CAD Administrator – Octave Engineering & Design Applications - Houston, TX

OVERVIEW

S&B Engineers and Constructors is seeking an experienced CAD Administrator to support the Octave engineering and design software portfolio, including Forte 3D (formerly Hexagon/Intergraph Smart 3D, or S3D) and Facets P&ID (formerly Hexagon/Intergraph Smart P&ID, or SPID).

The CAD Administrator will be responsible for the setup, configuration, administration, maintenance, and technical support of engineering and design applications across multiple projects. This position works closely with CAD Applications, Piping Design, Engineering, and project teams to ensure software environments are properly configured, maintained, and utilized to support successful project execution.

The ideal candidate will have hands-on experience administering S3D and SPID, strong troubleshooting skills, and a solid understanding of engineering design workflows in the refining, petrochemical, oil and gas, or industrial sectors.

ABOUT S&B

S&B is an exceptional full-service Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) company, proudly maintaining private ownership and operation for over five decades. With our extensive experience, we have successfully undertaken diverse projects across various industries, including Oil & Gas, Chemicals, Petrochemicals, Energy Transition, Power, and Pulp & Paper. What sets us apart is our unwavering commitment to safety, timely project completion, and cost-effective solutions. Our proven track record speaks for itself, as we consistently deliver outstanding results while adhering to the highest industry standards. Moreover, our company culture is unparalleled, fostering an environment of collaboration, innovation, and excellence. At S&B, we understand the value of our talented team, and we ensure they are rewarded accordingly. We offer a competitive compensation package, flexible and hybrid work schedules, and a comprehensive benefits program to attract and retain the best professionals in the field.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Responsible for a group of designers/drafters assigned to a single project or working in a specialized field.

EDUCATION

Normally requires a high school graduate with vocational-technical training in basic drafting technology and typically a minimum of eight (8) years related experience (or equivalent working knowledge/experience), or a two-year degree in drafting/design in technology and six (6) years related experience.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

This is the senior-level design position. Incumbent must be able to demonstrate a sound understanding of design concepts with minimal engineering input and a proficiency in utilizing manual and computer-assisted techniques for moderately-difficult design applications.

TYPICAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

CAD Application Administration and User Support

• Provide day-to-day administration and technical support for Octave Forte 3D (S3D) and Facets P&ID (SPID).
• Troubleshoot software, modeling, database connectivity, configuration, and user-related issues.
• Administer project environments, including configuration, user permissions, access, and maintenance.
• Support application catalogs, reference data, piping specifications, and component libraries.
• Assist users with complex modeling, drafting, software functionality, and workflow issues.
• Provide technical support for other engineering and design applications within the Octave portfolio as required.
• Coordinate with internal IT teams and software vendors to resolve technical issues.
• Mentor CAD users and provide technical guidance on software functionality and best practices.
• Provide responsive, customer-focused support to engineering and project teams.

Project Setup and Execution Support

• Establish, configure, and maintain CAD environments for engineering projects.
• Perform project setup and administration, including model structures, naming conventions, permission groups, drawing configurations, and project-specific settings.
• Support development, loading, and maintenance of piping specifications, catalogs, and reference data.
• Configure and maintain isometric drawing settings, drawing templates, reports, and related deliverables.
• Support SPID drawing environments, symbols, reference data, and project configurations.
• Work closely with Piping Leads, engineering disciplines, and project leadership to resolve application-related issues affecting project execution.
• Support data integrity, model consistency, and compliance with established CAD standards.
• Generate project reports and data extracts from engineering applications as required.
• Support discipline-specific Navisworks scripts and model coordination workflows.
• Assist users with complex design activities and resolution of project-specific CAD issues.

CAD Standards and Procedures

• Assist with developing, implementing, and maintaining CAD standards, procedures, and best practices.
• Ensure project CAD configurations align with S&B and client requirements.
• Support consistent application of CAD standards across projects and disciplines.
• Develop and maintain documentation for application configuration, administrative processes, and troubleshooting.
• Identify recurring technical issues, workflow gaps, and opportunities for process improvements.
• Support improvements to CAD environments that enhance quality, consistency, and productivity.

