspections, pressure testing, flushing, commissioning, system turnover, and associated quality documentation.
• Verify piping installations meet engineering specifications, applicable codes, and accepted marine construction practices.
• Support safe and efficient shipyard piping fabrication and installation practices.
• Assist with deficiency resolution and project closeout activities as required.

Materials & Construction Planning

• Provide input regarding piping material selection, fittings, valves, and other system components.
• Assist with material take-offs, sourcing, purchasing, and material availability.
• Review installation requirements and identify potential material or constructability concerns before they impact production.
• Coordinate with production and engineering teams to ensure necessary materials, drawings, and technical information are available to support construction schedules.

Continuous Improvement

• Recommend improvements to piping layouts, drawings, fabrication methods, construction sequencing, and installation practices.
• Identify opportunities to reduce rework and improve productivity.
• Support improvements to engineering-to-production workflows and field documentation.
• Develop practical solutions to recurring piping fabrication and installation challenges.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Marine Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related discipline preferred; significant high-level shipyard piping experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience supporting shipyard new construction or major vessel modification projects with a strong emphasis on piping systems.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience supporting piping construction, fabrication, installation, craft management, or subcontractor oversight.
• Strong understanding of marine piping systems, materials, fabrication methods, installation practices, testing, and commissioning.
• Experience with marine systems such as fuel, ballast, hydraulic, cooling, bilge, and auxiliary systems.
• Ability to read and interpret piping drawings, arrangements, schematics, specifications, and field sketches.
• Experience developing and maintaining piping redlines and as-built documentation.
• Proficiency in AutoCAD required.
• Familiarity with ShipConstructor or similar marine design software preferred.
• Ability to interpret and apply ABS and U.S. Coast Guard rules and regulations related to marine piping systems.
• Strong understanding of shipyard production workflows and coordination between piping, structural, electrical, HVAC, machinery, and other trades.
• Proven record of supporting projects executed on time and within budget.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently and provide hands-on technical support in an active shipyard environment.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to work throughout an active shipyard and aboard vessels under construction or modification.
• Must have correctable vision to 20/40 and the ability to distinguish required safety colors and symbols.
• Must meet applicable respiratory protection requirements.
• Ability to stand, sit, walk, squat, kneel, stoop, climb stairs and ladders, and perform overhead work.
• Ability to work in confined spaces and maneuver through restricted vessel access areas.
• Ability to work in static or physically demanding positions for extended periods.
• Ability to work at elevated heights using scaffolding, staging, planking, or mechanical lifts.
• Ability to carry tools and equipment weighing up to approximately 75 pounds as required.

Work Environment

• Position is primarily performed in an active shipyard and marine construction environment.
• Work may be performed aboard vessels, inside fabrication facilities, and in outdoor production areas.
• Exposure to varying weather conditions, confined spaces, elevated work areas, fabrication activities, and active construction environments should be expected.
• Required PPE may include a respirator, hard hat, face shield, safety glasses, steel-toe footwear, safety harness, gloves, and other protective equipment appropriate to the work environment.
• Must follow all applicable safety procedures and immediately report unsafe conditions, incidents, injuries, or damaged equipment.
• Must be comfortable working in a production-driven environment and supporting established project schedules and deadlines.

Disclaimer

This job description is intended to describe the primary responsibilities and requirements of the position and is not an exhaustive list of all duties. Responsibilities may change based on project and operational requirements.