Lead Piping Engineer

Piping Lead

Location: Reading, UK (Onsite)

Contract: 12 Months (Inside IR35)

Hours: 40 hours per week (Core Hours: 09:00 - 15:30)

Working Pattern: 4 Days Onsite | 1 Day WFH

We are seeking an experienced Piping & Pipelines Lead to join a major engineering project in Reading. This is an excellent opportunity for a highly skilled mechanical engineering professional with extensive expertise in piping and pipeline design, engineering, fabrication, quality, and mechanical integrity.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and provide technical expertise across all aspects of piping and pipeline engineering, including large bore and high-alloy process and utility piping systems, pipelines, storage vessels, and tanks.
• Develop, own, and optimise project piping and pipeline standards, specifications, and pipe classes to ensure safe, compliant, and cost-effective designs.
• Review critical engineering deliverables and calculations, ensuring compliance with regulatory, industry, and project standards while identifying opportunities for value enhancement.
• Provide technical oversight to contractor-led design, analysis, maintenance, and engineering activities for piping and pipeline systems.
• Collaborate closely with multidisciplinary teams to proactively identify risks, resolve technical issues, and support project delivery.
• Apply expert knowledge of piping stress analysis and mechanical integrity principles to optimise designs and improve performance.
• Assess the suitability and continued operation of existing piping systems using fitness-for-service methodologies and risk-based decision-making principles.
• Support engineering surveillance, technology deployment, equipment criticality assessments, and project optimisation initiatives.

Required Experience & Skills

• Extensive experience in piping and pipeline engineering within refining, petrochemical, energy, or process industries.
• Strong knowledge of piping design, engineering standards, fabrication, materials selection, and mechanical integrity assessment.
• Understanding of mechanical considerations associated with:
• Steam cracking units
• High-pressure hydroprocessing
• Sulphur and amine services
• Refinery and process plant operations
• Proven experience during Pre-FEED, FEED, and detailed design phases.
• Expertise in piping stress analysis and fitness-for-service assessments.
• Ability to evaluate deviations to standards using risk-based methodologies and provide practical engineering guidance.

If you're an experienced Piping & Pipelines Lead looking for your next contract opportunity, we'd love to hear from you.