Training and Mentoring

• Provide technical guidance and mentoring to CAD users.
• Assist with developing and delivering internal software training classes.
• Lead training sessions on application functionality, standards, and workflows as assigned.
• Develop training materials and user guidance based on common technical issues and training needs.
• Support onboarding and training for new CAD users.
• Promote consistent and effective use of engineering and design applications.

Software Implementation and Upgrades

• Assist with implementation and deployment of Octave engineering and design applications.
• Support installation, configuration, testing, and rollout of application upgrades.
• Participate in testing new software versions, configurations, and functionality.
• Identify, document, and troubleshoot issues discovered during software testing.
• Support application integration and interoperability with other engineering systems.
• Assist with migration activities and implementation of approved software improvements.
• Coordinate with internal teams to minimize project disruption during software deployments and upgrades.

Research, Development, and Continuous Improvement

• Assist with evaluating new technologies, tools, and software solutions that improve CAD workflows and project execution.
• Identify opportunities for automation, standardization, and improved user productivity.
• Support development and testing of CAD utilities, scripts, reports, and productivity tools.
• Provide feedback on software performance, functionality, and enhancement opportunities.
• Participate in continuous improvement initiatives related to CAD applications and engineering workflows.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in engineering design, CAD applications, or CAD administration within an EPC or industrial engineering environment.
• Hands-on administration experience with Octave Forte 3D (formerly Smart 3D/S3D).
• Working knowledge of Octave Facets P&ID (formerly Smart P&ID/SPID), including application administration and project support.
• Experience with CAD project setup, configuration, administration, and maintenance.
• Experience managing application reference data, catalogs, piping specifications, and project configurations.
• Experience troubleshooting engineering application issues, including software configuration, database connectivity, and user access.
• Understanding of 3D plant design, P&IDs, piping design workflows, and engineering deliverables.
• Familiarity with CAD standards, engineering design procedures, and project execution requirements.
• Ability to provide technical support to engineering and design personnel across multiple projects.
• Strong problem-solving, communication, organizational, and customer service skills.
• Ability to work independently, prioritize competing requests, and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Three or more years of direct S3D and/or SPID administration experience.
• Previous experience as a CAD Administrator supporting large EPC projects.
• Hands-on piping design or P&ID development experience.
• Experience with Smart Engineering Manager (SEM) and engineering application administration.
• Knowledge of Microsoft SQL Server and engineering application database environments.
• Experience with S3D catalog customization, bulk loading, reference data management, and piping specification configuration.
• Experience configuring S3D isometrics, drawings, reports, and templates.
• Experience with SPID symbol libraries, drawing configuration, and reference data administration.
• Familiarity with other Octave engineering applications, including Smart Reference Data (SRD), Smart Instrumentation (SPI), and Smart Electrical (SPEL).
• Experience with Navisworks and multidisciplinary model coordination.
• Experience developing CAD automation tools, scripts, or custom reports.
• Experience supporting application upgrades, software implementations, and project migrations.
• Experience supporting geographically distributed engineering and design teams.

Travel requirements – less than 10% occasional travel

LANGUAGE SKILLS:

Ability to read, analyze and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of clients, managers, designers and engineers.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS:

Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference, and fundamentals of plane and solid geometry and trigonometry. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios and proportions to practical situations.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Occasionally may conduct or participate in a field trip to an operating plant or construction site. This requires normal hearing, the ability to stand, walk, reach, climb and balance, clear close and distance vision, depth perception and the ability to focus. Lifting to 25 pounds may be required.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Normal work environment will be a business office with moderate noise. Occasionally may visit or be temporarily assigned to work in an operating plant or at a construction site. This may require exposure to outdoor weather conditions, loud noise, work near moving mechanical parts, electrical energy, construction equipment, vibration, fumes, chemicals and airborne particles.