Take the lead on piping design for complex vessel construction and repair projects in an active Rhode Island shipyard. This is a hands-on design leadership role for someone who understands not only how piping should look in CAD, but how it actually needs to be fabricated, installed, inspected, and maintained aboard a vessel.
Benefits and Compensation
- Competitive compensation based on experience
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- 401(k)
- Continued education and employee development opportunities
- Long-term career growth within an established maritime organization
- Opportunity to work directly with engineering, production, and shipyard operations
- Exposure to new vessel construction, repair, modernization, and advanced marine projects
- Stable, team-oriented shipyard environment
Requirements & Qualifications
- 10+ years of shipbuilding or marine piping design experience
- Strong working knowledge of ShipConstructor, AutoCAD, and Navisworks
- Associate degree in a related discipline or equivalent industry experience
- Advanced understanding of marine piping systems, connections, equipment, layouts, and installation requirements
- Experience developing and checking piping arrangements and spool drawings
- Experience reviewing production packages using red-line/back-fix processes
- Working knowledge of ABS and U.S. Coast Guard requirements
- Strong understanding of shipyard fabrication methods
- Ability to work safely within an active shipyard environment, including PPE, confined spaces, elevated work areas, and vessel access requirements
Must Haves
- Lead piping design efforts from engineering intent through production-ready deliverables
- Review piping models and arrangements for constructability, routing conflicts, equipment access, installation sequencing, and fabrication feasibility
- Develop and verify piping spool drawings and production packages before they reach the shop or vessel
- Work directly with production teams to resolve field conditions, red-lines, and required design changes
- Back-fix drawings/models so the engineering package accurately reflects approved production changes
- Check other designers' work for technical accuracy, completeness, and compliance
- Mentor junior piping designers and help establish consistent design practices
- Coordinate piping interfaces with structural, machinery, outfitting, and other vessel systems
Preferred Background & Skills
- Previous lead or senior designer responsibility within a shipyard
- New-construction vessel experience
- Vessel repair, retrofit, or modernization experience
- Experience working directly with shipfitters, pipefitters, welders, and production supervisors
- Strong 3D coordination and clash-resolution experience
- Familiarity with classification society review processes
- Experience designing piping for tugs, barges, ferries, workboats, offshore vessels, or similar commercial vessels
- Proven ability to balance engineering requirements with real-world shipyard constructability