Sr Lead Mechanical-Piping Designer QDC
Houston, TX - USA
Department:
Job Summary
QISG leverages Quantas comprehensive resources to deliver collaborative solutions for our partners energy infrastructure needs. We use in-house talent expertise and resources to plan design engineer manage conduct maintenance on and construct projects.
Our turnkey service capabilities provide our customers with efficiency consistency attention to detail and safe execution. The QISG team brings together Engineering Safety Quality Material Procurement QA/QC Right-of-Way Acquisition Scheduling Environmental Planning Permitting Title and Land Management expertise that ensure outstanding results for our clients.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The Senior Lead Mechanical-Piping Designer is a senior member of the QDC Engineering team responsible for the layout arrangement completeness and buildability of mechanical and piping scope on fast-track advanced technology projects. Working across the client Quanta engineering and construction OpCos equipment vendors and third parties this position makes sure the mechanical-piping scope is complete constructable procurable and compatible with the rest of the project scope before it is issued for construction (IFC). The Senior Lead Mechanical-Piping Designer reports to the (Sr) Engineering Project Manager QDC supports all projects in the division and serves as a mechanical-piping design point of contact between Engineering Procurement Field Operations and the client from proposal and early engineering through detail design construction startup and commissioning. As the QDC Engineering team grows this position is expected to serve as lead designer for mechanical-piping scope planning assigning and checking the work of QDC and OpCo designers and drafters.
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Design Layout & Arrangements
- Develop and review 2D and 3D mechanical equipment layouts general arrangements plot plans and piping routings for advanced technology facility mechanical systems including chilled water and condenser water plants CRAH/CRAC and in-row cooling liquid cooling distribution (CDUs and technology cooling loops) cooling towers and dry coolers fuel oil systems generator exhaust HVAC ductwork and associated underground utilities
- Produce and check design deliverables such as equipment location plans piping plans and sections isometrics pipe support and hanger details penetration and sleeve drawings tie-in details and bills of material
- Develop layouts that maintain code and manufacturer clearances maintenance corridors rigging and pull paths and access for operations; design in capacity for change growth and unknowns where the added cost is low (space dirt concrete and steel) to protect the schedule from late equipment changes
- Lead interference and clash detection in the 3D model; resolve or escalate clashes before they reach the field
- Review vendor and equipment drawings for nozzle locations connection sizes anchor points weights clearances and service access and incorporate vendor data into the model and drawings
- Apply applicable codes and standards (ASME B31.1/B31.3/B31.9 ASHRAE IMC/UMC NFPA IBC) and client design criteria to layouts and piping arrangements; flag deviations and requirements versus preferences
Scope Completeness Constructability & Procure-ability
- Review OpCo and third-party deliverables for scope completeness constructability and procure-ability; identify missing conflicting or unbuildable scope and drive it to resolution
- Confirm scope compatibility with other advanced technology scope systems and stakeholders. Raise questions early discuss and explore alternatives with engineers the client and the field
- Participate in and help lead constructability model (30/60/90 percent) and IFC readiness reviews; document review comments and verify their incorporation
- Support procurement with material take-offs requisition inputs long-lead equipment identification bid evaluation inputs and vendor drawing review; flag long-lead equipment whose lead times conflict with the construction sequence
- Perform quality reviews of drawings and models for inaccuracies omissions code compliance and adherence to QDC and client standards and provide recommendations
Engineering Construction & Procurement Coordination
- Facilitate communication coordination and document flow for mechanical-piping scope among the client Quanta engineering OpCos field execution teams and third parties
- Identify and remedy gaps between Engineering and Construction and between Engineering and Procurement; remove hurdles and resolve issues
- Coordinate equipment locations spacing routing cable and pipe rack sharing and underground conflicts with electrical civil-structural and instrumentation disciplines and with the field
- Collaborate with the Senior Lead Mechanical Engineer other discipline engineers and other discipline designers on technical completeness and compatibility providing designer input on how the scope will actually be built
- Support the Engineering Project Manager with proposal inputs early engineering scope definition deliverable lists and schedules for mechanical-piping scope
Change RFI & Documentation Management
- Review and respond to construction RFIs field change requests and redlines for mechanical-piping scope as assigned by the project team; implement redlines with precision and confirm accuracy before drawings are finalized
- Provide design input on the layout equipment material and schedule impacts of proposed changes so the project team can run them through the formal QDC change process rather than by informal agreement
- Keep mechanical-piping design documentation current in the project document management system (e.g. Procore) including drawing and model revision control as-built records and inputs to the project issue RFI and decision logs
- Document assumptions decisions and handoffs in writing so alignment is created by documentation rather than by meetings alone
Team Leadership Best Practices & Lessons Learned
- Serve as lead designer for mechanical-piping scope as the QDC Engineering team grows: plan and assign design work check drawings and models and be accountable for the quality and schedule of the mechanical-piping design package
- Mentor designers and drafters (QDC or OpCo) review their work and help build the QDC design standards as the team grows
- Capture lessons learned during the project; contribute to root-cause reviews of RFIs rework and design gaps and record the methods that saved time or money
- Contribute to developing and refining QDC mechanical-piping best practices standard details design criteria checklists templates and drafting standards and help roll them out to OpCos and project teams
- Identify scope design procurement and change risks early and raise them to the Engineering Project Manager with proposed mitigations in support of the Project Risk Wheel and project risk register
Field Support & Stakeholder Relations
- Travel to project sites to walk down installations verify field conditions and dimensions resolve interferences interpret drawings and support installation startup and commissioning
- Present layouts alternatives and recommendations in front of the client OpCos and field leadership; represent QDC professionally in design reviews coordination meetings and site meetings
- Be willing to speak up and ask questions; bring potential project-related problems and possible solutions to the attention of the responsible party
- Take personal responsibility for the quality and accuracy of his or her work; perform other duties as assigned
EXPERIENCE & EDUCATION
Candidates from industrial and EPC plant piping backgrounds (petrochemical power utilities process) with strong utility-systems and equipment layout experience are encouraged to apply; data center experience is preferred but not required.
