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Principal Designer Piping

Zachry Group


Job Location:

Downers Grove, IL - USA

Yearly Salary: $ 148000 - 211827
Posted: 13 July 2026 (30+ days ago)
Application Deadline: 19 November 2026
Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

Description

Zachry Group is currently accepting applications for a Principal Designer for our Downers Grove Design Center office location.



Responsibilities
  • Complete advanced/complex Piping Design and Equipment Layouts in accordance with Industry Practices using 2D CAD & 3D E3D Software and/or other 3D Design software

  • Ability to write execution plans for large caps and high complexity projects.

  • Ability to create detailed project schedules and review schedules for multi-discipline projects.

  • Ability to layout brownfield and greenfield facilities with understanding of equipment spacing criteria with respect to industry standards and operational/maintenance access and clearances

  • Ability to audit and validate the adherence to the Quality process and workflow of other designers on the project team

  • Serve as mentor for new and junior designers and drafters

  • Serve as the technical specialist for team reviews and design reviews on packages.

  • Ability to converse with the Client and identify scope change

  • Serve as a qualified expert in Piping capable of making key technical decisions on a project

  • Prepare construction documents which includes General Arrangements Piping Isometrics Piping Plans Material Take Offs

  • Prepare design sketches for use by drafting personnel

  • Create design sketches layouts and notes from field walkdowns

  • Ability to create as built P&IDs from field walkdowns

  • Develop stress packages to submit to Stress Engineering with understanding on continuations and required details on existing supports guides anchors etc. impact system flexibility

  • Possess understanding of more advanced thermal expansion and basic dynamic Stress analysis principals required when doing preliminary layout and work with Stress Engineers to optimize layouts on hot lines

  • Basic ability to import and use/navigate a laser scan with LFM.

  • Ability to lead large teams of designers and coordinate all required day to day workflow

  • Ability to review new proposals/RFQs and complete estimates for small and large caps work

  • Advanced experience marking up and coordinating vendor document review for major and minor equipment and coordinate logistics on the vendor document review process

  • Advanced understanding on standard instrument design and installation requirements and differences in technology with ability to navigate those design and installation challenges without supervision.

  • Ability to develop line study 2D drawings to develop hand take off MTOs to support cost estimates and to serve as the basis for detailed design.

  • Understanding of structural design and requirementsand impact to layout and pipe support loads

  • Initiate conceptual physical design requirements in coordination with appropriate responsible supervisors and engineers

  • Conduct and run model reviews including ability to collect and manage comments

  • Check and verify the discipline design on projects as a certified checker medium to higher complexity projects including ability to check equipment design and layouts in E3D using advanced field constructability and knowledge of fabrications means/methods

  • Perform all other duties as assigned



Qualifications
  • 15 years of experience and knowledge in the design requirements for respective discipline as they apply to petrochemical refining pharmaceutical or power plant construction projects

  • High school diploma orAssociates Degrees with drafting courses; Bachelors Degree preferred with design experience

  • Strong Piping Design skills in accordance with several Industry standards and codes (API ASME PIP etc.)

  • Knowledge of expansion joint design and associated differences with respect to types of expansion joints.

  • Knowledge of spring supports and functionality including differences between types of engineered supports.

  • Served in several field assignment specific to design constructability and means/methods on piping installation and fit up.

  • General knowledge of typical out of spec and specialty items associated with piping systems.

  • Advanced ability to navigate in 3D E3D model and Navisworks

  • Proficiency in Microsoft Suite Adobe/Bluebeam and Document Control Systems.

  • Advanced knowledge on FEL/FEED project execution staged gate process including understanding differences on execution between early FEL/FEED and detailed design.

  • Able to mark up and track master P&ID comments and ability to transpose line list information to drawings/documents

  • Detailed knowledge of major types of fixed equipment and rotating equipment

  • Detailed knowledge of and key design requirements of instrumentation

  • Understanding of basic NDE/T means/methods as well as basic knowledge of insulation and coatings

  • Advanced understanding of the overall Project Execution and Multi-Discipline project workflow and execution.

  • Self-starter with initiative and ability to complete deliverables and tasks with minimal supervision

  • Strong attention to detail and ability to prepare design concepts technical documents and drawings

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Commitment to quality responsibility high work standards and initiatives.

  • Comply and understand Zachry Groups culture and philosophies including all business objectives and goals.

  • Ability to direct and control the complete operation of a project guided by precedent and within the limits of established policies.

  • Appropriate use of confidential information which if disclosed may be detrimental to the companys interests.

  • Position requires a Whatever It Takes attitude and commitment.

  • Ability to clearly communicate information and ideas verbally and in writing

  • Bachelor or Associate degree preferred

  • Advanced knowledge on equipment and piping layout in several industries.

  • Construction Support Mechanical Completion and Plant Start up and Commissioning Experience

  • Extensive site assignment support experience

  • Large greenfield and brownfield project execution support

  • Extensive experience working with major fixed and rotating equipment and typical instrumentation in the field.

  • Advanced understanding of and experience working hands on with various instrumentation technologies associated with piping systems

Salary/Pay Rate:

In accordance with Illinois Equal Pay Act the expected salary range for this Illinois position Principal Desinger Pipingis between $148000.00 and $211827.20 annually. Actual pay will be adjusted based on experience geographic location and other job-related factors as permitted by law.

Benefits:

This position Principal Desinger Piping is eligible for participation in Zachrys Total Employee Rewards Program which includes medical dental vision life insurance disability coverage and other ancillary benefits. This position is also eligible for participation in the 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Employee will be required to communicate in person via telephone email video chat and software systems. Position will include visits to maintenance sites and industrial facilities requiring mobility (on ground and at heights) and the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) including but not limited to: hard hat safety glasses/goggles ear plugs/muffs masks/respirators safety vests gloves and work boots.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Employee will work in multiple environments including an office warehouse and in a trailer or building on sites. On work sites noise levels will be moderate to high. Job site will contain: light to heavy equipment vehicles small to large equipment materials communication equipment and tools people standing walking sitting signaling and talking bells whistles and alarms.

The above description covers the fundamental responsibilities of the Principal Designer. It shall not be construed as a complete listing of all miscellaneous incidental or similar duties which may be required from day-to-day.

ZACHRY GROUPis dedicated to providing a Safe and Drug Free work environment; and is an Equal Opportunity Employer.




Required Experience:

Staff IC


About Company

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Zachry Group is America's pace-setter in turnkey construction, engineering, maintenance, turnaround and fabrication services to the power, energy, chemicals, manufacturing and industrial sectors

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