Mechanical Designer Piping Layout

Location: Charlotte, NC or Houston, TX
Employment Type: Contract-to-Hire

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced Mechanical Designer with a strong background in piping layout and plant design for a contract-to-hire opportunity with our client in Charlotte, NC or Houston, TX. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience developing piping layouts for large-scale power generation, energy, and industrial facilities.

This position will be responsible for executing piping design activities, developing 3D models and construction drawings, and coordinating with multidisciplinary engineering teams to ensure safe, efficient, and constructible plant layouts.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute piping layouts and plant designs, ensuring constructability, safety, maintainability, and compliance with applicable codes and standards.

• Prepare and review piping plans, arrangements, sections, isometrics, general arrangement drawings, and 3D models.

• Produce piping design deliverables, including construction drawings, material take-offs, and bills of materials.

• Coordinate with mechanical, process, structural, electrical, and construction teams to resolve design conflicts and layout challenges.

• Review vendor and shop drawings to ensure compliance with project specifications and design requirements.

• Interface with clients, vendors, and construction personnel to address technical requirements and project needs.

• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior designers, checkers, and drafters.

• Maintain engineering document indexes, design progress reports, and project documentation.

• Support project schedules, design quality, and overall project delivery objectives.

Required Qualifications

• High School Diploma or Associate Degree with relevant drafting or design coursework.

• Minimum of 10 years of piping design and layout experience within power generation, energy, or industrial facilities.

• Strong experience developing piping layouts for complex industrial plants and facilities.

• Experience with AVEVA E3D or PDMS strongly preferred.

• Advanced proficiency with CAD software such as AutoCAD, AutoCAD Plant 3D, MicroStation, or Revit.

• Proficiency with Navisworks and Microsoft Office applications.

• Strong understanding of piping design codes, standards, and industry best practices.

• Ability to develop detailed, accurate, and constructible piping layouts and 3D models.

• Experience coordinating with multidisciplinary engineering and construction teams.

• Strong communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.

• Ability to manage multiple assignments and meet project deadlines.

Preferred Qualifications

• Associate Degree or Certificate in Mechanical Design, Drafting, or a related discipline.

• Previous piping design experience supporting power generation facilities, including combined-cycle, simple-cycle, or thermal power plants.

• Experience with turbine buildings, Heat Recovery Steam Generators (HRSGs), balance-of-plant systems, and utility piping.

• Experience mentoring junior designers and supporting piping design teams.