JOB PROFILES

Pipeline Design Engineer

Salary
Graduate: £18,000 to £25,000
Employee with 10-15 years in the role: £25,000 to £50,000

Main Employers

• Water companies
• Water industry consultants
• Pipeline contractors
• Pipe manufacturers
• Specialist research organisations
• Comparable gas and petrochemical organisations

Job Profile
Pipeline design engineers are responsible for the laying out process equipment and producing piping drawings, including general arrangements, structural drawings, piping plans and isometrics, and instrument layout drawings.

Role and Responsibilities
Jobs will vary according to each employer; however you could expect to be involved in:

• Evaluating, interpreting and planning the development and design of water and wastewater treatment pipelines and pumping stations
• Working on urban pipeline projects, utility diversions and mains replacement
• Designing water distribution systems and wastewater pipelines
• Pressure management, acoustic detection and leakage monitoring
• Designing flood alleviation schemes, storm and wastewater gravity sewers
• Road and highway designs
• Project management, training and customer liaison

Qualifications
Relevant further education subjects include: Applied Science; Civil Engineering; Environmental Science (Physical); Geography (Physical); Geology; Geophysics/Geotechnology; Mathematics; Mechanical Engineering; Physics

Pipeline network careers can start at any level. At the practical level, this can involve laying pipes to managing major pipe laying contracts. At the technical level, work assisting the design of major pipelines will require qualifications, the minimum of which is an HNC in Mechanical Engineering or other relevant subject.

Management positions require a degree and probably chartered status. A second degree is helpful and could include an MSc in Civil/Offshore, Mechanical/Structural or Naval Engineering. Sometimes construction experience with pipeline systems and other disciplines such as marine terminals and subsea production systems will be an advantage.

Career Development
People working in pipelines can join at any stage. There is a natural progression from being a technician to engineer and manager, providing the appropriate training is taken.


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