- High school diploma or equivalent required; Associate degree or technical certificate in Drafting & Design Mechanical Design Technology Engineering Technology or a related field preferred
- Minimum 10 years of mechanical and piping design experience on large commercial industrial mission critical or EPC projects including at least 5 years in a senior or lead designer role
- Demonstrated experience developing 3D mechanical equipment layouts general arrangements and piping designs with minimal supervision and coordinating those designs across multiple disciplines and entities
- Proficiency in AutoCAD and in at least one 3D design and coordination platform used for mechanical-piping layout including clash detection and isometric or spool extraction; Autodesk Revit (MEP) with Navisworks is preferred and AutoCAD Plant 3D CADWorx SP3D/E3D or an equivalent plant piping platform is acceptable
- Working knowledge of the codes and standards that govern mechanical-piping layout (for example the ASME B31 series ASHRAE IMC/UMC NFPA and IBC) and the ability to apply them to equipment arrangements and piping designs
- Ability to read and interpret P&IDs flow diagrams equipment and vendor drawings specifications data sheets and civil structural and electrical drawings
- Practical understanding of how mechanical and piping systems are fabricated shipped rigged installed tested and maintained
- A builders mindset: motivated to help establish a new team and its standards comfortable working without a fully defined playbook and eager to create processes rather than only follow them
- Experience supporting construction RFIs redlines field verification and as-builts in a fast-paced environment
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Bluebeam or similar markup tools and project document management systems
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills; comfortable collaborating with multiple disciplines and companies and explaining and defending layouts to engineers field leadership and the client in design reviews and coordination meetings
- Detail-oriented and organized; able to deal with ambiguity work independently manage multiple projects and set priorities in a complex multi-party environment
Preferred Qualifications/Skills
- Data center or other mission critical facility experience (hyperscale colocation or enterprise) including chilled water plants CRAH/CDU distribution liquid cooling and fuel oil systems
- Experience on multi-company design-build or EPC projects where scope was split among several contractors and engineering firms
- Experience with Autodesk Construction Cloud/BIM 360 Procore and BIM coordination workflows (LOD 300-400 models shop drawing and spool coordination)
- Working proficiency in both Revit/Navisworks and a plant piping platform (AutoCAD Plant 3D CADWorx SP3D/E3D or equivalent)
- Familiarity with pipe stress and support design inputs (e.g. CAESAR II results anchor and guide locations expansion loops and joints)
- Field or trade background (pipefitting mechanical contracting BIM coordination or field engineering) on large industrial or commercial projects
- Experience developing drafting standards standard details design checklists and lessons learned programs
Travel/Office Location
- Houston TX office-based position supporting QDC projects
- Occasional travel (up to 30%) to project sites Quanta OpCo offices and client meetings for design reviews field walkdowns RFI resolution and startup support
- Specific targeted multi-week site presence may be needed during critical installation testing and commissioning phases
- Competitive Compensation
- Comprehensive Health Coverage - Multiple Medical dental & vision plans with 100% preventive care
- 24/7 telehealth (Teladoc)
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Company-funded HSA and pre-tax savings options
- 401(k) Retirement Plan
- No-cost Short- and Long-term Disability
- Employer-paid basic Life & AD&D Insurance
- Paid Time off (PTO) and 10 Paid Holidays
- Paid Parental leave
- Education Reimbursement and Professional Development
- Employee discount program and optional insurance offerings:
- Identity Theft Protection
- Accident Insurance
- Voluntary Life (spouse and child)
- Critical Illness
- Hospital Indemnity
- Pet Insurance
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race color religion national origin or ancestry sex (including gender pregnancy sexual orientation and/or gender identity) age disability genetic information veteran status and/or any other basis protected by applicable federal state or local law.
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer including disability and protected veteran status.
We prohibit all types of discrimination and are committed to providing access and equal opportunity for individuals with disabilities. For additional information or if reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application interview or hiring processes or to perform the essential functions of a position please contact us the Companys Human Resources department.
Required Experience:
Senior IC
About Company
Quanta has built the largest craft labor force in North America by uniting over 200 operating companies to tackle the most complex infrastructure challenges in the world.